The Power of Prevention: 8 Regular Health Checks Every Woman Needs

From cervical cancer screenings and mammograms, to thyroid checks and bone scans, these are the women’s health checks that should be on your radar

Too often, women across the GCC prioritise family, career, and community responsibilities while placing their own health on the back burner. Preventive screening tests are not just about catching disease early — they are about empowerment, longevity, and maintaining quality of life. Here are eight essential screenings every woman should know about, when to do them, and why they matter.

Cervical Cancer Screening – Pap Smear & HPV Testing

Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can be almost entirely prevented with the right screening. The Pap smear, introduced in the mid-20th century, has saved millions of lives by detecting abnormal cells before they become cancerous. Today, we also have HPV testing, which checks for the virus responsible for the majority of cervical cancers. For women, screening should begin at age 21 with a Pap smear every 3 years. Starting at 30, many guidelines recommend a combined Pap + HPV test every 5 years. Women who are vaccinated against HPV still need to be screened, however, as vaccines do not cover all strains.

What makes this test powerful is how early it can catch problems — long before symptoms ever appear. Cervical cancer often develops silently, without pain or bleeding, making screening your only chance to detect changes early.

This is also about empowerment: taking only 10 minutes every few years could safeguard decades of future wellbeing. Many women avoid the test out of discomfort or modesty, but a quick, simple screening can mean the difference between a curable pre-cancer and a life-threatening disease.

Breast Cancer Screening – Mammograms & Clinical Exams

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. While awareness campaigns have helped, screening remains the most effective tool for saving lives. A mammogram—an X-ray of the breast—can detect lumps years before they can be felt.

Most women are advised to start mammograms at age 40, repeating every 1–2 years, though those with family history or genetic predisposition (like BRCA mutations) should start earlier. Alongside imaging, women should have clinical breast exams performed by a doctor, and learn the basics of self-awareness: noticing changes in shape, skin texture, or nipple discharge.

The fear of mammograms is common, yet the discomfort lasts only a few seconds. What they give in return is immeasurable — early-stage breast cancers detected through mammography have survival rates above 90%. It’s also important to remember that breasts change with age, hormones, and even weight. Screening ensures that these changes are understood in context, distinguishing between what’s normal and what needs urgent attention.

Ultimately, breast cancer screening isn’t just about surviving; it’s about ensuring women can live fully, maintaining health, confidence, and peace of mind.

Bone Health – DEXA Scan for Osteoporosis

Bones may seem unshakable, but for many women, they gradually become fragile with age. Osteoporosis — a condition of bone thinning — affects up to one in three women worldwide after menopause. The tragedy is that many women don’t know they have it until they suffer a fracture, often from something as simple as a fall from standing height. A DEXA scan, a low-dose X-ray, measures bone density and is the gold standard for diagnosing osteoporosis. Screening usually begins around menopause (early to mid 50s), but earlier testing is advised if there are risk factors such as family history, long-term steroid use, thyroid disease, or very low body weight.

Why does this matter? Because fractures aren’t just painful; they can change the course of a woman’s life, leading to reduced mobility, loss of independence, and even shortened lifespan. Yet osteoporosis is preventable and treatable. With early diagnosis, lifestyle changes like exercise and vitamin D supplementation, combined with medication if necessary, can keep bones strong for decades.

Heart Health – Blood Pressure, Cholesterol & Diabetes Screening

Heart disease is the leading killer of women globally, yet many still think of it as a “man’s disease.” Women often present with different symptoms than men—sometimes as subtle as fatigue, indigestion, or shortness of breath. This makes routine screening essential.

From age 20, women should have their blood pressure checked annually. From 35–40, regular screening for cholesterol and diabetes (fasting glucose or HbA1c) is recommended, especially if overweight, sedentary, or with a family history of heart disease. These are simple blood tests that can predict risk long before heart attacks or strokes occur.

Why is this critical? Because prevention is powerful. High blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes are all manageable with lifestyle changes and, when needed, medications. Detecting them early allows women to live long, healthy lives, avoiding the catastrophic complications of untreated disease.

For women balancing careers, family, and aging parents, self-care can feel indulgent. But keeping your heart strong is not a luxury — it’s an act of responsibility. A few minutes at a clinic every year could mean decades more of living fully.

Reproductive & Hormonal Health – Fertility and PCOS Assessments

Reproductive health is not just about pregnancy — it’s a window into a woman’s overall health. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affect up to 1 in 10 women globally, leading not only to irregular cycles and fertility challenges but also to higher risks of diabetes and heart disease.

For women in their 20s and 30s, particularly those with irregular cycles, acne, excessive hair growth, or difficulty conceiving, a hormonal profile and pelvic ultrasound can provide clarity. These tests help diagnose PCOS, ovarian reserve (egg count), and other hormonal imbalances.

Fertility screening isn’t only for women trying to conceive. Many women today delay motherhood into their 30s or 40s. Knowing your ovarian reserve through blood tests like AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) empowers you to make informed choices about family planning—whether that means trying to conceive sooner, considering egg freezing, or simply understanding your timeline.

Your reproductive hormones affect energy, weight, mood, and long-term health. Screening helps you not only plan your family but also safeguard your metabolic and emotional wellbeing.

Colon Cancer Screening – Colonoscopy or Stool Tests

Colon cancer is increasingly common among both men and women, but it is one of the most preventable cancers thanks to screening. Polyps — tiny growths in the colon — can be removed before they ever turn cancerous.

Women are generally advised to begin screening at age 45, either with a colonoscopy (every 10 years if normal) or stool-based tests every 1–3 years. Women with family history of colon cancer may need to start earlier.

While the idea of a colonoscopy may feel intimidating, it is a safe procedure done under sedation, often with minimal discomfort. The alternative — undiagnosed colon cancer — can mean invasive surgery, chemotherapy, and reduced survival. It’s also worth noting that colon cancer symptoms — like changes in bowel habits, unexplained anaemia, or abdominal pain — can be subtle or mistaken for dietary issues. Screening eliminates this uncertainty, offering peace of mind and prevention in one step.

Colon cancer screening is an investment in your future health. One day of preparation and a short procedure can literally save your life.

Thyroid Health – The Silent Regulator

The thyroid, a small butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, regulates metabolism, energy, mood, and even fertility. Disorders are particularly common in women, affecting up to 1 in 8 over their lifetime.

Symptoms of thyroid dysfunction — fatigue, hair loss, weight changes, anxiety, irregular periods — are often dismissed as stress or aging. A simple TSH blood test can reveal whether the thyroid is underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism). Screening is especially important in women in their 30s and 40s, during pregnancy, or when
unexplained symptoms persist.

Why is this so critical? Because untreated thyroid disease can impact everything from fertility to heart health. Hypothyroidism during pregnancy, for example, can affect both mother and baby if not managed.

The good news: thyroid conditions are easily treatable with medication. Once diagnosed, women often describe it as life-changing—like having their energy and focus restored. Screening gives women the power to reclaim their wellbeing from a tiny but mighty gland.

Final Thought

Screening tests are not about fearing disease, they are about living with confidence, strength, and control. At every age, from young adulthood to post-menopause, there are tests that can guide you toward a healthier, longer, and more fulfilling life.

Women are often the caretakers of others. These screenings are a reminder that caring for yourself is the foundation of being able to care for those you love. Your health is not just your own — it’s your legacy.

Dr. Ido Sirota is an OB-GYN and women’s health advocate based in the region, dedicated to
advancing education and healthcare access for women worldwide.

To follow Dr. Ido Sirota on Instagram and learn more, please click here.

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