Preventive Guidelines for Healthy Women
Hill Physicians recommends the following screenings and exams for healthy women. These guidelines are general in nature and the judgment and experience of your physician, informed by these standards of care and as applied to your specific case, are the final determinants of patient care.
Recommended Screenings
| Screening/Procedure |
Age Range |
Frequency |
| Health assessment or “physical” |
19 to 39 years |
As needed |
| 40 to 64 years |
Every 3 to 5 years |
| 65 and older |
Annually |
| Blood pressure |
All ages |
Once every 2 years |
| Cholesterol |
20 to 45 years |
One time if no other risk factors for coronary heart disease are present |
| 20 to 45 years |
Once every 5 years if other risk factors for coronary heart disease are present |
| 45 years and older |
Once every 5 years or more frequently if family history of high cholesterol is present |
| Colorectal cancer screening |
50 years and older |
Every 1 to 5 years depending on screening method (fecal occult blood test, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy) |
| Clinical breast exam |
All ages |
Annually |
| Mammogram |
40 to 50 years |
Every 1 to 2 years |
| 50 years and older |
Annually |
| Cervical cancer screening |
19 to 64 years |
Before age 30: Every 2 years after 3 normal screenings At/after age 30: Every 3 years after 3 normal screenings |
| Pelvic exam |
All ages |
Annually |
| Osteoporosis screening |
- All ages when one or more risk factors present
- 65 years and older
|
Every 5 years |
Recommended Vaccinations and Immunizations
| Vaccination |
Age Range |
Frequency |
| Tetanus and diphtheria (Tdap) booster |
All ages |
Every 10 years |
| Flu shot (Influenza vaccine) |
- 50 years and older
- All ages in contact with high-risk persons
|
Annually during fall months |
| Pneumococcal vaccine |
50 years and older with high-risk conditions |
Annually |
| 65 years and older |
At least once |
| Tuberculin (PPD) |
35 years and younger |
Once during lifetime |
| Other vaccinations |
All ages |
As needed without proof of previous immunity |