This post is part of The Gorgeous 50’s series inspired by a book given to me by one of my sisters on my 50th birthday – ‘Grown-Up and Gorgeous in your 50’s’ by Pamela Robson. I will be sharing some of Pamela’s words and my own thoughts along the way. To see all posts published as part of this series, go here.
This is an introduction post to a string of posts within this series on the subject of health in your 50’s.
I know it’s very tempting to bury our heads in the sand and not think about things that could go wrong with our health, but the reality is that those days are over. We’ve reached an age where we really need to stay on top of things, so let’s face it head on and have a look at what we should be doing to take the very best care of ourselves so that we can be out there living and lovin’ life!
Pamela says:
Your 50s is the time to take stock of your health. If you are still smoking and drinking the way you did in your 20s, you have some serious choices to make. What you do now can set the scene for the rest of your life.
Non-negotiable health checks for your 50’s:
Bowel cancer (colorectal cancer): you should have a Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) at least every two years.
Breast cancer: you should have a mammogram every two years (refer to this post and this post).
Cervical cancer: all women who have had sex and have not had a hysterectomy should have a pap smear every two years.
Coronary disease: you should have a cholesterol and triglycerides blood test every five years.
Dental health: have regular check ups.
Diabetes: if you are at risk of Type 2 diabetes – such as by having high blood pressure and being overweight – you should have a fasting blood sugar level test every three years.
Eye test – glaucoma/sight degeneration: women over 50 should have their eyes tested every five years.
Obesity: have your BMI – Body Mass Index – checked. You should do this about every two years or, if you are overweight, every 12 months.
Osteoporosis: about the time of menopause, all women should have a bone mineral density test. This is even more important if you have increased risk through early menopause, having a small frame, being a smoker or an excessive coffee drinker.
Skin cancer – melanoma: everybody should check their skin regularly – at least every three months. You should see your doctor every 12 months and they can direct you to a specialist if needed.
Vascular disease: you should have your blood pressure measurement taken every year.
Of course, if you have a family history or other increased risk factors for any of these conditions,
your doctor will probably recommend more frequent screening.
My thoughts:
100% agree that your 50s is the time to take stock of your health. We can no longer handle abuse of our bodies (like smoking and drinking too much) and we can no longer ignore the fact that bad things can happen to good people (the big C is the main thing that comes to mind). None of us are immune, so it’s best to be proactive and on top of things so that anything nasty is detected early and can be nipped in the bud immediately and with a much higher chance of complete recovery. Hopefully nothing is ever detected but isn’t it best to know!
Love Pam’s list of non-negotiable health checks. Boy do I have some catching up to do! I wanted however to check that the facts she has stated are still current and also to provide links to further information, so here are my findings:
Bowel cancer: Bowel Cancer Australia say that screening every 1-2 years can save your life.
Breast cancer: BreastScreen Australia invites women aged 50-74 to have free two-yearly mammogram. Women aged 40-49 and 75 and over are eligible to receive free mammograms but do not receive an invitation to attend.
Cervical cancer:The Cancer Council of Australia advises that the National Cervical Screen Program (introduced in Australia in 1991) offers a free Pap test every two years to women between the ages of 18 and 70.
Coronary disease: Here’s what the Heart Foundation advises to do in order to keep your heart healthy.
Dental health: Everything you need to know about dental health here at the Australian Dental Association.
Diabetes: Find out here at Diabetes Australia if you are at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, and access information on what you can do to lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Eye test – glaucoma/sight degeneration: All you need to know about your eye health and vision and ageing at Optometry Australia.
Obesity: I’m personally not a fan of the BMI (Body Mass Index). It is good to use as a guide but I don’t believe it is completely accurate. It can’t distinguish between fat and muscle, which tends to be heavier and can tip more toned individuals into overweight status, even if their fat levels are low. Nor does it take into account age, bone density, overall body composition, and racial and sex differences. If you’d like to check your BMI as a guide, then there are heaps of BMI calculators available online, like this one at BUPA. If you are overweight or obese then the starting point for your treatment plan would be to seek appropriate advice and adopt a healthy lifestyle – healthy nutritious diet with portion control and regular activity.
Osteoporosis: Everything you need to know about detecting Osteoporosis here at Osteoporosis Australia. A bone density test will determine if any action is needed to improve your bone health. The result will indicate if your bones are in the range of either – Normal, Low bone density (called osteopenia), or Oesteoporosis.
Skin cancer – melanoma: There is currently no formal screening program for skin cancers in Australia. However, regular skin checks are highly recommended. Cancer Council recommends all adults should check their skin and moles every 3 months. Those at risk should have a trained doctor examine them at least once a year. Melanomas can develop in between visits to your skin cancer doctor, therefore you should know how to check your own skin and moles.
Vascular disease: I wasn’t sure what vascular disease actually was to be honest, so I did a little Google search. Vascular disease is an abnormal condition of the blood vessels. Blood vessels (arteries and veins) are the tubes through which blood is pumped throughout the body. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to nourish every part of the body, including the brain, kidneys, intestines, arms, legs, and heart itself. It’s a sub-group of cardiovascular disease. Getting your blood pressure checked is important because the higher your blood pressure is, the higher your risk of health problems in the future. If your blood pressure is high, it is putting extra strain on your arteries and on your heart. This may also cause a heart attack or stroke. I couldn’t find information on recommended frequency of checks but I find that my doctor checks my blood pressure nearly every time I go for appointment these days, because of my age I suppose! It would be a good idea to get into the habit of asking your doctor to take your blood pressure when you visit, at least once or twice per year I would think (but ask your doctor what he or she recommends because frequency would depend on whether your BP is normal or not).
