Screenings for women over 70
In their early 70s, women keep a mammogram every 2 years to 74 and colorectal screening to 75. Diabetes screening ends at 70, and bone density screening has no upper age. (USPSTF, 2024) (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2025)
What starts and what can stop, 70 to 74
- Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: The grade B range ends at 70. (USPSTF, 2021)
- Breast cancer: The grade B range ends at 74. For women 75 or older the USPSTF says the evidence is not enough to decide (grade I). (USPSTF, 2024)
Hearing and eye checks are not on the USPSTF A and B list; what the USPSTF, eye doctors and Medicare say: hearing and vision checks for older adults.
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 70: medicines and habits
Not screenings, but USPSTF-graded steps that can apply to women 70 to 74. 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)
- Falls prevention, 65 and older: Exercise for adults 65+ at higher fall risk (grade B); a personal fall-risk plan case by case (grade C); vitamin D for falls: draft says no. (USPSTF, 2024) (USPSTF draft, 2024, not final)
- 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 70 sits on the chart
Average-risk adults. Age ranges from the USPSTF. The line marks age 70.
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 70
| Screening | Ages | How often | Grade | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure | 18 and older | Every year | A | USPSTF, 2021 |
| 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 | 65 and older | 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 |
| Depression | 18 and older | No set interval; screen if not screened before, then use clinical judgment | 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 70. Women at other ages: over 30, over 40, over 50, over 60, over 65, over 75. Also screenings for men over 70, the full chart and the printable PDF. Cost: which screenings insurance and Medicare cover.