A guide to a woman’s general health

Pap Smears:

A test carried out on a sample of cells from the cervix to check for abnormalities that may be indicative of cervical cancer; a smear test.

How often do you get pap smears?

Every 3 years for women aged 21-65 years.

Who should get pap smears?

All sexually active females or females above the age of 21 years.

Vaccinations against cervical cancer?

HPV vaccine

Breast exams:

A screening method used in an attempt to detect early breast cancer. The method involves the woman herself looking at and feeling each breast for possible lumps, distortions or swelling (self breast exam).

Or can include a clinical examination by a health care practitioner.

How often to do a self breast exam?

Self exams should be done monthly.

How often to get a clinical examination by a practitioner?

Every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s.

How often to get mammograms?

Yearly mammograms should be done for women starting at the age of 40 years.

How to do a breast self exam?

STANDING UP

STEP 1:

With both hands by your side, check for any changes in size, color, texture, and shape.

STEP 2:

Lift both hands above your head and see if both breasts lift together.

STEP 3:

With your hands on your hips, press your elbows together and bend forward. See if both breasts fall forward together.

STEP 4:

Now raise your one arm and in circular motions use 3 fingers to examine your breast.

In a circular pattern start at the outer top and move towards the nipple, pressing firmly enough to feel the underlying tissue.

Feel for any abnormal lumps or hard knots on the breast and especially the armpit area above the breast.

Repeat on the other breast.

LYING DOWN

STEP 1:

Place one arm/hand under your head and use the opposite hand to repeat step 4.

STEP 2:

Inspect each nipple for discharge by lightly squeezing them.

Breast self-exams should be done monthly. Report any irregularities to your primary care physician, gynecologist, or health care providers.

What to look out for:

• Bleeding or discharge from nipples

• Dimpling of skin

• Any lumps or hard knots

• changes in shape, size, color, or texture

• sunken in nipples

Bone density:

The test uses X-rays to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a segment of bone. Bone density decreases naturally as we age, thus bone density tests are done for prevention of fractures and bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

Who and when should you have bone density tests?

Women should have bone mineral density tests/scans from the age of 65.

Screening of high risk individuals should start from the age of 54.

General health check ups:

Hypertension:

Regular blood pressure checks should be done to identify early high blood pressure.

Diabetes:

Regular random blood glucose tests should be performed.

From the age of 45 annual blood glucose tests should be performed by a health care practitioner.

Cholesterol:

A full lipid profile should be performed every 4-6 years starting at the age of 20 years.

STI screening:

Regular STI screenings should be done by a health care practitioner.