Did everyone enjoy treating yourselves last week? I hope so!

On top of giving in to indulgences, something that’s incredibly important for your mind and body is staying healthy. Obviously. But in addition to exercise, eating greens, and getting enough sleep, it’s also on you to keep up with your health via doctor appointments. It’s definitely an annoying part of being an adult, but keeping up with your check-ups is imperative to catching (god-forbid!) health issues before they get too serious, and for peace of mind that you’re all good.

October was Breast Cancer Awareness month, and I love that it provides a general reminder to get screened. It also got me thinking about the other checkups that I should be getting now that I’m in my 30s. It seems like the age to start getting to the doctor for a handful of new reasons.

Obviously everyone’s health, body, and beliefs are VERY different, but what we all have in common is that certain screenings are a must—and health is a priority.

Challenge: Talk to your doctor and come up with a schedule of what you personally need/want to be screened for or treated for. Schedule any that need to be done within the next 12 months.

Again, talk to your doctor, but I wanted to provide a general list of the screenings/treatment women should have, how often, and at what age. Unless noted, the details below are based on women without issues in that certain area.

• Dentist—1-2x a year for an exam + cleaning.
• Blood pressure—Every 2 years.
• Cholesterol—At least every 5 years if you’re over 20.
• Diabetes—If you have high blood pressure or a BMI over 25, you should be screened.
• Eyes—Every 2 years if you have vision problems.
• Immunizations—Flu shot 1x a year, Tetanus booster every 10 years, HPV vaccine 1 time if you’re ages 18-26.
• Physical exam—Every 1-2 years. Check blood pressure, skin, cervical cancer screening (ages 21+), height, weight, and BMI.
• Breasts—Ages 20-40 monthly self breast exam & clinical breast exam every 3 years, mammogram age 40+.
• Pelvic exam & Pap—Every 3 years (if you’ve had recurring normal tests and are with the same partner). Every 2 years if you’re sexually active with new partners or in your early 20s.
• Bone density—Age 65+.
• Blood glucose—Every 3 years starting at age 45.
• Colon cancer—Age 50+, every 5-10 years. Colonoscopy every 10 years.

Source: Medline Plus and Everyday Health

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