Women’s Health Checks: Which Screenings and When

Regular health checks give women a greater chance of detecting changes, often before any symptoms appear. Many serious conditions, including cervical cancer, breast cancer and osteoporosis, are among the conditions that screening aims to detect early. 

Health needs change across a lifetime, so the right combination of checks will differ from one person to the next.

 The information below is a general overview. A GP can tailor a screening schedule to individual age, family history and risk factors.

Why regular women’s health checks matter

Preventative care is a core part of general practice.  Routine screening allows conditions to be identified early, when treatment tends to be simpler and outcomes are better. It also builds a clearer picture of overall health over time, which helps detect  changes that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Cervical Screening Test

The Cervical Screening Test is one of the most important routine checks for women. It replaced the older Pap test in 2017 and works differently. Rather than looking for abnormal cells, the Cervical Screening Test checks for human papillomavirus (HPV), the common infection responsible for almost all cervical cancers.

Under the National Cervical Screening Program, women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 74 are advised to have a Cervical Screening Test every five years. Anyone eligible can now choose between a sample collected by a clinician or a self-collected sample, both of which are considered safe and accurate. 

A common question is cervical screening vs Pap smear. The short answer is that the Cervical Screening Test has replaced the Pap smear entirely, and the five-yearly test is more effective at preventing cervical cancer than the two-yearly Pap test it succeeded.

Breast screening and mammograms

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian women, and screening plays a central role in catching it early. A screening mammogram uses a low-dose x-ray to find changes in breast tissue that may be too small to see or feel.

BreastScreen Australia provides free mammograms every two years. Women aged 40 to 49 and those aged 75 and over are also eligible for free screening but are not sent invitations. The Department of Health notes that most women aged 40 to 49 will not benefit from regular mammograms, and suggests talking to a doctor about whether screening is right for them.

Family history and other risk factors can affect what screening is appropriate. BreastScreen Australia suggests that women outside the invited age range talk to a GP about whether breast screening is right for them.factors should speak to a GP, as earlier or more frequent screening may be recommended. 

Cancer Council Australia also encourages breast awareness — knowing the normal look and feel of your breasts — alongside screening, and suggests raising any changes with a doctor. 

Heart health checks

Heart disease is often thought of as a men’s health issue, but it is a leading cause of death for women in Australia too. A heart health check assesses the risk of a heart attack or stroke over the coming years.

The check usually involves measuring blood pressure and cholesterol, along with a discussion of lifestyle, family history and other risk factors. A heart health check is generally recommended from age 45, or from age 30 for First Nations people. The doctors practising at Carina Medical and Specialist Centre can carry out this assessment as part of a broader general practice consultation.

Bone density testing

Bone density naturally declines with age, and women are at greater risk of osteoporosis after menopause due to falling oestrogen levels. Osteoporosis weakens bones and makes fractures more likely, often without any warning signs until a break occurs.

A bone density test is a simple scan that measures bone strength. The RACGP and Healthy Bones Australia guideline addresses osteoporosis risk in postmenopausal women and men over 50, with bone density testing where risk factors such as previous fracture, family history or long-term use of certain medications are present. Whether a scan is appropriate is for a GP to assess. Calcium and vitamin D intake are among the factors that affect bone health. A GP can advise whether a referral to a dietitian would be useful. 

Blood tests: iron, cholesterol and blood sugar

Routine blood tests are a valuable part of a women’s health check. Common tests include iron studies, which can identify iron deficiency, a frequent issue for women of reproductive age. Iron studies are among the tests a GP may order after considering a person’s symptoms, history and examination. Fatigue and reduced concentration have many possible causes, and a GP will work through these before deciding whether testing is useful.

Cholesterol and blood sugar tests are also important, as they help detect risk factors for heart disease and type 2 diabetes early. A GP can advise how often these tests are needed based on individual health and family history.

Sexual and reproductive health

Sexual and reproductive health care covers a broad range of needs across a lifetime, from contraception and fertility advice to menstrual health and menopause support. STI testing is a routine and confidential part of this care. What testing is appropriate, and how often, varies with age, sexual history and other factors, and is something a GP can advise on. 

Discussing these matters with a GP means care can be tailored to each stage of life. The women’s health services offered at Carina Medical and Specialist Centre are described in more detail on the women’s health page.

Skin checks

Queensland has some of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, which makes regular skin checks an important part of preventative care for women living in the Sunshine State. A skin check involves a thorough examination of the skin to identify any suspicious moles, spots or growths.

How often a skin check is needed depends on skin type, sun exposure and family history. A new or changing spot is worth raising with a doctor, who can assess whether closer examination is needed. More information is available on the skin checks page.

A simple guide to what and when

While a GP will personalise any screening plan, the following gives a general sense of the routine checks to keep in mind:

• Cervical Screening Test: every five years from age 25 to 74
• Breast screening (mammogram): every two years from age 50 to 74, and available from age 40
• Heart health check: from age 45, or from age 30 for First Nations people
• Bone density test: after menopause or where risk factors are present
• Blood tests and blood pressure: as advised by a GP, often at a regular check-up
• Skin checks: regularly, based on individual risk

To learn more about the value of staying on top of these checks, read why women’s health matters.

Book a women’s health check in Brisbane

Staying up to date with routine screenings is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect long-term health. The doctors practising at Carina Medical and Specialist Centre offer a full range of women’s health services and can help build a screening schedule suited to each individual.

The clinic is located at 1045 Wynnum Road, Cannon Hill, and is open seven days a week with extended hours. To arrange a women’s health check, book an appointment online or call the friendly reception team.