Womens Health Screenings | Baylor Scott & White Health

Health screenings to protect your well-being

You can take a proactive approach to your health with screenings. Health screenings assess your risk of certain conditions, identify warning signs before you notice symptoms, and help you develop a smart prevention plan, so you can feel confident in your health journey.

You’ll get the support you need from the primary care and women’s health providers at Baylor Scott & White, who are dedicated to protecting your health with the screenings you need, tailored to your age and level of risk.

Group of women smiling after completing their health screenings

Heart health screenings

Heart health screenings help identify your risk for heart disease, heart attacks and stroke. Your primary care provider will perform tests to detect:

High blood pressure
High blood sugar: A screening for diabetes or its precursor, prediabetes
High cholesterol

You should begin basic heart screenings early in adulthood to establish a baseline. Because heart disease risk increases with age, you may need additional tests as you get older.

These screenings can detect heart problems early, making it easier to manage your symptoms and make your treatment more effective. If some of your test results show any cause for concern, you can start making simple lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, to protect your heart health.

A woman out for a jog keeping her heart healthy

Bone health screenings

For most women, bone density declines with age. Because of this, bone density tests are usually recommended for women aged 65 and older.

A bone density test called a DEXA scan measures calcium and other minerals in the bones. This test can identify osteopenia or osteoporosis (loss of bone mass) and estimate your risk of future bone fractures.

Mammograms

Mammograms are a type of health screening that can help your provider identify breast cancer early, when treatments are more likely to be successful.

Mammograms can detect breast lumps when they are too small to be felt and before you notice any breast cancer symptoms. They can also show benign (non-cancerous) conditions, such as cysts and fibroadenomas.

When you should start having screening mammograms and how often you need them depends on your risk for breast cancer. For women at average risk, it’s recommended to start annual screenings at age 40. Talk with your provider about your risk for breast cancer.

A mom and her two daughters hugging at the back of a car

Additional cancer screenings

Many women understand the importance of mammograms for breast cancer, but several other health screenings are a crucial part of your healthcare journey.

Women’s mental health screenings

Mental health often affects women differently. As a result, the treatments may vary between men and women. Your primary care or women’s health provider can screen you for mental health issues and help you find the treatment and resources you need.

Never feel shy or embarrassed about discussing your mental health with your healthcare team. Depression, anxiety and even social isolation can prevent you from living a full life, and your provider can be a valuable resource in finding support.

Health screenings for women by age

The right screenings and schedules for you depend on many factors, including your age, genetic makeup, lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and family and personal medical histories.

The screening guidelines listed below are based on people at average risk. If you have an increased risk for heart disease, cancer or osteoporosis, you may need to begin these screenings earlier or have them more frequently than the timeframes listed below. Your primary care provider can tell you which screenings you need and when, to create a timeline tailored to your needs.

Screenings in your 20s

Cholesterol: At least every 5 years
Pap/HPV test: Pap test every 1-3 years or Pap/HPV co-test every 5 years
Skin exam: Yearly
Breast exam: Yearly

Screenings in your 30s

Cholesterol: At least every 5 years
Pap/HPV test Pap test: every 1-3 years or Pap/HPV co-test every 5 years
Skin exam: Yearly
Breast exam: Yearly

Screenings in your 40s

Cholesterol: At least every 5 years
Colonoscopy: Recommended to start at age 45
Mammogram: Yearly, beginning at 40
Pap/HPV test: Pap test every 1-3 years or Pap/HPV co-test every 5 years
Skin exam: Yearly
Breast exam: Yearly

Screenings in your 50s

Cholesterol: At least every 5 years
Colonoscopy: Every 10 years or based on risk
Lung cancer screening: Annually, if you qualify, starting at 50
Mammogram: Yearly
Pap/HPV test: Pap test every 1-3 years or Pap/HPV co-test every 5 years
Skin exam: Yearly
Breast exam: Yearly

Screenings in your 60s

Bone density: DEXA scan at age 65
Cholesterol: At least every 5 years
Colonoscopy: Every 10 years or based on risk
Lung cancer screening: Annually, if you qualify
Mammogram: Yearly
Pap/HPV test: Pap test every 1-3 years or Pap/HPV co-test every 5 years
Skin exam: Yearly
Breast exam: Yearly

Screenings at age 70+

Cholesterol: At least every 5 years
Colonoscopy: Every 10 years or based on risk
Lung cancer screening: Annually, if you qualify, until age 80
Mammogram: Yearly
Skin exam: Yearly
Breast exam: Yearly

Find a location near you

Your OBGYN or gynecologist can help you understand which screenings you need and when. Find a provider at a Baylor Scott & White women’s health center in your neighborhood.

Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth

1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104

Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth

1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104

Health screenings to protect your well-being

Heart health screenings

Bone health screenings

Mammograms

Additional cancer screenings

Cervical cancer

Colorectal cancer

Lung cancer

Skin cancer

Women’s mental health screenings

Health screenings for women by age

Screenings in your 20s

Screenings in your 30s

Screenings in your 40s

Screenings in your 50s

Screenings in your 60s

Screenings at age 70+

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