National Women's Health Week

It is of the utmost importance for women to get regular check ups, annual check ups and screenings done.

What better week to remember getting your screenings done, than during National Women's Health Week!?

For different age ranges, there are different tests that are necessary and/or only necessary if advised by your doctor.

We all need healthy women in our lives, whether they are our wives, daughters, mothers, grandmothers, colleagues. Although the health of men is as important, this is National Women's Health week!

There are no events being held in Canada for Women's Health Week, but Canada does celebrate National Women's day, which was held the week of March 8, 2012

The many important tests to highly take into consideration, or literally have an appointment booked because it is your health we are talking about, are as follows:

* Breast Health
* Bone Health
* Diabetes
* Heart Health
* Colorectal Health
* Sexual Health
* Reproductive Health

Now with the above mentioned, you will need to check with your age range, in order to know which tests are important.

* Ages 18 to 39
- It is not necessary to take the Bone Health, Colorectal Health or Breast Health tests, unless your health care provider advises.
- The next time you visit your doctor, and he tells you that your blood pressure is higher than 135/85, or if you are already on high blood pressure medication, then it would be best to get checked for Diabetes.
- It is important to get tested for Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Chlamydia, and HIV to make sure you have good Sexual Health.
- Having your blood pressure tested and your cholesterol level checked to maintain a Healthy Heart is ideal.
- For your Reproductive Health, it is very important to get a PAP test every 3 years, if you are sexually active and should you be 21 years or older.

Click if you are pregnant or trying to conceive.
Click HERE for FAQ's if you are pregnant.
Click for information on Acupuncture and Fertility.

* Ages 40 to 49
- It is not necessary to take the Bone Health or the Colorectal Health unless your health care provider advises.
- It is best to discuss with your doctor about your Breast Health, should you have questions or concerns, and to possibly have a mammogram appointment made.
- To know if you have good Heart Health, it is best to have your blood pressure checked every 2 years if your blood pressure is lower than 120/80 or once a year if your blood pressure is higher than 120/80. If you are at an increased risk of developing heart disease, it is best to get your cholesterol checked regularly, by your doctor.
- It is important to get tested for Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Chlamydia and HIV to check your Sexual Health, whether you are pregnant or not.
- Should your blood pressure be above 135/85, or if you take blood pressure medicine, it would be a good idea to have a Diabetes test done.
- You should have a cervical cancer screening, in other words, a PAP test, if you are sexually active, for your Reproductive Health, every 3 years.

As women get older, there are many more tests to take into consideration.

* Ages 50 to 64
- It is important to have a PAP test done, for your Reproductive Health, every 3 years.
- Follow the same advice for the 40 to 49 age range when it comes to Diabetes, Heart Health, Reproductive Health, and Sexual Health.
- Between this age, it is best to speak with your health care provider about Bone Health, to know your risks for osteoporosis.
- At age 50, it is best to get screened for Colorectal cancer.
- It is best to get a mammogram done, at the age of 50, and get screened every 2 years for Breast cancer.

Click HERE for more information on osteoporosis.
Click HERE for holistic care for cancer patients.

* Ages 65 and older
- Follow the same procedure stated for the 40 to 49 age range for your Heart Health, Diabetes, and Sexual Health.
- You may speak with your doctor and ask if it is necessary to have a PAP test done for your Reproductive Health.
- Consider having a mammogram screening done every 2 years until the age of 74 for Breast Health.
- You should have a Bone density test done at least once, and ask your family doctor if you need to have any more.
- Through the age of 75, it is a good idea to have a Colorectal screening done for any traces of cancer.

If you do not fall into any of the age categories and do have concerns, please do not hesitate to speak with your family doctor.


You should remember to keep active, eat healthy get enough sleep, manage stress, and avoid bad habits, such as smoking and not wearing a seat belt. 

To print a Screening Chart, please click the following link: Womens Screening Chart


Information provided by http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw/