by Patty King

Created on: July 18, 2010

“A woman's health is her total well-being, not determined solely by biological factors and reproduction, but also by effects of work load, nutrition, stress, war and migration, among others.” (van der Kwaak, 1991)

The need for periodic health screening for women can help to identify health problems early, at a medical phase where treatments are mostly successful or manageable. Below are list of recommended medical health screening for women:

#1. Breast examination: once a lady is 20 years of age, breast self- examination should be done at least once in a month, to dictate any abnormalities. Any unusual symptom like swelling, dimple, discharge, redness, unusual masses, or any change in look and feel should be reported immediately to a health professional, so that a mammogram and breast examination can be done, this screening may be able to dictate breast cancer in its earliest, and treatable phase

#2. Pelvic examination with Pap smear test: this screening is recommended for women starting from 18 years of age, or at start of sexual activity. This screening should be done yearly, but with a successful three or more consecutive normal anal examination, the screening can be done less frequently based on the instruction of your medical practitioner. During this screening, health professionals will look at pelvic area, internal, and externally for any abnormalities.

Smear test is done by gently scraping the inside of your cervix to obtain cells for the Pap smear, which is only be done by a health professional in medical lab; the test is done to inspect any signs of cervical cancer. This screening should be done by any woman who is sexually active at least once in 3 years.

#3. Colon cancer screening: This screening is done to check for colon cancer; it is recommended for women at age 50 and should be done continuous once every year. Though one can start the test earlier by looking for signs of blood on stool; it is called fecal occult blood test. Once over 50 years of age, start to have flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years, a procedure that uses a flexible lighted tube to examine the rectum and lower colon for any abnormalities. Individual with family history of colon cancer should ask their health professional of how often they need to do this screening.

#4. Blood Cholesterol screening: beginning fro age 21, women should have their blood pressure measured. This screening checks for high blood pressure, which is the causal agent

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