Prevention Guidelines for Women 50–64
Here are the screening tests and immunizations that most women ages 50 to 64 need. A screening test is done to find possible health problems or diseases in people who don't have any symptoms. The goal is to find a disease early so lifestyle changes can be made and you can be watched more closely to lower the risk of disease, or to find it early enough to treat it most effectively. Screening tests are not diagnostic. But they are used to find out if more testing is needed. Health counseling is vital, too. You and your healthcare provider may decide that a different schedule is best for you. But this plan can guide your discussion.
Screening | Who needs it | How often |
|---|---|---|
Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes | All adults starting at age 45 and adults without symptoms at any age who are overweight or obese and have 1 or more additional risk factors for diabetes | At least every 3 years |
Alcohol misuse | All adults | At routine exams |
Blood pressure | All adults | Yearly checkup if your blood pressure is normal.
Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg.1
If your blood pressure reading is higher than normal, follow the advice of your healthcare provider.
|
Breast cancer | All women2 | Yearly mammogram should be done until age 54. At age 55, switch to mammograms every other year. Or you may choose to continue yearly mammograms.2 |
Cervical cancer | All women, except those who have had a hysterectomy with removal of the cervix for reasons not related to cervical cancer and have no history of cervical cancer or serious precancer | Pap test every 3 years or Pap test with human papillomavirus (HPV) test every 5 years |
Chlamydia | Women at a higher risk for infection | At routine exams |
Colorectal cancer | All women of average risk in this age group | According to the American Cancer Society (ACS): For tests that find polyps and cancer:
For tests that primarily find cancer:
You will need a follow-up colonoscopy if you choose any test other than a colonoscopy and you have an abnormal result. Screening recommendations vary among expert groups. Talk with your doctor about which test is best for you. Some people should be screened using a different schedule because of their personal or family history. Talk with your doctor about your health history and what colorectal cancer screening schedule is best for you. |
Depression | All adults in clinical practices that have staff and systems in place to assure accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and follow-up | At routine exams |
Gonorrhea | Sexually active women at a higher risk for infection | At routine exams if at risk |
Hepatitis C | Adults at a higher risk; 1 time for those born between 1945 and 1965 | At routine exams if at risk |
HIV | All women | At routine exams if at risk |
High cholesterol and triglycerides | All women ages 45 and older at a higher risk for coronary artery disease | At least every 5 years |
Obesity | All adults | At routine exams |
Lung cancer | Adults age 55 to 80 who have smoked | Yearly screening in smokers with 30-pack per year history of smoking or who quits within 15 years |
Osteoporosis, postmenopausal women | Women at age 60 who are at a higher risk for fractures caused by osteoporosis | Check with your health care provider |
Syphilis | Adults at a higher risk for infection | At routine exams if at risk |
Tuberculosis | Adults at a higher risk for infection | Check with your healthcare provider. |
Vision | All adults5 | Check with your healthcare provider for exam frequency. |
Counseling | Who needs it | How often |
Aspirin for prevention of cardiovascular problems | At-risk adults Recommended for women ages 55 to 79 years when the potential benefit of reducing strokes outweighs the potential harm of an increase in gastrointestinal bleeding | When risk is identified; talk with your healthcare provider before starting |
Breast cancer, chemoprevention | Women at high risk | When risk is identified |
BRCA mutation testing for breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility | Women with a higher risk | When risk is identified |
Diet and exercise | Women who are overweight or obese | When diagnosed |
Sexually transmitted disease prevention | Adults at a higher risk for infection | At routine exams |
Tobacco use and tobacco-related disease | All adults | Every exam |
Immunization | Who needs it | How often |
Haemophilus influenzae B type | At risk adults | 1 to 3 doses |
Tetanus/diphtheria/ | All adults | One-time Tdap booster, then Td every 10 years |
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) | Adults in this age group through their late 50s who have no previous infection or documented vaccinations6 | 1 to 2 doses |
Chickenpox (varicella) | Adults ages 50 to 64 who have no previous infection or documented vaccinations6 | 2 doses; the second dose should be given at least 4 weeks after the first dose. |
Flu vaccine (seasonal) | All adults | Yearly, when the vaccine becomes available in the community |
Hepatitis A vaccine | People at risk7 | 2 doses given at least 6 months apart |
Hepatitis B vaccine | High risk adults | 3 doses; second dose should be given 1 month after the first dose; the third dose should be given at least 2 months after the second dose (and at least 4 months after the first dose) |
Meningococcal | People at risk6 | 1 or more doses |
Pneumococcal (PCV13) Pneumococcal (PPSV23) | People at risk7 | PCV13: 1 dose ages 19 to 65 (protects against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria) PPSV23: 1 to 2 doses through age 64, or 1 dose at 65 or older (protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria) |
Zoster | All women ages 60 and older6 | 1 dose |
1. American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines
2. American Cancer Society
3. If the test is positive, a colonoscopy should be done.
4. The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the healthcare provider in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.
5. Recommendation from the American Academy of Ophthalmology
6. Exceptions may exist. Please check with your healthcare provider.
7. For complete list, see the CDC website.
Other guidelines from the USPSTF
Immunization schedule from the CDC