I see you booking those summer trips (you deserve it!).
And those hair and nail appointments (you cute!).
But uhhh…
Let's not forget to book this one thing, too:
Your wellness exams.
And listen, I get it.
They may not be the most exciting thing on your to-do list.
Or maybe you feel like life is just too damn busy to make them a priority.
But trust me when I say this: the little time you carve out now to tend to your health, will pay off BIG time in the long run.
As the kids say…'no cap' (I realllly hope I used that word right LOL)
So in honor of May being Women's Health Awareness Month, I want to talk about the wellness exams you should be penciling in your calendar.
I've scheduled mine as well, so we are in this together, boo!
Let's get into it.
If you are in your 20s & Early 30s…
At this age, you may be feeling invincible, but now's the time to start laying the groundwork for a lifetime of good health. Here are the exams I encourage you to focus on:
Annual Well-Woman Exam: This is your health check-up with your doctor. During this visit, they will check your the condition of your physical body, your blood pressure, and weight – and chat with you about any concerns you might have. They'll also give you the rundown on birth control options and screenings you might need.
Pap Smear: I mean…these aren't the most fun thing in the world, but are so important for catching any abnormal cells in your cervix early on and preventing cervical cancer. Women ages 21-29 should get a Pap smear every three years. Beginning at age 30, a test for HPV is added to the Pap test, which results in much better detection of any abnormalities. At this point, you should can be screened every 5 years, as long as the results of both tests are normal.
Breast Exam: Whether you're doing a self-exam at home or getting a clinical breast exam, you gotta keep an eye on your girls. Early detection is critical when it comes to breast cancer, so don't skip this step. I wrote a newsletter in October titled ‘Breast Cancer Doesn’t Care How Old You Are' and encourage you to read it!
Eye Exam: Regular eye exams can catch issues like glaucoma and macular degeneration early on so you can keep seeing the world in all its glory. You should aim to have a comprehensive eye exam every one to three years, depending on your age, family history, risk factors, and physical condition.
Dental Exam: Let's not forget about those pearly whites! Regular dental check-ups can catch issues like cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer early on, so you can keep smiling bright! The American Dental Association recommends that you have a dental check-up and cleaning every six months. This way, your dentist can catch decay, gingivitis, or any other problems while they are small and easily treated.
If you are in your Mid-30s & Beyond
By now, you're probably juggling a million and one things, but don't let your health take a back seat. I encourage you to focus on all screenings from your 20s & early 30s PLUS:
Mammogram: Yep, it's that time – time to squish your girls between two plates and pray for good results. But seriously, mammograms are THE procedure for detecting breast cancer early, so don't put it off, boo. The docs will recommend starting this exam at age 40, but you can (and should) get it done sooner if you are at a high risk of getting breast cancer (ie family history, genetics, breast density, race, etc) or feel a new mass or lump in your breasts when you do a self-exam. I've had it done 2x for these reasons, and am 35 years old. Talk to your medical provider.
Bone Density Test: As we get older, our bones start to lose density, which can lead to osteoporosis. A bone density test can help catch any issues early on and prevent fractures down the road.
Cholesterol Screening: High cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease, so you gotta stay on top of it. I highly encourage you to ask your doctor questions, such as “What do my cholesterol numbers mean, and how can I improve them?” and “What lifestyle changes can help lower my cholesterol levels?”.
Colonoscopy: This procedure is key for catching colon cancer early. And yes, even if you're a woman, you need one. Although some people think of colon cancer as a men's disease, women are just as much at risk (colon cancer is the third most common type of cancer in women!). You should start having regular colonoscopies at the age of 45, with follow-up screenings every 10 years if no abnormalities are found. However, if you have a family history of colon cancer or other risk factors, your doctor may recommend starting screenings at an earlier age or more frequently.
Diabetes Screening: As we age, our risk of developing diabetes increases. Stay ahead of the game by getting regular screenings and making healthy lifestyle choices. About 38 million Americans have diabetes, and 1 in 5 don’t know they have it. So new ADA guideline recommends all adults be screened at least once every 3 years starting at age 35 if results are normal.
I hope this helps (and encourages you to take some time this week to schedule your exam!).
Whenever you are ready, here are three ways I can support you:
Have a great week!
Ariel Belgrave, CPT
Certified Health & Fitness Coach
Stress Management Specialist
Board Member, Women's Health Mag
Under Armour Athlete
P.S. I encourage you to forward this email to someone who could use this wisdom (sharing is caring!)
