Health screenings to protect your well-being
You can take a proactive approach to your health with screenings. Health screenings assess your risk of certain conditions, identify warning signs before you notice symptoms, and help you develop a smart prevention plan, so you can feel confident in your health journey.
You’ll get the support you need from the primary care and women’s health providers at Baylor Scott & White, who are dedicated to protecting your health with the screenings you need, tailored to your age and level of risk.
Heart health screenings
Heart health screenings help identify your risk for heart disease, heart attacks and stroke. Your primary care provider will perform tests to detect:
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar: A screening for diabetes or its precursor, prediabetes
- High cholesterol
You should begin basic heart screenings early in adulthood to establish a baseline. Because heart disease risk increases with age, you may need additional tests as you get older.
These screenings can detect heart problems early, making it easier to manage your symptoms and make your treatment more effective. If some of your test results show any cause for concern, you can start making simple lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, to protect your heart health.
Bone health screenings
For most women, bone density declines with age. Because of this, bone density tests are usually recommended for women aged 65 and older.
A bone density test called a DEXA scan measures calcium and other minerals in the bones. This test can identify osteopenia or osteoporosis (loss of bone mass) and estimate your risk of future bone fractures.
Mammograms
Mammograms are a type of health screening that can help your provider identify breast cancer early, when treatments are more likely to be successful.
Mammograms can detect breast lumps when they are too small to be felt and before you notice any breast cancer symptoms. They can also show benign (non-cancerous) conditions, such as cysts and fibroadenomas.
When you should start having screening mammograms and how often you need them depends on your risk for breast cancer. For women at average risk, it’s recommended to start annual screenings at age 40. Talk with your provider about your risk for breast cancer.
Additional cancer screenings
Many women understand the importance of mammograms for breast cancer, but several other health screenings are a crucial part of your healthcare journey.
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Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer screenings can take place during your annual well-woman exams. Your provider will perform a pap smear test, which examines a sample of cells taken from the cervix for precancerous or cancerous changes.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes most cervical cancers, so your provider may also perform an HPV test. This test is like a pap test but looks for the HPV virus instead of cell changes. HPV can be prevented with a vaccine, so talk to your doctor about your options.
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Colorectal cancer
Colonoscopies, considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer screenings, use an instrument with a tiny camera to check the colon and rectum for signs of cancer or precancerous growths called polyps. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening.
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Lung cancer
The main risk factor for lung cancer is cigarette smoking. A low-dose CT scan can detect cancer before lung cancer symptoms appear.
These lung cancer screenings require a referral from a provider, but you may qualify for screening if you are between ages 50 and 80 and you smoke or have smoked in the past.
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Skin cancer
Skin cancer is very common. Skin cancer screening involves regularly checking your skin for changes and a yearly examination by your healthcare provider.
Women’s mental health screenings
Mental health often affects women differently. As a result, the treatments may vary between men and women. Your primary care or women’s health provider can screen you for mental health issues and help you find the treatment and resources you need.
Never feel shy or embarrassed about discussing your mental health with your healthcare team. Depression, anxiety and even social isolation can prevent you from living a full life, and your provider can be a valuable resource in finding support.
Health screenings for women by age
The right screenings and schedules for you depend on many factors, including your age, genetic makeup, lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and family and personal medical histories.
The screening guidelines listed below are based on people at average risk. If you have an increased risk for heart disease, cancer or osteoporosis, you may need to begin these screenings earlier or have them more frequently than the timeframes listed below. Your primary care provider can tell you which screenings you need and when, to create a timeline tailored to your needs.
Screenings in your 20s
- Cholesterol: At least every 5 years
- Pap/HPV test: Pap test every 1-3 years or Pap/HPV co-test every 5 years
- Skin exam: Yearly
- Breast exam: Yearly
Screenings in your 30s
- Cholesterol: At least every 5 years
- Pap/HPV test Pap test: every 1-3 years or Pap/HPV co-test every 5 years
- Skin exam: Yearly
- Breast exam: Yearly
Screenings in your 40s
- Cholesterol: At least every 5 years
- Colonoscopy: Recommended to start at age 45
- Mammogram: Yearly, beginning at 40
- Pap/HPV test: Pap test every 1-3 years or Pap/HPV co-test every 5 years
- Skin exam: Yearly
- Breast exam: Yearly
Screenings in your 50s
- Cholesterol: At least every 5 years
- Colonoscopy: Every 10 years or based on risk
- Lung cancer screening: Annually, if you qualify, starting at 50
- Mammogram: Yearly
- Pap/HPV test: Pap test every 1-3 years or Pap/HPV co-test every 5 years
- Skin exam: Yearly
- Breast exam: Yearly
Screenings in your 60s
- Bone density: DEXA scan at age 65
- Cholesterol: At least every 5 years
- Colonoscopy: Every 10 years or based on risk
- Lung cancer screening: Annually, if you qualify
- Mammogram: Yearly
- Pap/HPV test: Pap test every 1-3 years or Pap/HPV co-test every 5 years
- Skin exam: Yearly
- Breast exam: Yearly
Screenings at age 70+
- Cholesterol: At least every 5 years
- Colonoscopy: Every 10 years or based on risk
- Lung cancer screening: Annually, if you qualify, until age 80
- Mammogram: Yearly
- Skin exam: Yearly
- Breast exam: Yearly
Find a location near you
Your OBGYN or gynecologist can help you understand which screenings you need and when. Find a provider at a Baylor Scott & White women’s health center in your neighborhood.
