10 Medical Tests Every Woman Needs

Make a mental checklist of all the things you do to keep yourself healthy. It's a good bet you thought of your workouts, your good for you diet and maybe even your daily vitamins. Great! But if keeping up with medical tests isn't on your list of healthy behaviors, you're falling into the mistake that many fit women make; thinking regular exercise plus smart nutrition exempts you from getting routine exams. Here's what you need to know to truly keep your body healthy.

1. Infrared Mammogram (Breast Thermography)
Infrared mammography or thermography uses heat rather than radiation to detect physiological changes. Thermography is a great adjunctive therapy to use with mammography because it can be used more often without harmful exposures and can detect some breast cancers earlier than a mammogram. It is most useful for establishing a healthy baseline and therefore can detect and alert to early breast tissue changes.
How Often: Yearly or every six months as recommended by your Naturopathic Doctor. Every women should have a baseline exam by at age 21.

2. Pap Smear
Collecting cells from the cervix during a pelvic exam is the best way to tell if your cervix is healthy. Abnormal cellular changes can lead to cervical cancer. Early detection can prevent this. How often: Starting at age 21, most women need to be screened every other year or less according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Once you turn 30 and you've had three consecutive negative tests and no abnormal history; you can get it done once every three years.

3. Clinical Breast Exam
 Abnormalities can be seen or felt in breast tissue, skin and nipples that can indicate cancer. How often: At least once every three years in your 20’s and 30’s. If you want to be checked more frequently, simply ask. After age 40 have a yearly breast exam.

4. X-Ray Mammography
X-ray mammography is the standard for screening, but not diagnosing breast cancer. The goal of mammography is the early detection of breast cancer, typically through detection of characteristic masses and/or microcalifications. Most doctors believe that mammography reduces deaths from breast cancer, although recent research only points to reducing deaths from advanced breast cancer, not early breast cancer.
How Often: The US Prevention Services Task Force recommends every two years starting at age 50. Doctor's may recommend starting at age 40 for higher risk women, but the USPSTF says the benefits of screening mammograms don't outweigh the harms for women ages 40 to 49.

5. Skin Cancer Screening
A skin exam can identify suspiciously shaped “moles” or other growths that might be cancerous or precancerous. How Often: New growths or those that change should be assessed right away. If you're a current or recovering tanning bed or sun lover, are fair or dotted with moles or freckles or have a family history of skin cancer, see a dermatologist twice a year. If not, go annually. Fast Fact: According to a recent study, dermatologists are better than primary care doctors at diagnosing melanomas. Higher survival rates are equated with better screening?

6. Thyroid Hormone Testing
Thyroid hormone is needed for every living cell to utilize. If you are experiencing, fatigue, constipation or neurological conditions, it may be related to your thyroid gland. Thyroid gland dysfunction is linked to heart disease, diabetes and infertility. How Often: Annually Fast Fact: The “normal” thyroid hormone range still used by many doctors is outdated. If you’ve been told your thyroid is “normal” but still experience symptoms consistent with thyroid dysfunction see a Naturopathic Doctor. Naturopathic Doctors utilize a more narrow range for blood work and are adept at recognizing more subtle thyroid conditions.
7. Insulin & Blood Sugar Testing
High insulin can be a sign of increasing difficulty handling glucose. As insulin levels rise, so too does the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular and cancer. High insulin indicates insulin resistance which increases the risk of infertility and hormone imbalances including adrenal fatigue as well.
How Often: Annually

8. Blood Pressure
The higher it is, the greater your chance of having heart disease, kidney damage or a stroke. How Often: Once every two years if it's 120/80 or below. If you've already been diagnosed with hypertension or told you're at risk measure your blood pressure at home regularly.
Fast Fact: In the U.S., about one in eight women ages 20 to 44 has high blood pressure. Taking oral contraceptive pills, being pregnant or being overweight can up your risk.

9. Cholesterol Panel
 High cholesterol means higher risk for heart disease. Your total cholesterol should be under 200 mg/dL, LDL (bad cholesterol) under 100 mg/dL, HDL (good stuff) 60 mg/dL or more, and triglycerides under 150 mg/dL. How Often: At least once every five years, starting at age 20.
Fast Fact: It’s most important to look at the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol, not one or the other. See a Naturopathic Doctor for drug free solutions to cholesterol problems if you
have them. There are many natural supplements that work as well as pharmaceuticals without the side effects associated with drugs.

10. BMI/Body Weight
Pick a disease and chances are being overweight puts you at an elevated risk of it. Your body mass index is a calculation based on your weight relative to your height. How Often: Annually. However, if you're looking to shed pounds, weigh yourself weekly and consider joining a Naturopathic Doctor directed program for assistance and accountability.
These simple tests can act to not only diagnose problems currently, but are excellent predictors of many common diseases. So even if you “feel fine", take the initiative to screen for disease to decrease worry and stress in the future. You will find that you can be happy and healthier longer!

Dr. Cynthia Preston is a California licensed naturopathic family care doctor with special interest and training in women's health concerns like PMS, menopause, osteoporosis, cardiovascular health, aging and emotional well-being. Dr. Preston utilizes a variety of therapies that include bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, the Wiley Protocol, botanical medicines, and nutritional intervention to restore her patients' health.