At the age of 40, taking care of your health more consciously is no longer optional. The changes that the female body goes through at this stage — especially due to the approach of menopause — require a preventive and systematic approach, capable of identifying changes before they evolve into more serious conditions.

“Postponing or not undergoing medical examinations at the age of 40 can lead to a woman receiving a late diagnosis of serious illnesses, often when the illnesses are already in advanced stages and with less chance of treatment”, says Juliana Corrêa, a doctor in the gynecology area at AmorSaúde. “When exams detect changes early, it is possible to intervene with lifestyle changes and, when necessary, with medications, preventing diseases and reducing complications”, he reports.

The specialist highlights the importance of medical monitoring at this stage of life. “When reaching the age of 40, it is important for women to undergo a health assessment focusing on prevention“, he highlights. According to the doctor, the 10 main tests that should be carried out at this age are:

1. Measuring blood pressure

The test must be done at least once a year and can detect hypertension, a disease that increases the risk of heart problems.

2. Cholesterol test (lipidogram)

The exam allows you to diagnose changes in cholesterol, one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. It should be done every 5 years, or more frequently if there is a family history of heart disease.

3. Calculation of body mass index (BMI)

The test identifies the risk of being thin or overweight, allowing a professional to develop an appropriate diet for the patient and suggest lifestyle changes. It must be done at least once a year.

4. Blood glucose assessment

It allows you to find signs of diabetes and detect the disease early, avoiding future complications. The test should be done every 3 years, or annually if there are risk factors such as family history.

5. Mammogram

Allows the identification of lesions in the breasts and acts as a preventive action when breast cancer. This guarantees simple treatment, with more chances of cure and less impact on the woman’s quality of life. It must be carried out annually after the age of 40.

6. Breast exam

The examination carried out by the doctor allows for a complementary diagnosis and the search for nodules in the region. The test must be done annually by a healthcare professional.

7. Pap smear or HPV test

They identify changes that can develop into cervical cancer. The Pap smear should be done every three years, after two consecutive normal exams. The HPV test must be done every five years if the result is negative.

8. Serology

It allows the detection of sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C. The exams make it possible to identify diseases for appropriate treatment and reduce complications such as infertilityliver problems and neurological changes. They must be done at least once in a lifetime, or depending on risk exposure or pregnancy.

9. Colonoscopy

The test allows you to detect the risk of colorectal cancer, polyps and other diseases. It should be done from the age of 50, or earlier in specific cases such as a family history of the disease, and repeated every 10 years if the patient has no risk factors.

10. Bone densitometry

It is mainly indicated for women over 65 years old, or 50 years old in cases of smokingalcohol consumption or early menopause. Detects osteopenia, that is, decreased bone mass and osteoporosis, which is a disease caused by bone fragility.

The doctor states that these tests help to identify diseases that are common in the female population and that they are silent. “Conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol often do not cause symptoms, but significantly increase the risk of heart attack and stroke”, he summarizes.

Special cases

Juliana Corrêa says that some tests should only be done when a woman presents more alarming symptoms, such as pain in the pelvis, pain when urinating or swelling in the pelvic region: “transvaginal ultrasound is not part of the check-up traditional, it should only occur when a specific condition is suspected, not as screening”, he explains.

The doctor also clarifies that women who have high-risk conditions should start exams earlier or undergo them more frequently. Among the factors that require more attention, she lists:

• Family history of cancer (breast, ovarian or intestine);
• Obesity or overweight;
• Smoking;
• Alcoholism;
• Polycystic ovary syndrome;
• Chronic diseases;
• Immunosuppression;
• Menopause early.

Finally, the professional argues that tests should not only be carried out when someone feels discomfort. “Taking care of your health should not just start when symptoms appear. Today, with the evolution of medicine, it is now possible to detect health changes in the early stages, which significantly increases the chances of effective treatment and reduces future risks”, he explains.

By Fellipe Gualberto