Ladies, in addition to a healthy lifestyle, there are other measures you can take to increase your chances for a long, healthy life: preventive screening tests. These help catch diseases and problems early, when they are most treatable. Talk with your physician about what screenings—including the ones below—are right for you and when and how often to have them.
| Screening | Age Range | Frequency |
| Pelvic Exam | Ages 18 and older | Annually for the first three years, then every one to three years based on results |
| Pap Test | Ages 21 to 65 | Once every three years* |
| Mammogram (breast x-ray) | Ages 40 and older | Every one to two years* |
| Cholseterol Test | Ages 20 and older | Every five years |
*The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) suggests that most women have a Pap test once every three years.
+Currently, the American Cancer Society recommends yearly screening for all women ages 40 and older. The USPSTF recommends screening every two years for women ages 50 to 74. Women should talk with their physicians about their personal risk factors before making a decision about when to start having mammograms or how often they should have them.