Your 40s: check-up checklist

Check out this check-up checklist and stay on top of the tests and examinations you need all through your 40s.

• Bone density test: When you hit your 40s, you don't need to worry too much about osteoporosis - that is, unless you fall into particular risk categories. Taking certain medications may speed bone loss, and certain medical conditions can compromise bone density as well. Ask your doctor if you are concerned about osteoporosis, especially if it runs in your family.
 
• Diabetes screening: If you are in your 40s, you may be at risk for type 2 diabetes. Your doctor can screen your risk by testing your levels of hemoglobin A1C (a blood test that reflects your average blood glucose levels over the last 3 months) or your blood glucose levels. How often you need to be screened for diabetes will depend on your risk of diabetes. If you are overweight, your risk of diabetes will probably be higher and you should be tested earlier and/or more often. Ask your doctor how often you should be screened for diabetes.
 
• Blood pressure and cholesterol: You're not at too much risk of elevated levels now, especially if you're following healthy heart habits like exercising regularly, eating a nutritious diet, and not smoking. Any time you go in for any health care visit, your blood pressure will be gauged, and you should get a cholesterol work-up every few years. If you fall into certain risk groups, your doctor may screen your levels more frequently or at an earlier age. You may be at risk if you have diabetes or a large waist circumference, or if you smoke.
 
• Pap test and pelvic exams: In your 40s, you should be having routine Pap tests every 3 years to screen for cervical cancer. Nowadays, there is little evidence to support the use of pelvic exams in detecting cervical cancers. That said, you may have pelvic exams done if you're experiencing gynecological problems like abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge.
 
• Breast cancer screening: Breast cancer is a very common cancer among women. The most accurate way to screen for breast cancer involves mammography, which is an X-ray examination of the breast. Some provinces or territories will recommend breast cancer screening with mammography for women starting in their 40s, whereas others will suggest routine testing starting at 50 years of age. Other types of examinations previously used for breast cancer screening like MRIs, clinical breast exams, and self-examinations are no longer recommended.
 
• Skin check: Anyone at any age can develop skin cancer. In addition to minimizing your risk with healthy sun habits, your health care provider should do a thorough skin check to screen for new or changed moles or marks. You can also do a skin check yourself (or with a helpful partner). Remember the letters ABCDE when looking at skin growths:
  • Asymmetry (not round)
  • Border (irregular)
  • Colour (uneven, changing, different from other moles)
  • Diameter (larger than a pencil eraser)
  • Evolving (changing in size, shape, or colour)

If anything seems out of the ordinary or alarming, contact your doctor.

• Dental check-ups: Visit your dentist for preventive check-ups and routine cleanings. The frequency of visits will really depend on individual needs, though most authorities on the subject recommend at least once or twice a year.
 
• Eye exams: Even if your vision is 20/20, you should have your eyes examined every 2 years. After all, optometrists check for other things besides how good your vision is - like signs of glaucoma. If you have a condition like diabetes or high blood pressure, or a family history of vision problems, your optometrist will let you know if you need more frequent eye exams and check-ups.
 
• Immunizations: You think shots are just for kids? Certain vaccinations you received as a child may need to be updated, while other immunizations are available that can protect you from needless health issues. Ask your doctor if you're due for any of these:
   
  • Get shots to protect you from measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) if you've never had the vaccination before. Should you find yourself in certain risk situations, you'd also need the MMR vaccination. Those risky situations include working in health care, attending college, and travelling to certain countries.
   
  • The tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine is recommended for anyone whose last Tdap shot was more than 10 years ago. Others who should get the Tdap include those who work in close contact with infants, those who plan on becoming pregnant, and those who have received a "dirty" wound (e.g., from a rusted nail).
   
  • Each year, get the influenza vaccine. The flu shot is especially important if you have medical conditions that put you at risk of complications from the flu.
   
  • Considering world travel? Consider being vaccinated against meningitis and hepatitis A and B, and consult with a travel clinician or your doctor in regards to other risks of particular destinations.
   
  • If you never had chickenpox as a youngster, you should get vaccinated against it now. And if you're unsure whether you did, go ahead and get the vaccination, just in case. It's a good idea to get it, too, if you're hoping to get pregnant sometime in the future and don't know if you're immune to chickenpox. Hold off, though, if you're already pregnant (or hope to be within several weeks of vaccination). 

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Your-40s-A-Health-Guide-for-Women