Female Lifetime Check-Ups
Check-Up / Screening | Recommended Age / Frequency | Importance | Key Notes (incl. SA Context) | Remind me |
Routine Wellness / Physical Exam | Every 3-5 years (19-49); annually (50+ or with conditions) | High | Foundation for prevention; includes BP and counselling; public clinics in SA | yes |
Blood Pressure Screening | Start at 18; every 1-2 years if normal; more often if elevated | High | Prevents heart disease/stroke | yes |
Cholesterol / Lipid Panel | 20-35 if risks; all women 35-75 routinely; repeat 4-6 years | High | Cardiovascular risk reduction | yes |
Diabetes / Prediabetes Screening | Start at 35 (earlier if overweight); every 3 years if normal | High | Often silent until complications | yes |
Colorectal Cancer Screening | Average risk: Start at 45-50 to 75 (colonoscopy/FIT per doctor) | High | CANSA: From age 50; highly preventable | yes |
Breast Cancer Screening (Mammography) | Biennial from 40-74 (option to start earlier; annual possible per ACS) | High | USPSTF: Biennial 40-74; CANSA/DoH: Clinical breast exam from 40; discuss family history | yes |
Cervical Cancer Screening (Pap/HPV) | Ages 21-29: Pap every 3 years; 30-65: Pap every 3 yrs or HPV every 5 yrs or co-testing every 5 yrs | High | SA DoH/CANSA: 3 lifetime Pap smears at 30, 40, 50 (free at clinics); annual for HIV+ | yes |
Osteoporosis / Bone Density (DEXA) | Start at 65 (or earlier with risk factors: early menopause, family history, steroids, low BMI) | High | Earlier screening for high-risk women | yes |