Medical Tests for Women

I am 45 years of age and have never had a mammogram.  I know that it's time to start - but how often should I go from now on? - Sylvia, Pennsylvania.

Hello Sylvia

You are correct in stating that it's time to start having regular mammograms.  Ideally, you should start at the age of 40 and even 30 if there is a history of breast cancer in your family.

Since you will need to be referred by your gynaecologist, I suggest you follow his advice on how frequently you need to be tested.

He will examine you and take all your medical and family history into account before he advises you.

When should I be suggesting to my daughters that it is time to go for pap tests? - Princess, Namibia

Princess, your daughters need to have pap tests every one to three years from the time they become sexually active.

When is the best time of the month to go for a pap test? - Shirl, Johannesburg

Shirl, the best time to go for a pap test is the week before or after you have ovulated.  Cervical mucus is then thinner and the cervix wider, making both the smear more comfortable and the results more accurate.  If you have stopped menstruating (menopausal) you can of course go at any time and will need to do so every year.

What about bone-density scans?  When do we need these? - Dorothy, Illinois

Dorothy, as soon as a woman stops menstruating, bone loss can begin - so I would suggest going for a base-line densitometry test as soon as you are post-menopausal.  Your gynaecologist will then suggest how often you need to go using the base-line first scan for future comparisons to check for osteoporosis.

Can I prevent bone loss once I stop menstruating? - Vicky, Arkansas

Yes, there is quite a lot you can do Vicky to prevent bone density loss:

• Exercise regularly (you need to walk briskly every day)
• Get sufficient exposure to the sun (at least 20 mins each day)
• Take calcium supplements regularly
• Avoid fizzy drinks

Don't forget ladies - consider the following tests as deemed necessary by your doctor/gynaecologist/health carer as well:

• Cholesterol - blood tests
• Anaemia - blood tests
• Hormone balance - blood tests
• Blood pressure - at every doctor's visit
• General check up - every year
• Skin - check ups and even skin-mapping (if you have lots of moles) with a skin specialist
  
• Colonoscopy - screening for colorectal cancer - and last but not least
  
• Dental appointments!