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Healthcare Screening Guidelines

Being healthy and staying healthy are not a diet fad. They’re lifelong commitments to eating well and exercising. Just as important are regular health screenings.

IU Women’s Healthcare has a created a page of recommended screening guidelines for women at every stage of life. Of course these guidelines are not intended to take the place of personalized advice from your healthcare provider. If you have or suspect you have a health problem, please contact your physician or make an appointment with an IU Women’s Healthcare doctor.

To make an appointment, please call: 317.274.8231

IU Women’s Healthcare Screening Guidelines
Exam	Age 18 – 39		Age 40 – 49		Age 50 – 64		Age 65 and older
General Physical	Every 1 to 3 yrs		Annually		Annually		Annually
Blood Pressure / pulse	As part of general physical or as needed depending on the baseline results		Annually		Annually		Annually
Pelvic Exam and Pap Test	Pap: Every 2 years starting at age 21. Women 30+ who have had 3 consectuive negative PAPs may be tested every 3 years Pelvic: Yearly at age 21. Younger than 21 and sexually active discuss with your doctor or nurse		Pap: Every 3 years Pelvic : Annually		Pap:Every 3 years Pelvic: Annually		Pap: Discuss with your doctor or nurse Pelvic: Annually
Breast Self-Exam (BSE)				BSE is an option for women starting in their 20s
Mammogram	Usually not needed		Every 1 – 2 years, discuss with your doctor or nurse		Every 1 – 2 years, discuss with your doctor or nurse		Every 1 – 2 years, discuss with your doctor or nurse
Bone Density	Usually not required		Discuss with your doctor or nurse		Discuss with your doctor or nurse		Get baseline bone density scan; review risks and needs yearly with your doctor
Cholesterol Screening	Start at age 20, discuss with your doctor or nurse		Discuss with your doctor or nurse		Discuss with your doctor or nurse		Discuss with your doctor or nurse
Colon Cancer Screening	Usually not required		Usually not required		Yearly fecal occult blood test; Flexible sigmoidoscopy w/ fecal occult blood test every 5 years; Colonoscopy every 10 years		Yearly fecal occult blood test.Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years; Colonoscopy every 10 years. Older than 75, discuss all procedures with your doctor or nurse
Diabetes Screening Blood glucose or A1c test	Usually not required unless risk factor exists		Every 3 years at 45 depending on baseline results		Every 3 years with normal results		Every 3 years with normal results
Urinalysis	Every 1 to 5 years depending on baseline results		Every 1 to 5 years depending on baseline results		Every 1 to 5 years depending on baseline results		Every 1 to 5 years depending on baseline results
Eye and Ear Exam	Eyes: Baseline by 39 Hearing: Start at age 18, then every 10 years		Eyes: Every 2-4 years Hearing: Every 10 years		Eyes: Every 2-4 years until age 55, then every 1-3 years until age 65 Hearing : Every 10 years		Eyes: Every 1-2 years Hearing: Every 10 years
Dental Exam	Twice a year		Twice a year		Twice a year		Twice a year
Skin Cancer Screening	Monthly self-exams of moles and birthmarks; by physician at general physical		Monthly self-exams of moles and birthmarks; by physician at general physical		Monthly self-exams of moles and birthmarks; by physician at general physical		Monthly self-exams of moles and birthmarks; by physician at general physical
Immunizations
Tetanus / Diphtheria	Every 10 years		Every 10 years		Every 10 years		Every 10 years
Influenza (flu)	Annually		Annually		Annually		Annually
Measles/Mumps/Rubella	Up to date		Usually not needed		Usually not needed		Usually not needed
Pneumonia vaccine	Usually not needed		Usually not needed		Usually not needed		At age 65; booster may be required in 5 years
Hepatitis B vaccine				One series for girls ages 13 – 18 if not previously immunized
HPV Vaccine				Age 9 to 26
Herpes zoster (to prevent shingles)		Starting at age 60 – one time only. Check with your doctor or nurse				Starting at age 60 – one time only. Check with your doctor or nurse

These guidelines may vary or change in time because of new research or differences in interpretation by different health organizations. These guidelines are not intended to take the place of recommendations and advice received from your healthcare provider. If you have or suspect you have a health problem, please seek the services of your healthcare provider.