Health checks at different ages
This is a general guide to health checks at different ages, but some checks and how often you have them may vary depending on your risks, medical history and ethnic background. Talk to your doctor about checks you may need.
Health checks for women up to the age of 40
- Have a blood pressure test every two years.
- Check your body mass index (BMI) and waist measurement every two years.
- Have a cervical screening test every five years, or as advised by your doctor.
- Regularly check the look and feel of your breasts.
- Have a sexual health check if you are sexually active.
- Ask your doctor which vaccinations or boosters you need.
Health checks for women aged 41 to 60
- Have a blood pressure test every two years, then every year after you turn 50.
- Check your body mass index (BMI) and waist measurement every two years, then every year after you turn 50.
- Have a diabetes risk check every three years, and blood sugar test every year if you are at risk.
- Have a cholesterol test at least every five years.
- Have a cervical screening test every five years, or as advised by your doctor.
- Regularly check the look and feel of your breasts.
- Have a mammogram every two years.
- Have a sexual health check if you are sexually active.
- Have a bowel cancer screen every two years from the age of 50.
- Have a urine test to assess kidney health every year after the age of 50.
- Have a bone density scan if recommended by your doctor.
- Ask your doctor which vaccinations or boosters you need.
Health checks for women aged 60 and older
- Have a blood pressure test every year.
- Check your body mass index (BMI) and waist measurement every year.
- Have a diabetes risk check every three years, and blood sugar test every year if you are at risk.
- Have a cholesterol test at least every five years.
- Have a cervical screening test every five years, or as advised by your doctor, until the age of 74.
- Regularly check the look and feel of your breasts.
- Have a mammogram every two years.
- Have a sexual health check if you are sexually active.
- Have a bowel cancer screen every two years.
- Have a urine test to assess kidney health every year.
- Have a bone density scan every five years from the age of 70.
Vaccinations
- Ask your doctor which vaccinations or boosters you need.
- If you are over 65, talk to your doctor about having a vaccine to protect you from shingles (a viral infection that causes a painful, blistering rash).
- If you are over 70, talk to your doctor about having a pneumonia vaccine.
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