5 Important Medical Examinations For Women Over 50

It is a well-known truth that almost any disease is much easier to prevent than treat. However, the overwhelming majority of society doesn't think of preventive measures and turns to medical help only in extreme situations. This is a fundamentally wrong attitude. Over time, our organs and systems undergo changes that can predispose us to the occurrence of some diseases. Therefore, preventive medical examinations are the best way to control the state of your health. Here, we present 5 of the most important tests that every woman should take.

1. Screening for cervical cancer

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Cervical cancer is a malignant neoplasm that affects mostly middle-aged women. If the disease is detected at the fourth stage, the 5-year survival rate is only 7.8%. According to the statistical report of the World Health Organization, 30-50% cases of the cancer could have been prevented with preventive examinations. The Papanicolaou test (Pap test) is used for the screening of cervical cancer. This test helps detect precancerous changes in the cervical epithelium. All women aged 21-65 are highly recommended to undergo this medical examination every three years.

2. Screening for breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common neoplasm among women. According to an assessment by the World Health Organization, around one million new cases of the disease are registered annually. The main cause of the disease is the imbalance of sex hormones. Moreover, breast cancer can affect women of almost any age (13-90). Women older than 40 are recommended to undergo an annual mammogram (X-ray examination that helps detect precancerous changes). This helps considerably reduce the likelihood of the growth into a further stage.

3. Blood pressure measurement

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The measurement of blood pressure is a routine procedure. According to modern criteria, indicators higher than 120/80 Torr are considered to show high blood pressure and require lifestyle correction and strict medical control. Arterial hypertension is one of the main risk factors for heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, kidney damage, and cognitive decline. Check your blood pressure at least once a year. 

4. Determination of blood glucose level

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Diabetes mellitus is considered to be the non-infectious epidemic of the twenty-first century. To prove this, World Health Organization data shows that 8-10% of the world's population suffer from this pathology. This is a serious illness that significantly worsens quality of life as well as leads to disability and even death. The determination of glycemia (the level of blood glucose) allows for the diagnosis of a person's predisposition to diabetes mellitus or the existence of the disease. It is highly recommended you undergo this examination once a year. If you are in the risk group for diabetes, you should consult an endocrinologist and follow all of their recommendations.

5. Diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases

The danger of these diseases is that they can remain asymptomatic over a long period of time and then suddenly manifest in a severe form. Among them, the main social and medical importance is given to syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B and C, and, of course, the HIV infection. It has been established that more than 3 million people die annually due to complications from sexually transmitted diseases. If you lead a sexually active lifestyle, have screening tests for the above-mentioned diseases once a year.

Remember that regular preventive examinations are the key to your healthy future!

Source: Webmd, Prevention

READ ALSO: 4 Important Facts About The Pap Smear Test

This article is solely for informational purposes. Do not treat yourself, and in all cases consult a certified healthcare professional before using any information presented in the article. The editorial board does not guarantee any results and does not bear any responsibility for harm that may result from using the information provided in the article.