I admit it; I’m a big believer of “if you ignore something long enough it’ll just go away.” Regrettably I tend to follow this adage in all aspects of my life. This is especially true when it comes my health. I’ve been very fortunate in that I am an exceptionally healthy individual and rarely get sick or injured. But, recently I hurt my leg. I’m not sure what I did or when because, of course, I had been ignoring it for a while now. The other day after going for a short run (which was probably a little frightening to anyone in my near vicinity because I was in excruciating pain and was making, I’m sure, some pretty scary faces) I really hurt myself. I finished the run limping a little and by the time I got home I could barely walk. I had to hold on to the walls in my house just to move around. It was pretty pathetic.

I finally realised that I couldn’t ignore it any more, the problem wasn’t going away and I had to take action. This whole experience got me thinking about my health in general. I tend to avoid going to the doctor or getting any kind of health evaluation relying instead on the belief that since I’ve always been pretty healthy and I’m not experiencing any issues, why bother?


The reality is if you catch something in the early stages of decline, injury or any other compromised position, chances are, it won’t slow you down in the long run. Basically it’s the old adage: a little prevention going a long way. And if it turns out you really are completely well, then that just gives you a good baseline with which to measure future evaluations.

So what tests do you really need to worry about and which ones can you skip? According to the experts (I asked various medical professionals and consulted with several health websites and read a couple medical periodicals), the following are the five most important tests a woman should get every year.

#1: Heart Health: Cholesterol Levels and Blood Pressure

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. Fortunately this is a preventable condition. According to Marianne J. Legato, MD, a professor of clinical medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City and the founder of the Foundation for Gender Specific Medicine, "...80% of coronary disease can be prevented with proper lifestyle modifications including healthy diet and increased physical activity."

The best way to know where you stand on the heart disease continuum is get a blood test for total cholesterol levels, HDL "good" cholesterol, LDL "bad" cholesterol, and blood fats known as triglycerides. Also, you should have your blood pressure taken, as high blood pressure is another major risk factor for heart disease.

#2: Pap Test

I realise the idea of lying with your legs up in stirrups being probed by an icy cold speculum (seriously, why are they always freezing) is not the most enticing idea, but an annual Pap test can save your life. During a Pap test, a small sample of cells from the surface of your cervix is taken and examined for abnormalities that may indicate cancer or changes that could lead to cancer. Cervical cancer was once the leading cause of death for women but the widespread use of the Pap test has significantly decreased deaths from this cancer.

#3: Mammograms and Self-Breast Exams

Women aged 40 and older should get a mammogram (breast X-ray) every one or two years. And women in their 20s and 30s should have a breast exam by a doctor annually to feel for suspicious lumps and bumps. And more importantly, you should conduct a self-breast exam monthly so you know what feels normal for you.

#4: Colonoscopy

Ok, if you thought the Pap was fun, wait until you hear about this test! A colonoscopy allows a doctor to see and closely inspect the inside of the rectum and entire colon for signs of cancer, polyps, or small growths that can eventually become cancerous. After receiving medication to help you sleep and/or relax, a colonoscope is gently eased inside the colon; it has a tiny video camera, which sends pictures to a TV monitor. Small puffs of air are introduced into the colon to keep it open and allow the doctor to see clearly.

Beginning at age 50, women who are at average risk for developing colorectal cancer should have a colonoscopy every 10 years. If you’ve had a family member with colorectal cancer, you should have a colonoscopy 10 years before your relative was diagnosed. Not fun, but again, a life saver.

#5: Skin Exam

According to various dermatologists, every woman at the age of 18 should start having an annual skin exam by their dermatologist. At first this sounded a little suspicious to me but basically this allows a professional to conduct a head-to-toe skin exam looking for unusual brown or red spots. You can also conduct a skin self-exam using a hand mirror. Just don't forget to check for unusual or new moles on your fingernails, the bottom of your feet and toes, and your underarms – we tend to forget about these areas. The earlier you start doing this, the better you will know your skin, and if you find something suspicious, your brain will set off an alarm and that will bring you in to see your doctor earlier. Melanoma accounts for about 4% of skin cancer cases, but it causes most skin cancer deaths. Once again early detection and treatment can save lives.

It makes sense, we get our cars inspected annually, our pets go to the vet for evaluations and yet we tend to ignore our own health until we experience a problem. It seems so silly. From now on, schedule a day, once a year (your birthday?) to get an exam and get these baseline tests. Thinking you’re completely healthy and knowing you are can make all the difference.

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