Health screenings to protect your well-being
You can take a proactive approach to your health with screenings. Health screenings assess your risk of certain conditions, identify warning signs before you notice symptoms, and help you develop a smart prevention plan, so you can feel confident in your health journey.
You’ll get the support you need from the primary care and women’s health providers at Baylor Scott & White, who are dedicated to protecting your health with the screenings you need, tailored to your age and level of risk.
Heart health screenings
Heart health screenings help identify your risk for heart disease, heart attacks and stroke. Your primary care provider will perform tests to detect:
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar: A screening for diabetes or its precursor, prediabetes
- High cholesterol
You should begin basic heart screenings early in adulthood to establish a baseline. Because heart disease risk increases with age, you may need additional tests as you get older.
These screenings can detect heart problems early, making it easier to manage your symptoms and make your treatment more effective. If some of your test results show any cause for concern, you can start making simple lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, to protect your heart health.
Bone health screenings
For most women, bone density declines with age. Because of this, bone density tests are usually recommended for women aged 65 and older.
A bone density test called a DEXA scan measures calcium and other minerals in the bones. This test can identify osteopenia or osteoporosis (loss of bone mass) and estimate your risk of future bone fractures.
Mammograms
Mammograms are a type of health screening that can help your provider identify breast cancer early, when treatments are more likely to be successful.
Mammograms can detect breast lumps when they are too small to be felt and before you notice any breast cancer symptoms. They can also show benign (non-cancerous) conditions, such as cysts and fibroadenomas.
When you should start having screening mammograms and how often you need them depends on your risk for breast cancer. For women at average risk, it’s recommended to start annual screenings at age 40. Talk with your provider about your risk for breast cancer.
Additional cancer screenings
Many women understand the importance of mammograms for breast cancer, but several other health screenings are a crucial part of your healthcare journey.
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Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer screenings can take place during your annual well-woman exams. Your provider will perform a pap smear test, which examines a sample of cells taken from the cervix for precancerous or cancerous changes.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes most cervical cancers, so your provider may also perform an HPV test. This test is like a pap test but looks for the HPV virus instead of cell changes. HPV can be prevented with a vaccine, so talk to your doctor about your options.
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Colorectal cancer
Colonoscopies, considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer screenings, use an instrument with a tiny camera to check the colon and rectum for signs of cancer or precancerous growths called polyps. Learn more about colorectal cancer screening.
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Lung cancer
The main risk factor for lung cancer is cigarette smoking. A low-dose CT scan can detect cancer before lung cancer symptoms appear.
These lung cancer screenings require a referral from a provider, but you may qualify for screening if you are between ages 50 and 80 and you smoke or have smoked in the past.
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Skin cancer
Skin cancer is very common. Skin cancer screening involves regularly checking your skin for changes and a yearly examination by your healthcare provider.
Women’s mental health screenings
Mental health often affects women differently. As a result, the treatments may vary between men and women. Your primary care or women’s health provider can screen you for mental health issues and help you find the treatment and resources you need.
Never feel shy or embarrassed about discussing your mental health with your healthcare team. Depression, anxiety and even social isolation can prevent you from living a full life, and your provider can be a valuable resource in finding support.
Health screenings for women by age
The right screenings and schedules for you depend on many factors, including your age, genetic makeup, lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and family and personal medical histories.
The screening guidelines listed below are based on people at average risk. If you have an increased risk for heart disease, cancer or osteoporosis, you may need to begin these screenings earlier or have them more frequently than the timeframes listed below. Your primary care provider can tell you which screenings you need and when, to create a timeline tailored to your needs.