AccentCare - Fort Worth
3880 Hulen St , Fort Worth, TX, 76107
AccentCare Home Health of Brenham
526 W Main St , Brenham, TX, 77833
AccentCare Home Health of College Station
119 Medical Park Lane Ste C, Huntsville, TX, 77340
AccentCare Home Health of College Station
1605 Rock Prairie Rd Ste 206, College Station, TX, 77845
AccentCare Home Health Of Denton
225 W. Mulberry St. Ste A, Denton, TX, 76201
AccentCare Home Health Of Desoto
911 York Drive Ste 203, DeSoto, TX, 75115
AccentCare Home Health Of Fort Worth (Arlington)
700 Highlander Blvd Ste 205, Arlington, TX, 76015
AccentCare Home Health of Huntsville
122 Medical Park Lane B , Huntsville, TX, 77340
AccentCare Home Health of Marble Falls
1100 Mission Hills Dr Ste 100, Marble Falls, TX, 78654
AccentCare Home Health Of McKinney
6800 Weiskopf Ave Ste 100, McKinney, TX, 75070
AccentCare Home Health Of Taylor (Hutto)
567 Chris Kelley Blvd Ste 201, Hutto, TX, 78634
AccentCare Home Health Of Temple
3809 S General Bruce Dr Ste 105B, Temple, TX, 76502
AccentCare Home Health Of Waco
8300 Central Park Dr Ste A, Waco, TX, 76712
AdventHealth Central Texas
2201 S Clear Creek Rd , Killeen, TX, 76549
Andrews Women's Hospital at Baylor Scott & White - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White - Hillcrest Infectious Disease Clinic
50 Hillcrest Medical Blvd MOB1, Ste 104, Waco, TX, 76712
Baylor Scott & White - Plano Brain and Spine Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 810, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White - Texas Brain and Spine Institute
900 Scott and White Dr , College Station, TX, 77845
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White - Texas Brain and Spine Institute - Huntsville
122 Medical Park Ln Ste A, Huntsville, TX, 77340
Baylor Scott & White - The Brenham Clinic
600 N Park St , Brenham, TX, 77833
- Monday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White 65+ Clinic
4716 Alliance Blvd Ste 500, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Cardiac Imaging Specialists
1100 Allied Dr , Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Cardiovascular and Imaging Consultants
4708 Alliance Blvd Ste 450, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Digestive Care
3434 Swiss Ave Ste 200, Dallas, TX, 75204
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart and Lung Disease Center - Fort Worth
1420 8th Ave Ste 103, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd , Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Decatur
2401 S FM 51 Ste 200, Decatur, TX, 76234
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Denton
3333 Colorado Blvd , Denton, TX, 76210
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Idabel, OK
4 SE Avenue A , Idabel, OK, 74745
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Keller (Satellite)
3124 N Tarrant Pkwy Ste 204, Keller, TX, 76177
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - McKinney (Satellite)
5236 W University Dr Ste 4450, McKinney, TX, 75071
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Mt Pleasant (Satellite)
1011 N Jefferson Ave , Mt Pleasant, TX, 75455
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Paris
875 S Collegiate Dr , Paris, TX, 75462
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Plano
4716 Dexter Dr Ste 100, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sherman Sycamore (Satellite)
203 E Sycamore St , Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care – Sherman Highland (Satellite)
300 N Highland Ave , Sherman, TX, 75092
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Irving
2001 N MacArthur Blvd Bldg 1, Ste 360, Irving, TX, 75061
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Abilene
1219 E South 11th St Ste B2, Abilene, TX, 79602
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Amarillo
1901 Medi Park Dr Ste 2051, Amarillo, TX, 79106
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Lubbock
3711 22nd St Ste B, Lubbock, TX, 79410
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Midland/Odessa
420 E 6th St Ste 102, Odessa, TX, 79761
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Waxahachie
2360 N Interstate 35E MOB 2, Ste 310, Waxahachie, TX, 75165
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Specialists - Fort Worth
1250 8th Ave Ste 200, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Lung Disease Specialists - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Ambulatory Endoscopy Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 210, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm