Screenings & Immunizations for Women:
In Your 40s
Consult your doctor about these recommended screenings and immunizations.
Recommended screenings*
| Screening | What it checks for | Who, when and how often |
| Blood glucose | Type 2 diabetes | - People with blood pressure above 135/80 or who are overweight
- Repeat every three years if results are normal
|
| Blood pressure | High blood pressure | - All women
- Starting at age 18
- At each preventive visit
|
| Breast self exam | Breast cancer | |
| Cholesterol | High total cholesterol, and low HDL (good) cholesterol | - Routinely every 5 years
- Women ages 45 and older
|
| Colonoscopy or other colorectal exam | Colon cancer | - Periodically as recommended by your doctor
- Beginning at age 50 or earlier if you have risk factors for colorectal cancer
|
| Height and weight | General health; obesity | - All women
- At each preventive visit
|
| Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) | HIV | - Voluntary testing during routine health exams
- Annual testing for women at risk
|
| Mammogram with or without clinical breast exam | Breast cancer | - Every 1 to 2 years
- Women ages 40 and older
|
| Pap smear | Cervical cancer | - Annually or every three years after three consecutive normal tests
- All women beginning at age 18 or age of sexual activity
|
| Sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening | STDs such as gonorrhea and syphilis | - Ask your doctor to see if you're at increased risk and need screening
|
Recommended immunizations*
| Immunization | Who, when and how often |
| Hepatitis A/B | At-risk adults only |
| Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) | Adults not already immune |
| Meningococcal | At-risk adults only |
| Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td/Tdap) | Every 10 years |
| Varicella (VZV) | At-risk adults only: 2 doses |
Download a complete list of recommended Screenings and Immunizations Guidelines (PDF format) for your family.
