Know When to Start. Know What You Need. Take Charge of Your Health.
Taking care of your health isn’t just about treating problems when they arise. Preventive healthcare is about finding potential problems early, understanding your individual risks, and giving yourself the best opportunity for a healthier future.
As women move through different stages of life, from reproductive years through perimenopause and menopause, health needs change. Staying current with recommended screenings can help detect cancer, bone loss, and other health concerns before they become more serious.
Here are three important screenings every woman should know about: mammograms, cervical cancer screening, and bone density testing.
Mammograms: Protecting Your Breast Health
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women. Screening mammography can help detect breast cancer before it becomes large enough to feel or cause symptoms.
WHEN SHOULD YOU START?
For women at average risk, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends:
Age 40–74:
Mammogram every 2 years.
Women with a personal history of breast cancer, strong family history, certain genetic mutations such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, or other risk factors may need to begin screening earlier or have additional screening.
Don’t wait for a lump.
A mammogram is a screening tool, but you should also pay attention to changes in your breasts.
Talk with your healthcare provider if you notice:
• A new lump in the breast or underarm
• Changes in breast size or shape
• Skin dimpling, redness, or irritation
• Changes in the nipple
• Nipple discharge that is not breast milk
• Persistent or unusual breast pain
Not every breast change means cancer, but new or concerning changes deserve evaluation.
Cervical Cancer Screening
Cervical cancer is one of the cancers where screening can identify abnormal or precancerous changes before they develop into cancer.
Cervical cancer screening may include a Pap test, HPV testing, or both, depending on your age and individual circumstances.
When should you start?
Under age 21:
Routine cervical cancer screening is generally not recommended for average-risk individuals.
Age 21–29:
Cervical cytology, commonly called a Pap test, every 3 years.
Age 30–65:
Current 2026 ACOG-endorsed guidance prefers primary high-risk HPV testing every 5 years. Cotesting with HPV and Pap every 5 years is an acceptable alternative, and Pap testing alone every 3 years may be used when HPV testing or co-testing is unavailable or after discussion with your clinician.
Over age 65:
Routine screening may stop if you have had adequate prior screening and do not have a history of cervical cancer or significant cervical precancer. Women who have not had adequate prior screening or who are at increased risk may need continued screening.
Remember: HPV vaccination does not eliminate the need for screening.
The HPV vaccine protects against many HPV infections that can cause cancer, but vaccinated women should still follow age-appropriate cervical cancer screening recommendations.
Bone Density Testing: Protect Your Bones
Bone loss can happen quietly, particularly as women get older and estrogen levels decline after menopause.
Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because significant bone loss can occur without obvious symptoms. Sometimes the first indication is a fracture.
A bone density test, typically called a DXA scan, measures bone mineral density and can help identify osteoporosis or low bone mass.
When should you start?
Age 65 and older:
Women should be screened for osteoporosis with a DXA bone density test.
Under age 65 and postmenopausal:
You may need screening earlier if you have risk factors that increase your likelihood of osteoporosis or fracture. Your healthcare provider can assess your risk and determine whether a DXA scan is appropriate.
Risk factors can include:
• Low body weight
• A parent with a history of hip fracture
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol use
• Certain medications, including long-term corticosteroids
• Certain medical conditions
• Early or surgical menopause and other factors affecting estrogen exposure
Don’t wait for a fracture to find out how healthy your bones are.
Your Women’s Health Screening Timeline
20s
• Begin cervical cancer screening at 21
• Establish routine primary and preventive healthcare
• Know your family history
• Discuss cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors
• Maintain healthy nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle habits
30s
• Continue recommended cervical cancer screening
• Continue routine preventive care
• Discuss breast cancer risk and family history
• Begin paying attention to changes in menstrual cycles, hormones, metabolic health, and overall wellness
40s
• Begin routine mammograms at age 40 for women at average risk
• Continue cervical cancer screening
• Assess cardiovascular and metabolic health
• Begin conversations about perimenopause and changing hormone patterns
• Evaluate bone health based on individual risk
50s
• Continue mammograms
• Continue cervical cancer screening through age 65, when indicated
• Pay closer attention to bone health as menopause progresses
• Discuss symptoms of menopause and perimenopause
• Monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight, and cardiovascular risk
60s
• Continue mammograms through at least age 74 based on current USPSTF guidance
• Continue cervical cancer screening until criteria for stopping are met
• Assess osteoporosis risk and prepare for DXA screening at 65, or earlier when indicated
• Continue monitoring cardiovascular, metabolic, and overall health
65+
• Bone density screening is recommended at 65
• Continue breast cancer screening based on age, health status, and individual preferences
• Cervical cancer screening may end after 65 if adequate prior screening has been completed and there are no high-risk factors
• Continue individualized preventive healthcare
Your Screening Schedule Should Be Personal
Age-based recommendations are a starting point, not a substitute for individualized healthcare.
Your screening needs may be different if you have:
• A personal history of cancer
• A strong family history of cancer
• Genetic risk factors
• Previous abnormal Pap or mammogram results
• Dense breast tissue
• Early menopause
• Certain medications or medical conditions
• Increased risk for osteoporosis
• Other factors that change your individual risk
Your healthcare provider can help determine whether you should begin screening earlier, screen more frequently, or have additional testing.
Don’t Wait Until Something Is Wrong
Preventive healthcare gives you an opportunity to identify changes early, understand your risks, and make informed decisions about your health.
Schedule the mammogram you’ve been putting off.
Keep your cervical cancer screening up to date.
Know your bone health.
Know your family history.
Know your numbers.
And most importantly, know your body.
At Vital Wellness, we believe women’s healthcare should look at the whole woman, not just a single symptom or lab value.
Our goal is to help women understand their health at every stage of life and create an individualized approach focused on prevention, wellness, and longevity.
Vital Wellness
Health is our mission. Longevity is our commitment.
Screening recommendations may vary based on personal and family history, previous test results, medical conditions, medications, and individual risk factors. This information is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice from your healthcare provider.