Women's healthcare needs change throughout their lives—from adolescence to pregnancy, menopause and beyond. At Unity Health, our team of obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs) provide expert care at every age and stage.
Reviewed 8/30/2022
Screening tests for women
Find out which tests you should get in each decade of life.
Screening tests can help you find and head off health problems early. Keep reading to find out which tests women should get in each decade of life.
Note: This information is intended as a general guide. Talk to your doctor for details on what types of tests you need and when to get them.
20s—Recommended tests:
- Blood pressure. At least every 2 years.
- Beginning at age 25, primary HPV test every 5 years (preferred), HPV test and Pap test every 5 years, or Pap test every 3 years.
- Chlamydia and gonorrhea. Yearly through age 24, if you're sexually active. Thereafter depending on your risk factors.
- Cholesterol. Every 4 to 6 years.
30s—Recommended tests:
- Blood pressure. At least every 2 years.
- Cervical cancer. Primary HPV test every 5 years (preferred), HPV test and Pap test every 5 years, or Pap test every 3 years.
- Cholesterol. Every 4 to 6 years.
- Diabetes. At least every 3 years, starting at age 35.
40s—Recommended tests:
- Blood pressure. At least every 2 years.
- Breast cancer. Mammogram every year, starting at age 45.
- Cervical cancer. Primary HPV test every 5 years (preferred), HPV test and Pap test every 5 years, or Pap test every 3 years.
- Cholesterol. Every 4 to 6 years.
- Colorectal cancer. Start at age 45. Talk to your doctor about screening options.
- Diabetes. At least every 3 years.
50s—Recommended tests:
- Blood pressure. At least every 2 years.
- Breast cancer. Mammogram every year until age 55. Mammogram every 2 years starting at age 55.
- Cervical cancer. Primary HPV test every 5 years (preferred), HPV test and Pap test every 5 years, or Pap test every 3 years.
- Cholesterol. Every 4 to 6 years.
- Colorectal cancer. Talk to your doctor about screening options.
- Diabetes. At least every 3 years.
60s—Recommended tests:
- Blood pressure. At least every 2 years.
- Breast cancer. Mammogram every 2 years.
- Cervical cancer. Women who have been screened regularly and had normal results can stop screening after age 65.
- Cholesterol. Every 4 to 6 years.
- Colorectal cancer. Talk to your doctor about screening options.
- Diabetes. At least every 3 years.
- Osteoporosis. Start at age 65; thereafter depends on your risk factors.
70+—Recommended tests:
- Blood pressure. At least every 2 years.
- Breast cancer. Mammogram every 2 years.
- Cervical cancer. Only if you had serious cervical precancer in the past 25 years.
- Cholesterol. Every 4 to 6 years.
- Colorectal cancer. After age 75, talk to your doctor about screening options.
- Diabetes. At least every 3 years.
- Osteoporosis. Depends on your risk factors.
VISIT THE WOMEN'S HEALTH TOPIC CENTER FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW WOMEN CAN STAY HEALTHY.
- American Cancer Society. "American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Early Detection of Cancer." https://www.cancer.org/healthy/find-cancer-early/american-cancer-society-guidelines-for-the-early-detection-of-cancer.html.
- American Cancer Society. "Cancer Screening Guidelines by Age." https://www.cancer.org/healthy/find-cancer-early/screening-recommendations-by-age.html.
- American Diabetes Association. "Classification and Diagnosis of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes--2023." https://diabetesjournals.org/care/issue/46/Supplement_1.
- American Heart Association. "Heart-Health Screenings." https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/heart-health-screenings.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Get a Cholesterol Test." https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/cholesterol_screening.htm.
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. "Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: Screening." https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/chlamydia-and-gonorrhea-screening.
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. "Osteoporosis to Prevent Fractures: Screening." https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/osteoporosis-screening.
Services we provide
Whether you have a specific gynecological condition or need to schedule a well-woman exam, we can help. Our women's health team provides a personal level of care that is highly supportive. Here are some of the most common services we offer:
Well-woman exams. Preventive care is an essential part of staying healthy at any age. A routine checkup, or gynecological visit, may include a number of important healthcare services, including:
- A general physical exam
- A pelvic exam
- Pap smears and HPV (human papillomavirus) tests, to screen for cervical cancer
- A clinical breast exam to help check for lumps or breast cancer symptoms
- Stay-well advice. Your OB-GYN can discuss any topic with you, including sexual health, mental health, domestic violence and abnormal periods.
In-office procedures, such as colposcopy for women who have abnormal Pap or HPV test results.
Birth control and IUDs.
Mammography. Mammograms for breast cancer early detection are offered by the Imaging Department.
Maternity services. Our experts provide childbirth services from prenatal care through delivery. Our team is passionate about babies and being part of that special time in your life. Learn more about our maternity services.
A doctor for your daughter
Did you know that women's healthcare services are for women of all ages? The American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that girls have their first gynecological visit between the ages of 13 and 15.
Care that is closer to you
We offer women's health services at both Unity Health - Searcy Medical Center Women's Clinic and Unity Health - Harris OB/GYN Clinic.
For women who live in Pocahontas, we offer a local clinic that provides prenatal and postnatal care. Women are seen in the Pocahontas OB-GYN clinic every other Tuesday and every Wednesday. Visits are by appointment only.