{"id":31964,"date":"2024-05-30T15:32:10","date_gmt":"2024-05-30T19:32:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/?p=31964"},"modified":"2025-01-15T09:30:44","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T14:30:44","slug":"what-health-appointments-should-women-make-as-they-age","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getmaple.ca\/blog\/what-health-appointments-should-women-make-as-they-age\/","title":{"rendered":"What Health Appointments Should Women Make as They Age?"},"content":{"rendered":"

As women get older, their healthcare needs <\/span>change<\/span><\/a>. While scheduling the usual check-ups, screenings, and immunizations remains important, there are a few new tests and boosters you need to add to your to-do list as you reach a new decade.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s because your risk of certain diseases, disorders, and cancers increases over time, and practicing proactive health by getting tests done even before symptoms arrive may help improve longevity and quality of life. Forty-five percent of Canadians<\/span> live with a preventable disease<\/span><\/a>, and following health recommendations <\/span>could extend their lives by up to 10 years<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this blog, we outline the appointments and screening tests you need to take control of your health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Doctor appointments women should make annually, no matter their age<\/b><\/h4>\n

Primary care providers<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Starting around age 18, it\u2019s time to switch from a pediatrician to a family doctor or general practitioner. A <\/span>family doctor<\/span><\/a> helps you maintain good health by providing physical exams to collect information about your health, check vital signs, and track your health trends over time. They also ensure you get necessary screenings and vaccinations depending on your age, health history, and family health history to prevent illness and promote longevity. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>If you\u2019re among the <\/span>6.5 million Canadians<\/span><\/a> without a family doctor and don\u2019t know where to seek care, you can check in with a Canadian-licensed doctor or nurse practitioner directly with Maple if you have questions about how to start seeking care. Specialists can also be booked directly on Maple without a referral, and there are a range of <\/span>psychotherapists<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>psychologists<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>mental health physicians<\/span><\/a> who can offer you care on an as-needed basis.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t have any urgent health concerns, you may not need to visit your doctor every year for a check-up. Depending on your age and health risks, you can wait a little longer between visits. Your doctor will let you know when they want to see you again.<\/span><\/p>\n


\n<\/b>Preventive health and screening for women<\/b><\/h4>\n

It is recommended that healthy adult females are screened for:<\/span><\/p>\n

Blood pressure<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke and should be checked regularly by a healthcare provider. This screening is particularly important for women since <\/span>more<\/span><\/a> Canadian women than men are diagnosed with high blood pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cholesterol<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Cholesterol is a fat found in the blood that can form fatty deposits on your artery walls and block blood flow. The Canadian Cardiovascular Society recommends a cholesterol screening to anyone 40 or older, or younger for those with risk factors for heart disease. Early detection of modifiable risk factors can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular disease by <\/span>up to 80 percent<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Diabetes<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Over <\/span>3 million<\/span><\/a> Canadians are living with diabetes. Diabetes is when your body cannot produce insulin or it cannot properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone your pancreas produces; it regulates how much glucose (sugar) is in your blood. Diabetes Canada recommends getting tested with either a fasting glucose and\/or a hemoglobin A1C blood test every three years starting at age 40. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>This should be done sooner if you\u2019re at a high risk \u2014 meaning, you\u2019re overweight or prediabetic, have a close relative with diabetes, have high blood pressure, or have a history of heart disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

Osteoporosis<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Over <\/span>2.3 million<\/span><\/a> Canadians live with osteoporosis, a reduction in bone mass. It\u2019s a disease that\u2019s significantly more common in women than men. Your healthcare provider may recommend a <\/span>bone density test<\/span><\/a> (an X-ray that measures the strength and density of your bones) if you <\/span>have<\/span><\/a> a broken bone from a minor injury, have a condition that causes bone thinning (like hyperthyroidism and rheumatoid arthritis), have a family history of the condition or if you smoke or get limited exercise. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Osteoporosis Canada recommends all women age 65 and older have regular bone density tests to check for osteoporosis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

If sexually active you should be screened regularly for c<\/span>hlamydia and gonorrhea<\/span><\/a>, because most often these infections have no symptoms at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vision<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Appointments with an optometrist are important not only because they can ensure you\u2019re seeing clearly (or write a prescription to make that happen), but they can also help prevent certain eye conditions. Adults between 20 and 64 should have an eye exam every two years, but those with diabetes should have one every year. After age 65, you should have an eye exam every year since you\u2019re more at risk of getting weakened vision and having an eye condition.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hearing<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Hearing loss is the reduced ability to hear sounds, whether gradually or suddenly. It can occur at any age, and it has many causes. Contact your healthcare provider for a test if you\u2019re experiencing any issues such as an inability to hear whispers, hear with one ear, or listen at high decibel levels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Routine dental care<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Dental health experts recommend teeth cleaning once or twice a year, depending on how well you care for your teeth and gums if you have dental problems and how fast tartar builds up on your teeth. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Just be sure to visit your dentist at least once a year \u2014 they can help with proactive dental care, treating issues before they worsen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cancer screening for females<\/b><\/h4>\n

Skin cancer<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

There are many skin woes \u2014 like acne, psoriasis, or unwanted wrinkles \u2014 that might prompt you to book an appointment with your dermatologist. With the increasing strength of UV rays and <\/span>higher rates of melanoma<\/span><\/a>, it\u2019s important that your skin is screened for melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers regularly. This can be done by your doctor or a dermatologist.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, seeing a specialist like a dermatologist isn\u2019t always easy \u2014 you need a referral, and it can take months to get in. If that\u2019s the situation you find yourself in, virtual care might be the right option for you. If you\u2019re in Toronto, you can try our <\/span>mole scanning service<\/span><\/a> to learn if you have any suspicious spots. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Have a question about a skin condition or hair loss? <\/span>Dermatologists<\/span><\/a> on Maple who can offer advice and a prescription if necessary, and are available for direct booking without a referral.<\/span><\/p>\n

Breast cancer<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in Canadian women \u2014 <\/span>one in eight women<\/span><\/a> is predicted to get breast cancer in their lifetime. But mammograms can help. They involve an X-ray that delivers a picture of the breast\u2019s internal structure to screen for cancers that cannot be seen or felt. <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Screening recommendations are about to change in Canada:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n