Women’s preventive screening

Plan screening around your age and risk

Preventive screening can help identify health concerns before they cause symptoms or at an earlier stage when treatment may be simpler. The tests that are useful for you depend on your age, medical history, family history, symptoms, and individual risk factors.

Women’s preventive screening can include cervical screening, HPV vaccination, breast and colorectal screening, genetic tests, sexual health screening, blood tests, hormone testing, and bone density assessment.

Pap smear and HPV testing

A Pap smear checks cells from the cervix for abnormalities that can develop before cervical cancer. The preventive screening service recommends annual Pap smears for women aged 21 to 65, although your gynaecologist may advise a different frequency based on your needs.

During the test, a sample is taken from the cervix and examined for abnormal cells. HPV testing can be carried out at the same time to increase the sensitivity of cervical screening.

Genetic, sexual health, and blood screening

Genetic screening can help identify inherited risks and support decisions about reproductive and long-term health. Mediclinic Precise provides genetic screening services, including NIPT and BRCA testing.

BRCA testing looks for changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and is usually performed using blood or saliva. It may be recommended if you have a personal or family history of breast, ovarian, or certain other cancers. A positive result does not mean you will definitely develop cancer, and a negative result does not mean you have no risk. Genetic counsellors can explain the benefits and limitations of testing.

Sexual health screening can include a physical examination and laboratory or diagnostic tests for infections such as HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, herpes, and HPV.

Blood tests used in women’s healthcare may include:

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels
• Thyroid function tests
• STI blood tests, including HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C
• Selected cancer markers
• Blood sugar and cholesterol

DUTCH hormone testing

DUTCH stands for Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones. It measures sex and adrenal hormones and their metabolites, alongside the daily pattern of free cortisol, melatonin, and the cortisol awakening response.

It is offered for concerns including depression, fatigue, low libido, menstrual irregularities, mood swings, premenstrual symptoms, and weight gain.

The test is performed during the luteal phase, or second half of the menstrual cycle. It requires four dried urine samples and five saliva samples collected at different times during the day. Certain medicines, supplements, and foods may need to be avoided or limited before testing.

Bone density testing

A Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan uses low-dose X-rays to measure bone density and help identify osteoporosis or an increased risk of bone fracture. It is typically recommended for post-menopausal women and for people with a family history of osteoporosis or other risk factors for bone loss.

During the scan, you lie on a table while low-dose X-ray beams pass through the body, usually at the hip and spine. The test takes approximately 10 to 30 minutes and is painless.

Results are reported as a T-score:

• -1.0 or higher: normal bone density
• Between -1.0 and -2.5: low bone density or osteopenia
• -2.5 or lower: osteoporosis

Radiation exposure is very low. If you are pregnant or may be pregnant, you should avoid a DEXA scan because of the potential risk to the developing fetus.