Women are at a greater risk for a number of diseases. Detecting these diseases at an early stage makes them easy to cure. Therefore, every woman must take responsibility and ensure her own safety and well being. The following is a list of health screenings doctors recommend every woman must undergo. 

Pap smear test
The Pap smear test checks the cervix and the vagina of a woman for any abnormal cells that could develop into cancerous cells.  Ideally, the test should be conducted as soon as a woman turns 21 and should be repeated every three years. Once she turns 30 she can wait five years between tests unless she senses any abnormal changes in her body.

Mammograms
Doctors recommend that every woman should undergo a mammogram screening after the age of 40. Mammograms are a low-dose X-ray that screens your breast and other surrounding tissues for cancerous lumps that may be too small to feel during a regular breast exam. Always remember that early detection of breast cancer can lead to a cure.  

Osteoporosis X-ray

Many women face weakened bones after menopause. This puts them at a greater risk of osteoporosis where weakened bones begin to deteriorate. Theosteoporosis X-ray is recommended for women after the age of 65. The screening includes a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (or DXA) that measures the bone marrow density and determines the risk for osteoporosis before the fracture occurs.

Ovarian cancer screening 
Ovarian cancer affects women between the ages of 50 and 75. It kills approximately 15,000 women each year. Therefore, this screening should be done by women regularly. During the screening the doctor performs a pelvic exam to check for ovarian cancer in the exposed vulva and then proceeds inwards to check the uterus and ovaries for the same.

Heart Disease Screening
Heart disease kills more women than men each year. Therefore, it becomes important that women above the age of 50 along with women who have a family history of the disease should undergo yearly Electrocardiography (ECG) screening to monitor their heart for any abnormalities.