Screenings in your 20s
- Cholesterol: At least every 5 years
- Pap/HPV test: Pap test every 1-3 years or Pap/HPV co-test every 5 years
- Skin exam: Yearly
- Breast exam: Yearly
Screenings in your 30s
- Cholesterol: At least every 5 years
- Pap/HPV test Pap test: every 1-3 years or Pap/HPV co-test every 5 years
- Skin exam: Yearly
- Breast exam: Yearly
Screenings in your 40s
- Cholesterol: At least every 5 years
- Colonoscopy: Recommended to start at age 45
- Mammogram: Yearly, beginning at 40
- Pap/HPV test: Pap test every 1-3 years or Pap/HPV co-test every 5 years
- Skin exam: Yearly
- Breast exam: Yearly
Screenings in your 50s
- Cholesterol: At least every 5 years
- Colonoscopy: Every 10 years or based on risk
- Lung cancer screening: Annually, if you qualify, starting at 50
- Mammogram: Yearly
- Pap/HPV test: Pap test every 1-3 years or Pap/HPV co-test every 5 years
- Skin exam: Yearly
- Breast exam: Yearly
Screenings in your 60s
- Bone density: DEXA scan at age 65
- Cholesterol: At least every 5 years
- Colonoscopy: Every 10 years or based on risk
- Lung cancer screening: Annually, if you qualify
- Mammogram: Yearly
- Pap/HPV test: Pap test every 1-3 years or Pap/HPV co-test every 5 years
- Skin exam: Yearly
- Breast exam: Yearly
Screenings at age 70+
- Cholesterol: At least every 5 years
- Colonoscopy: Every 10 years or based on risk
- Lung cancer screening: Annually, if you qualify, until age 80
- Mammogram: Yearly
- Skin exam: Yearly
- Breast exam: Yearly
Find a location near you
Your OBGYN or gynecologist can help you understand which screenings you need and when. Find a provider at a Baylor Scott & White women’s health center in your neighborhood.
AccentCare - Fort Worth
3880 Hulen St , Fort Worth, TX, 76107
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Idabel, OK
4 SE Avenue A , Idabel, OK, 74745
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Mt Pleasant (Satellite)
1011 N Jefferson Ave , Mt Pleasant, TX, 75455
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Paris
875 S Collegiate Dr , Paris, TX, 75462
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac Surgery - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Liver Consultants of Texas - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White North Texas Colon and Rectal Associates - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Center for Advanced Surgery - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Liver Consultants of Texas - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White North Texas Colon and Rectal Associates - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Center for Thoracic Surgery - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75702
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac Surgery - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Touchstone Imaging Tyler
2019 Old Troup Hwy , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital
1814 Roseland Blvd Ste 100, Tyler, TX, 75701
Glen Oaks Hospital
301 Division St , Greenville, TX, 75401
Baylor Scott & White Surgical Hospital - Sherman
3601 N Calais St , Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Urgent Care+ Sherman
4028 N Hwy 75 , Sherman, TX, 75090
- Monday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital Urgent Care - Tyler
8101 S Broadway Ave , Tyler, TX, 75703
- Monday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Texas Vascular Associates - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care Associates Pediatrics - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 110, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Imaging Center - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 200, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Outpatient Rehabilitation - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 120, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic Associates of Dallas - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care Associates - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 100, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Gastroenterology - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
Baylor Scott & White Endoscopy Center - Sherman
1615 US-75 Ste B, Sherman, TX, 75090
Sherman Endoscopy Center
1615 N Hwy 75 , Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Women's Care & Continence Center - Sherman
260 E Evergreen St , Sherman, TX, 75090
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sherman Sycamore (Satellite)
203 E Sycamore St , Sherman, TX, 75090
Texas Vascular Associates - Sherman
230 E Sycamore St Ste 105, Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Group - Sherman
230 E Sycamore St Ste 205, Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Arrhythmia Management - Sherman
230 E Sycamore St Ste 205, Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care – Sherman Highland (Satellite)
300 N Highland Ave , Sherman, TX, 75092
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases Group - Sherman
204 Medical Dr Ste 240, Sherman, TX, 75092
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care - Van Alstyne
250 N Collin McKinney Pkwy , Van Alstyne, TX, 75495
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Anna
601 S. Ferguson Pkwy Ste 100, Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Royse City
594 W Interstate 30 , Royse City, TX, 75189
- Monday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd , Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases Group - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd Ste 104, Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Texas Cardiac Associates - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care Associates - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Surgical Institute - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
- Monday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - McKinney Red Bud
1705 W University Dr Ste 119, McKinney, TX, 75069
Baylor Scott & White Institute For Rehabilitation - McKinney Lake Forest
1705 W University Dr Ste 119, McKinney, TX, 75069
Baylor Scott & White Institute For Rehabilitation - McKinney University
1705 W University Dr Ste 119, McKinney, TX, 75069