Recommended Screenings, Tests, and Immunizations for Women with High-Risk Factors (Part 1 of 4)

This chart lists screenings, tests, or exams you might need more often or earlier because of having high-risk factors or things in your life that increase your chances of developing a condition or disease.

if it applies	Does your family history include?	Then ask your doctor or nurse if you need the following screenings, tests, exams, or vaccines more often or at a younger age:
	High blood pressure	Blood pressure test
	High cholesterol	Cholesterol test
	Heart disease, premature heart disease, or heart attack	Blood pressure test, cholesterol test
	Diabetes	Blood glucose test
	Breast cancer	Mammogram, breast self-exam, clinical breast exam, genetic counseling to discuss breast and ovarian cancer risk, breast MRI, ovarian cancer tests
	Endometrial cancer	Colon screening, Pap test
	Ovarian cancer	Pelvic exam, genetic counseling to discuss ovarian and breast cancer risk, ovarian cancer tests, colon screening, clinical breast exam, mammogram
	Osteoporosis, bone fracture in adulthood	Bone mineral density test
	Thyroid disease or thyroid cancer	Thyroid test and/or genetic counseling to discuss risk of thyroid cancer
	Gum (periodontal) disease	Oral exam
	Hearing problems, deafness	Hearing test
	Vision problems, eye disease, blindness	Vision exam
	Inflammatory bowel disease; colon polyps; colon, ovarian, or endometrial cancer	Colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, DCBE, fecal occult blood test, Pap test, pelvic exam, transvaginal ultrasound, ovarian cancer tests
	Cancer, heart disease, or any health problem at an unusually young age (10 to 20 years before most people get the health problem)	Genetic counseling, possible early screening tests
	Two relatives with the same kind of cancer	Genetic counseling, possible early screening tests
	Certain combination of cancers within a family, such as: breast and ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer and endometrial cancer	Genetic counseling, possible early screening tests
	Birth defects or genetic disorder (you or your partner)	Genetic counseling, possible early screening tests. If you want to become pregnant, genetic counseling for you and your partner.

Additional Resources:

Publications

Fact Sheet — Mammograms — This fact sheet explains the different types of mammograms available, gives facts about their safety and effectiveness, how often a woman should get one, and where she can go to do so.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/mammograms.cfm

Fact Sheet — Heart Disease — This fact sheet on women and heart disease includes information about risk factors, prevention, and treatment of heart disease.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/heart-disease.cfm

Fact Sheet — Inflammatory Bowel Disease — This publication explains the causes, symptoms, complications, and treatment options for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, the 2 main types.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/inflammatory-bowel-disease.cfm

Colonoscopy — This fact sheet explains what a colonoscopy is and why it is performed, how to prepare for one, and how the procedure is performed.

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colonoscopy/index.htm

Diabetes Overview — This fact sheet explains the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It explains how type 2 — the most common kind — is diagnosed, and how it is managed. The fact sheet also provides information on the scope, impact, and cost of diabetes, as well as research currently underway.

http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/overview/index.htm

Endometrial Cancer Screening — Patient Version — This publication gives basic information on endometrial cancer, including its risk factors, symptoms, and tests currently being studied that may help to find this cancer early.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/screening/endometrial/Patient

High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease — This publication explains what high blood pressure is, how it can lead to kidney problems, and how it is diagnosed and treated.

http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/highblood/index.htm

Live Healthier, Live Longer: Cholesterol Counts for Everyone — Visit this interactive page to find a how-to guide for lowering cholesterol and tips to prevent heart disease. This page also gives people with heart disease information on reducing the risk of heart attack.

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/chd/

Osteoporosis Overview — This fact sheet describes what osteoporosis is, lists facts and figures, and gives guidelines for calcium intake and other preventative tips.

http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/default.asp

Understanding Breast Health — This fact sheet explains what your breasts are made of and how a normal breast should look and feel. It also discusses when to see a doctor about changes in the way your breasts normally look and feel, as well as risk factors for breast cancer.

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/pdf/cdc_breast_health_fact_sheet.pdf

What You Need to Know About Breast Cancer — This booklet provides valuable information about breast cancer, including causes, screening, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Additionally, this booklet offers women with breast cancer information on how to cope with the disease.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/breast

What You Need To Know About Ovarian Cancer — This booklet on ovarian cancer discusses possible causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as emotional aspects of living with cancer. It also provides a list of questions to ask the doctor.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/ovary

What You Should Know About Low Vision — This booklet can help people with vision loss and their families and friends better understand low vision and its effects on daily living. It describes how to get help and live more safely and independently.

http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/lowvision/LowVisPatBro2.pdf

Your Guide to Lowering High Blood Pressure — This Web site, sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, is an interactive guide that answers common questions about high blood pressure and offers tips and quizzes. It also provides information on medications and suggestions on how to talk to your doctor.

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/index.html

http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1164.asp

http://www.medem.com/search/article_display.cfm?path=\\TANQUERAY\M_ContentItem&mstr=/M_ContentItem/ZZZR...

Genetic Counseling (Copyright © March of Dimes) — This publication provides information on genetic counseling and explains who would benefit from genetic counseling, what to expect during a consultation, and where to find a genetic counselor.

http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/4439_15008.asp

Hearing Screening (Copyright © ASHA) — Hearing screening is important for people of all ages, especially newborns and people over 50. This publication discusses why and how hearing screening is performed among newborns, school aged children, and adults.

http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/testing/

Organizations

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated March 1, 2009.

Preventive Health