As a woman in your 50s, life is full of vital changes. Much like a second adolescence (complete with hormones) life now offers you a chance at transformation. Now is the time to cultivate your vitality in life and in health.

To nourish your vitality in your 50s:

Every day, be:

• Physically active
  
• Nutritionally smart
  
• In-the-know about preventive screenings
  
  
• Skin
  • Annual mole and overall skin exam
    
  • Practice monthly self-exam of all moles
• Heart
  • Cholesterol panel – total, LDL, HDL and triclycerides
    
  • Blood pressure – at least once every two years
• Breast
  • Mammogram – every one to two years
• Reproductive
  • Internal exam with Pap test – every one to three years
• Bones
  • Bone density test – talk to your healthcare provider
• Colorectal
  • Annual fecal occult blood test
    
  • Rectal exam – every five to ten years
    
  • Sigmoidoscopy – every five years (if not having colonoscopy)
    
  • Colonoscopy – every ten years
• Eyes, Ears and Teeth
  • Vision exam – every two to four years
    
  • Hearing exam – every three years
    
  • Semiannual dental visits for exam and cleaning
• General
  • Immunizations
    • Tetanus once every TEN years
      
    • Influenza – yearly
      
    • Pneumococcal – one time only
  • Thyroid test (TSH) –every five years
    
  • Diabetes check – fasting blood glucose – every three years