Screenings for women over 50
In their 50s, women keep a mammogram every 2 years, colorectal screening is grade A, and lung screening applies to those with a heavy smoking history. (USPSTF, 2024) (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2021)
What starts and what can stop, 50 to 59
- Lung cancer: starts at 50, if you have a 20 pack-year history and smoke now or quit within 15 years. (USPSTF, 2021)
Around menopause, only the bone density rule changes: screenings after menopause.
Which of these repeat every year, and which only every 2, 3 or 5 years: what tests should a woman have every year.
Prevention for women over 50: medicines and habits
Not screenings, but USPSTF-graded steps that can apply to women 50 to 59. Each applies only to some people; the line says who.
- Statins for prevention: Adults 40 to 75 with a risk factor and a 10-year heart risk of 10% or more (grade B). 76 and older: evidence insufficient. (USPSTF, 2022)
- Daily aspirin: Do not start at 60 or older (grade D). At 40 to 59 with a 10-year heart risk of 10% or more: an individual decision (grade C). (USPSTF, 2022)
- PrEP to prevent HIV: Teens and adults at increased risk of HIV, weighing at least 35 kg (77 lb): PrEP medicine to lower the risk (grade A). (USPSTF, 2023)
- Medicines to lower breast cancer risk: Women 35+ at increased risk: offer tamoxifen, raloxifene or an aromatase inhibitor (grade B). Not at increased risk: do not use routinely (grade D). (USPSTF, 2019)
- Quitting smoking: Adults: counseling plus FDA-approved medicines (grade A). Pregnancy: counseling (A); medicines and e-cigarettes, evidence insufficient (I). Free help: 1-800-QUIT-NOW. (USPSTF, 2021) (Smokefree.gov)
- Healthy eating and activity counseling: Adults with heart risk factors: counseling on diet and activity (grade B). Without risk factors: case by case (grade C). (USPSTF, 2020) (USPSTF, 2022)
- Weight-loss programs, BMI 30+: Adults with a BMI of 30 or higher: offer or refer to an intensive weight-loss program built on diet and activity (grade B). (USPSTF, 2018)
Where 50 sits on the chart
Average-risk adults. Age ranges from the USPSTF. The line marks age 50.
Everyone in rangeIf a risk factor applies
Swipe sideways to see ages 18 to 85
- Blood pressure : ages 18 and older
- Cervical cancer (women) : ages 21 to 65
- Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, if a risk factor applies : ages 35 to 70, if you have overweight or obesity
- Breast cancer (women) : ages 40 to 74
- Colorectal cancer : ages 45 to 75
- Lung cancer, if a risk factor applies : ages 50 to 80, if you have a 20 pack-year history and smoke now or quit within 15 years
- Osteoporosis (women) : ages 65 and older
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (men), if a risk factor applies : ages 65 to 75, if you have ever smoked
- Hepatitis C : ages 18 to 79
- HIV : ages 18 to 65
- Depression : ages 18 and older
- Anxiety : ages 18 to 64
- Unhealthy alcohol use : ages 18 and older
- Unhealthy drug use : ages 18 and older
- BRCA risk assessment (women), if a risk factor applies : ages 18 and older, if you or your family have had breast, ovarian, tubal or peritoneal cancer
- Chlamydia and gonorrhea (women), if a risk factor applies : ages 18 to 24, if you are sexually active
- Syphilis, if a risk factor applies : ages 18 and older, if you are at increased risk (for example HIV or another STI, men who have sex with men, drug use, or past incarceration)
- Hepatitis B, if a risk factor applies : ages 18 and older, if you are at increased risk (for example born where hepatitis B is common, HIV, injection drug use, or a household or sex partner with hepatitis B)
- Latent tuberculosis, if a risk factor applies : ages 18 and older, if you are at increased risk (born in or lived in a country where TB is common, or lived in a shelter or correctional facility)
Bars show the age range each recommendation covers, not how often to test. Open-ended ranges run to the edge of the chart. Tap a bar for the interval, test options and the USPSTF source.
Women at 50
| Screening | Ages | How often | Grade | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure | 18 and older | Every year | A | USPSTF, 2021 |
| Cervical cancer | 21 to 65 | Every 3 years (Pap) or 5 years (HPV or cotest) | A | USPSTF, 2018 |
| Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes Only if you have overweight or obesity | 35 to 70 | Every 3 years may be reasonable if results are normal | B | USPSTF, 2021 |
| Breast cancer | 40 to 74 | Every 2 years | B | USPSTF, 2024 |
| Colorectal cancer | 45 to 75 | Depends on the test: stool test every year, stool DNA-FIT every 1 to 3 years, CT colonography or flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, colonoscopy every 10 years | A | USPSTF, 2021 |
| Lung cancer Only if you have a 20 pack-year history and smoke now or quit within 15 years | 50 to 80 | Every year | B | USPSTF, 2021 |
| Osteoporosis (before 65) Only if you are past menopause and at increased risk | 18 to 64 | Not set by the USPSTF; evidence on repeat intervals is limited | B | USPSTF, 2025 |
| Hepatitis C | 18 to 79 | Once for most adults; repeat if risk continues (for example, injection drug use) | B | USPSTF, 2020 |
| HIV | 18 to 65 | At least once; repeat testing is reasonable for people at increased risk | A | USPSTF, 2019 |
| Depression | 18 and older | No set interval; screen if not screened before, then use clinical judgment | B | USPSTF, 2023 |
| Anxiety | 18 to 64 | No set interval | B | USPSTF, 2023 |
| Unhealthy alcohol use | 18 and older | No set interval | B | USPSTF, 2018 |
| Unhealthy drug use | 18 and older | No set interval | B | USPSTF, 2020 |
| BRCA risk assessment Only if you or your family have had breast, ovarian, tubal or peritoneal cancer | 18 and older | Once, with genetic counseling if the risk tool is positive | B | USPSTF, 2019 |
Rows marked "Only if" apply when that risk factor is true for you. By age: screenings at 50, screenings at 55. Women at other ages: over 30, over 40, over 60, over 65, over 70, over 75. Also screenings for men over 50, the full chart and the printable PDF. Cost: which screenings insurance and Medicare cover.