A timeline of FSA-eligible screenings all women should get

Did you ever get a birthday card that joked about your age? While we may embrace or dread the numbers, milestone birthdays are perfect reminders to check in on your health. That’s why we created this comprehensive list of the screenings you should be thinking about when you blow out those birthday candles. Bonus? Your FSA can help cover many of these screenings, turning “I should probably do that someday” into “I can actually schedule this now.”

Now, we're not doctors. But we are patients. And the following article represents a series of tests and procedures recommended to us as we age. Always speak to a qualified medical professional before making any changes to your health routine.

Your 20s and 30s

A pap smear can elicit all sorts of feelings from younger and older women alike. But this is one test that's definitely necessary, and relatively painless. Starting at age 21 (and every three years after) this test is done at your annual OB/GYN visit. Your doctor will gently scrape a few cells from the cervix, which are then checked for cervical cancer.

At age 25, in addition to a pap test, you should also make it a priority to have a human papillomavirus (HPV) test. This test also looks for traces of some types of HPV on your cervix. The most common sexually transmitted infection, HPV can also lead to genital warts and even cause some types of cancer.

You might be thinking “I was vaccinated for HPV when I was nine. Do I still need to get screened?” The answer is, yes. Even though the vaccine reduces the risk of HPV-related cancers, it doesn't protect against all HPV types and may not clear existing infections.

High cholesterol probably isn't at the top of your list of health concerns in your 20s, but the American Heart Association recommends you have your cholesterol checked starting at age 20 and every 4 to 6 years, or more frequently if you have risk factors for heart disease, afterwards. This test is done via your general practitioner with a blood test.

Your 40s and 50s

You should start getting regular mammograms between the ages of 40-44 and yearly from ages 45-54, according to the American Cancer Society. For those 55 and older, screenings every two years is sufficient.

If there’s a family history of breast cancer, especially a first-degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter) diagnosed with breast cancer, your risk increases, and screening may need to start earlier, often 5-10 years before the age at which a relative was diagnosed, or even earlier if there's a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation.

So why are mammograms important? Basically, a mammogram is an x-ray of the breast that helps doctors detect early signs of breast cancer—up to three years earlier than it can be felt. For women with dense breast tissue or family history, sonograms and MRIs are complementary screening tools for early detection as well.

At age 45 and every three years after, you should also be screened for Type 2 Diabetes. Risk factors for this disease include being overweight or obese, physical inactivity, or if you have polycystic ovary syndrome or had gestational diabetes.

And when it comes to a first colonoscopy, 45 is the new 50. In 2021, the US Preventive Services Task Force changed its colorectal cancer screening recommendations, lowering the recommended age to start screening from 50 to 45 for adults at average risk, and then at regular intervals. Colorectal cancer usually begins from precancerous polyps in the colon or rectum, which is why this test is so important. If your colonoscopy finds any polyps, they can be removed before they turn into cancer.

And though this test can be a bit of a headache (going under general anesthesia is required and the prep can be uncomfortable)–this procedure is definitely one you shouldn't skip.

Your 60s and up...

You may be ordering off the senior citizen menu, but you aren't exempt from health screenings just yet. Osteoporosis screenings should become a part of your regular healthcare routine at age 65 and usually every 2 years after.

An osteoporosis screening tests for low bone density, which can cause an increase in broken bones down the line.

And there’s good news. HPV tests are no longer needed for those over age 65 who have had regular test results for the past 10 years.

Whether you're 20 or 65, you owe it to yourself—and your health—to make regular screenings a thing. And if your coverage doesn't apply to all of the above tests and procedures, it's reassuring to know your FSA is there to alleviate the out-of-pocket costs.

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