Moms nurture us. They cheer on our first steps, hold us when we’re afraid, and always put our needs above their own. But moms spend so much time giving to others that they sometimes put their health last.
So, this May, let’s do more than just celebrate mom. Let’s help her stay healthier, too.
Where to begin? Start by asking mom whether she’s up to date on her most essential health tests. These 5 top health screenings for women can detect serious conditions in their earliest stages, when they are most treatable. Read on to learn more about each screening and discover where to find them in North Idaho.
1. Mammogram
Breast cancer affects about 1 in every 8 women in the U.S. each year. Symptoms include lumps in the breast or underarm, thickening or swelling in part of the breast, or redness in the nipple area. While regular self-exams can help find these telltale signs, breast cancer may not cause any symptoms in its earliest stages. That’s why getting regular mammograms is so important.
A mammogram is an X-ray image of the breast. It’s a non-invasive test that’s effective, correctly identifying early signs of breast cancer in women 87% of the time.
Who should get one: The most recent guidelines recommend that women at average risk for breast cancer should get their first mammogram at age 40 and continue getting one every year thereafter. Women at higher risk should alternate mammograms with another test, breast MRI, once every six months starting at age 40. Risk factors include having a family history, increased age, a history of past breast cancer or some non-cancerous breast tissues, and having dense breasts. Ask your medical provider to assess your risks and create a personalized screening plan.
Where to get a mammogram in North Idaho: Breast cancer doesn’t wait. Why should mom? At Northwest Breast Imaging Center in Post Falls, women can get an appointment scheduled within days of calling—not weeks. The center offers the most comfortable, personalized breast imaging experience in the Inland Northwest, with a private check-in and secure, private dressing areas. Women receiving mammograms receive a cozy robe, not a gown. The center is staffed by expert technologists and a full line of state-of-the-art imaging technology, including breast MRI and 3D mammography, which is helpful in detecting breast cancer in women with dense breast tissue.
What’s it like to have a mammogram at our center? Take it from one of our recent patients:
“Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Appointment was scheduled within days of calling. Not weeks/months. Mammograms aren’t fun but so necessary. My technician made the situation comfortable, and I was able to relax more than I ever have with this type of screening…”
Schedule your mammogram today. Call 208-770-3540. No referral needed.
2. Cervical cancer
More than 13,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. Cervical cancer can occur in women of any age, with women between ages 35 and 44 most likely to receive a diagnosis.
Two types of screenings help find cervical cancer. One, a Pap test, can detect the presence of abnormal cells in the cervix early. The other, an HPV test, looks for indications of human papillomavirus, a leading cause of cervical cancer.
Who should get screened: A woman’s testing schedule varies based on her age and prior test results.
- Women between ages 20 – 29 should get a Pap test once every three years
- Women between ages 30 – 65 should receive a Pap test and HPV test every five years or a Pap test alone every three years
- Women ages 65 and older no longer need a Pap test or HPV test
Women with a past positive test result should talk with their doctor about developing an appropriate follow-up testing schedule.
Where to get a Pap test or HPV test in North Idaho: The team at Northwest Family Medicine performs routine wellness exams, including Pap tests and HPV tests, for women throughout the Inland Northwest. With three locations nearby, our family medicine providers are close to home and ready to see you.
- Make an appointment in Coeur d’Alene: 208-209-2066
- Make an appointment in Post Falls: 208-262-2213
- Make an appointment in Athol: 208-561-9901
3. Colonoscopy
Many people think of colorectal cancer as a man’s disease. Women, however, get it, too. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in women and the third most common cause of cancer-related death, with nearly 53,000 cases expected to be diagnosed in women this year.
While there are multiple types of colorectal cancer sceenings, colonoscopy remains the gold standard. A colonoscopy finds and removes polyps and tumors that may indicate early signs of cancer. It’s the only test that can both diagnose and treat colorectal cancer at the same time.
Who should get screened: Colorectal cancer rates are rising in younger adults, which is why guidelines recommend women at average risk should get their first colonoscopy at age 45. Women should get a repeat colonoscopy every 10 years, or more often if they are at high risk (such as having a first-degree relative with colon cancer) or if they have had a prior positive test result.
Where to get a colonoscopy in North Idaho: Northwest Endoscopy Center in Post Falls offers a private, patients-first colonoscopy experience. Women undergoing a colonoscopy will receive it inside a private room from a medical team with extensive training in advanced endoscopy.
Schedule a colonoscopy today. Call 208-262-2489. No referral necessary.
4. DEXA scan (bone density test)
As women age, their bones begin to thin, and thin bones are more likely to break. Most of the time, women don’t notice the signs of bone loss until they suffer a fracture. A DEXA scan is a low-dose X-ray that measures the density of a woman’s bones. It’s the best way to diagnose two bone-thinning related conditions, osteopenia (a mild thinning of bone) and osteoporosis (a more significant thinning). Nearly 1 in 5 women over age 50 are affected by osteoporosis.
Who should get screened: Guidelines recommend that women at average risk for osteoporosis should get regular DEXA scans beginning at age 65. However, women with risk factors such as a thin build, smoking, a family history, or a prior history of fractures, should have their first DEXA scan at age 50. Your doctor will help you determine when you should start DEXA scans and how often you should repeat the test.
Where to get a DEXA scan in North Idaho: Northwest Bone Health in Post Falls is home to an endocrinologist who specializes in osteoporosis and osteopenia. Our team can assess your overall bone health and recommend the DEXA screening plan that works best for you. DEXA scans are performed at Northwest Imaging Center in Post Falls, a friendly, comfortable center that’s open 7 days a week.
Make a bone health appointment. Call 208-262-2439.
5. Annual wellness exam (well woman visit)
A well-woman visit, also called an annual wellness exam, helps women keep track of their overall health. During the visit, women review their health history with their doctor and receive a physical exam. They will also get bloodwork that can identify many common causes of health-related problems in women, including:
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar (diabetes)
- High cholesterol or other signs of heart disease
- Evidence of any sexually transmitted diseases
Who should get an annual wellness exam: Women should receive at least one preventive care visit per year beginning in adolescence.
Where to get a well-woman visit in North Idaho: The providers at Northwest Family Medicine care for women at all ages and stages. Our highly skilled physicians will get to know you and develop a preventive health strategy aimed at enhancing your mind, body and spirit.
- Make an appointment in Coeur d’Alene: 208-209-2066
- Make an appointment in Post Falls: 208-262-2213
- Make an appointment in Athol: 208-561-9901
Give mom the gift of better health
Wellness is a gift that keeps on giving. If you’re a mom, put yourself first and schedule the screenings you need. And if you know a great mom, forward this blog post to her and let her know you’re thinking about her health and well-being.