Catawba Valley Medical Center
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Health & Wellness

Women’s Screenings

The following medical screenings are recommended for women from age 18 through adulthood. Some screenings, such as cholesterol, blood pressure and bone density, are offered on a regular basis for free or at low cost at the Health First Center. Check our monthly schedule of events for upcoming screenings.

Women Aged 18-39*

  • Full Checkup with Height, Weight, Skin and Pelvic Exams at least every 3 years
  • Blood Pressure Check yearly
  • Blood Tests for Diabetes, Cholesterol, and Kidney at least every 3 years
  • Women should be familiar with their breasts and report changes promptly to their healthcare provider
  • Women aged 21-29 should have Pap Smears every 3 years; women 30-39 should have a Pap Smear and HPV Test every 5 years or a Pap Smear every 3 years
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases – both partners should get tested, including HIV before initiating sexual intercourse
  • Eye and Ear Exams, if problems occur
  • Dental Exam is recommended 1 to 2 times a year
  • Tetanus-Diphtheria Booster every 10 years
  • Influenza Vaccine annually
  • If not previously vaccinated, women up to 26 should receive the HPV vaccine

Women Aged 40-49*

  • Full Checkup with Height, Weight, Skin and Pelvic Exams at least every 2 years
  • Blood Pressure Check yearly
  • Blood Tests for Diabetes, Cholesterol, and Kidney at least every 2 years
  • Women should be familiar with their breasts and report changes promptly to their healthcare provider
  • Mammograms every other year based on patient’s risk factor
  • Pap smears and HPV test every 5 years or a Pap Smear every 3 years
  • Colorectal Screening, discuss with MD if you have a family history
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, both partners should get tested, including HIV before initiating sexual intercourse
  • Eye (including Glaucoma Screening if you have family history or if you are African-American) and Ear Exams every 2-4 years
  • Dental Exam 1 to 2 times a year
  • Tetanus-Diphtheria Booster every 10 years
  • Influenza Vaccine annually

Women Aged 50-64*

  • Full Checkup yearly
  • Blood Pressure Check yearly
  • Blood Tests for Diabetes, Cholesterol, and Kidney yearly
  • Women should be familiar with their breasts and report changes promptly to their healthcare provider
  • Mammograms every other year
  • Pap smears and HPV test every 5 years or a Pap Smear every 3 years
  • If a long-term smoker, discuss benefits/risk of lung cancer screening with physician
  • Colorectal Screening:
    • Colonoscopy at least every 10 years
    • Colorguard every three years
    • CT colonography every 5 years
    • Fecal Occult Test yearly or
    • Flexible Sigmoidoscopy every 5 yearsInfluenza Vaccine yearly
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, both partners should get tested, including HIV before initiating sexual intercourse
  • Eye (including Glaucoma Screening if you have family history or if you are African-American) and Ear Exams every 2-4 years
  • Shingrix vaccine for Shingles,a two-shot series separated by 2-6 months
  • Eye (including Glaucoma Screening if you have family history or if you are African-American) and Ear Exams every 2-4 years
  • Dental Exam 1 to 2 times a year
  • Tetanus-Diphtheria Booster every 10 years
  • Influenza Vaccine yearly

Women Aged 65 and Older*

  • Full Checkup with Height, Weight, Skin and Pelvic Exams yearly
  • Blood Pressure Check yearly
  • Blood Tests for Diabetes, Cholesterol, Kidney and Thyroid Dysfunction yearly
  • Women should be familiar with their breasts and report changes promptly to their healthcare provider
  • Clinical Breast Exams yearly
  • Mammograms every other year to age 75, then optional
  • If a long-term smoker, discuss benefits/risk of lung cancer screening with physician
  • Colorectal Screening: Colonoscopy every 10 years, FiOBT every year, Cologuard every 3 years, virtual colonoscopy every 5 years or flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years.
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases, both partners should get tested, including HIV before initiating sexual intercourse
  • Eye (including glaucoma screening) and Ear Exams every 1-2 years
  • Prevnar 13 one time at age 65 and Pnuemovax 23 one year later
  • Shingrix if you have not already received it
  • Dental Exam 1 to 2 times a year
  • Tetanus-Diphtheria Booster every 10 years
  • Influenza Vaccine yearly

If you need a physician, please call our Physician Referral Service.

*National Comprehensive Cancer Network are the guidelines adopted by Catawba Valley Medical Center’s Community Hospital Cancer Program