Our Preventive Care Guide for Moms

Moms are known as caregivers, making sure the people in their family are healthy. But sometimes moms need caregiving too.

Preventive services can detect diseases and chronic conditions early, before they have a chance to become serious. Early detection increases the chances of treatment being successful.

We’ve assembled the following list of preventive services for women over 40. Talk with your mom and other maternal figures in your life about getting these screenings and vaccinations. Helping your mom protect her health is one of the greatest gifts you can give.

Where to Start

Scheduling an annual wellness visit for your mother at her primary care provider is a great way to start. The provider can create a personal prevention plan for your mom, based on her health status and risk factors. The prevention plan will contain recommendations for preventive services to get. Your mom’s primary care provider can coordinate preventive screenings and may do some of them during the annual wellness visit, such as checking blood pressure.

Preventive Services to Consider

Screenings that your mom should consider include:

• Blood pressure — Untreated high blood pressure can cause many health problems, including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and vision loss. Blood pressure should be checked at least once a year for people 40 or older. People with risk factors, such as a family history of high blood pressure, should check their blood pressure more often. Home blood pressure monitors can be purchased at pharmacies or online for less than $100. Learn more about the impact of high blood pressure on heart health.
• Breast cancer — Rates of breast cancer begin to increase in women after age 40. Guidelines for the frequency of breast cancer screening with mammograms differ between organizations, but most experts agree that screening should start at age 40 for women at average risk. Your mom should talk with her health care provider to determine the screening schedule that’s right for her. Read how a first mammogram screening saved a life.
• Cervical cancer — While cervical cancer can affect women at any age, the disease is most often diagnosed in women between the ages of 35 and 44. Cervical cancer screening may include getting a Pap test and/or an HPV test. The recommended screening frequency depends on age and risk factors. Find out more about cervical cancer screening.
• Cholesterol — Regular cholesterol checks are recommended for women over 40, as menopause can cause low-density lipoprotein (the so-called bad cholesterol) to increase and high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol) to decrease. High total cholesterol levels increase the risk of heart disease — the leading cause of death for U.S. women. Learn how to lower cholesterol.  
• Colorectal cancer — The American Cancer Society recommends that colorectal cancer screenings start at age 45 for people at average risk. People with risk factors like a family history of colorectal cancer may need to start screening earlier. Your mom should talk with her primary care provider about when to start screening and the various screening options, including colonoscopy and stool-based tests. Read about what really happens during a colonoscopy.
• Dental exam — Women over 40 should visit the dentist at least every six months, because the hormonal changes that occur from menopause can cause oral health symptoms like dry mouth and increased sensitivity. Changes in oral health have been shown to impact overall health. For example, gum disease can allow bacteria to enter the blood stream and increase the risk of heart disease. Discover the myths and truths about dental care.  
• Diabetes — Screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes should begin at age 35 for people who are overweight or obese, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. If the results are normal, follow-up testing should be done every three years. However, women with risk factors like a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or prediabetes should be tested more often. Learn more about living with diabetes.
• Glaucoma — The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that everyone be screened for glaucoma (an eye disease that can lead to vision loss and blindness) by age 40, even if they have no risk factors. Screening should be repeated every one to three years for people who are ages 40 to 54, and every one to two years for people ages 55 to 64. Annual screenings are recommended for people who are 65 and older. Glaucoma screening is often done during routine eye exams. Learn how to keep your vision healthy.
• Hearing exam — Hearing starts to decline after age 40, so experts recommend people who are in their 40s and older get a hearing screening periodically. The World Health Organization recommends hearing screenings every five years up to age 64, and every one to three years for people ages 65 and older. Hearing screenings are important as older people with untreated hearing loss have a greater risk of developing dementia and cognitive decline. Learn how hearing loss can impact the brain.
• Lung cancer — If your mom is or was a smoker, she should get screened for lung cancer. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends yearly screening for people between the ages of 50 and 80 who have a 20 pack-year history of smoking and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. Find out more about screening for lung cancer.
• Osteoporosis — Women who are past menopause are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to become so weak and brittle that they can easily break. In the early stages of the disease there are usually no signs or symptoms, so a bone density test can determine if your mom has osteoporosis. Women ages 65 and older should have osteoporosis screening at least once. The frequency of repeat testing will depend on risk factors. Women under age 65 who are at increased risk of osteoporosis should also be screened. Treatments to keep bones healthy include increasing calcium and vitamin D intake. Learn how to get more vitamin D.      
• Skin cancer — The risk of skin cancer increases as we age. Other risk factors include exposure to ultraviolet light, either from being outdoors in sunlight or using tanning beds, and a family history of skin cancer. People with lighter skin are also at greater risk. Talk with your mom about doing a monthly skin self-exam. If she is at increased risk for skin cancer, she may want to see a dermatologist annually. Read more about protecting yourself from skin cancer.
• Urinary incontinence — It’s common for women over 40 to have problems with urinary incontinence (bladder leakage). Hormonal changes from menopause and weakened pelvic floor muscles can bring on the issue. The Women’s Preventive Services Initiative recommends women should be screened for urinary incontinence annually. Your mother’s primary care provider can do an initial screening and may refer her to a urologist or gynecologist for further evaluation and treatment. Learn more about how physical therapy can help ease pelvic floor disorders.

Vaccinations that your mom should consider getting include:

• Flu — All moms (and everyone else six months or older) should get a flu shot each year in either September or October. Get answers to your top 10 flu shot questions.
• COVID-19 — When your mom gets her annual flu shot, ask her to get a COVID-19 booster at the same time. It’s safe to get both vaccines together, and you can even get them in the same arm, if you want. Find out why people are still getting COVID-19.
• Pneumococcal — Older adults (ages 50 and up) are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease, which is caused by bacteria. Pneumococcal disease can lead to pneumonia and meningitis. Talk to your mom about getting the pneumococcal vaccine, which is recommended for all adults 50 years and older.    
• RSV — Ask your mom to talk with her primary care provider about whether to get vaccinated against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which can be dangerous for older adults. The Food and Drug Administration has approved an RSV shot for people ages 60 or older.
• Shingles — Women over age 40 are at increased risk for shingles, a painful rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. The virus remains in the body after someone has chickenpox and reactivates as the immune system weakens with age. Hormonal changes during perimenopause can also increase the risk of shingles. The shingles vaccine is recommended for adults ages 50 and older.

These are common vaccinations to consider as we age, but there are several others your mom may want to get, depending on her health history and risk factors. Ask your mother to check with her primary care provider for a list of recommended immunizations.