Are you having all those health checks done? Find a few that you were unaware you should be getting done? Let’s not bury our heads in the sand. Let’s be happy and healthy and live fun and active lives!
Ciao for now,
Link up here at WOTM or with another of us in the Lovin’ Life Linky team:
Leanne of Deep Fried Fruit
Lyndall of Seize the Day Project
Kathy of 50 Shades of Age
Deborah of Debbish
and Jo of And Anyways
It doesn’t matter where you link up as it will magically appear on all six blogs.
36 Comments
Totally agree and yes I have all my checks Min. I started running at 50 and doing PT sessions. Running isn’t for everyone but we all need to exercise our bodies, mind and soul to be healthy and happy. Love the series x
You are good Sue! Some of those checks I need to get on to. I’m not a runner but I do keep active! Glad you like the series – thank you! 🙂 xo
Hi Min, thanks for linking up and sharing your informative post at Midlife Share the Love Party. Our health is our wealth and so we really do need to take extra care Over 50 to ensure we are covering all bases. Have a great day and see you at next week’s link up. #MLSTL
I love linking up and being a part of the #MLSTL community Sue! xo
Oh man! Yeah, I’m pretty irresponsible on most of these counts – but am trying to cut down my midweek alcohol & make healthier choices with food. I move a lot – something which has, despite my weight, helped keep me healthy on the inside up until now. Now that I’m in my 50s, I better arrange a mammogram. I had a hysterectomy when I was 38, so there is no longer a cervix to smear. Oh, and I’m due back at the dentist. #TeamLovinLfe
Some of those checks I need to get on to!! I’m good with the mammograms and pap smears. 53 and still getting periods *ugh*!
Ugh, I really need to get some regular checks done as my GP is pretty slack about scheduling anything and I just don’t seem to bother. I’m most certainly overdue for a breastscreen and very overdue for a dentist appointment and I can’t remember my last pap smear!
Yep I find that we need to be proactive about it ourselves as the GP’s don’t tend to alert us to this stuff – except for maybe the pap smears and mammograms (but not always!).
Thanks (I think) for the reminders – I’m good with some and not so fabulous with others – I guess I still have a bit of that bullet-proof mentality left over from my younger days! I did finally get around to a mammogram this year after being a bit slack so I’m patting myself on the back for that one!
I know what you mean! These things are not my favourite of activities … but gotta be done. I’m good at mammograms, pap smears, regular BP checks and dental checks but need to get the others seen to!
Sigh … yes I have a few of these I need to follow up on …
Same here!
Hi Min – just re-read this and was very proud that I could tick PAP smear off the list now (and the next one doesn’t have to be done for five years with the new test! Yay!!) Having all those uterus issues meant I had to have one done when I went to the gyno – it was good to not have expected it – less to put off!
Thanks for linking up with us at #MLSTL and I’ve shared this on my SM xx
Yay to you for getting that PAP smear ticked off the list. There are quite a few check ups I need to schedule. They are way overdue! Thanks for sharing on your SM. xo
Very informative, Min. Lots of things to plan ahead to checked for.
SSG xxx
I need to book some appointments too! xo
We are so lucky to live in a time where we have access to check these things, Min!! So of course we should take advantage of it. I’ve been pretty good at keeping up on it all—but there is a ton!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
We sure are lucky Jodie. We do need to take advantage of it that is for sure. I’m pretty good with some of these but some are long overdue, so I need to make a few appointments! xo
Thanks for a great reminder about health checks Min. I’m pretty sure I’m up to date with mine, given my family history, but I’m just gonna double check at my next doctor’s visit. #TeamLovinLife
You are so good to be up to date Lyndall. I am for many but not all but I am on to it! 😉
What a great list of medical checks Min. Love that you have updated the list, with relevant Australia sites. It is a great reminder for people, and easy for everyone to click a link, if they want to gather more info. We have been travelling for nearly a year. Last week I made a number of appointments for a wide range of check ups. 🙂
Thanks so much Estelle – so glad you find the post useful. How lovely to have been travelling for a year. You must feel so much richer for all your experiences! So good of you to make your check up appointments whilst on the move! 🙂
Thank you for this most awesome reminder. I started my mammograms last year, but I should really make an appointment with a doctor to start other checkups. I turned 45 today, and there is no time like the present(to get onto it early)x
I started having a mammogram around about when I was 40’ish I think. Many of these things would still be relevant to you at 45. I agree – get on to it early! 🙂 xo P.S. Happy Birthday again for the other day!
Great post Min. I’ll tag it for when I’m my next decade 🙂
#teamlovinlife
You young thing still in your 40’s!! 😉
Love the “non-negotiable” health checks. That’s a good list.
Thanks Leanne! 🙂
I really must get onto some of these checks. Thanks for the reminder Min! Have shared this for #mlstl
Me too Debbie! Thanks for sharing! xo
I’m pleased to report that I have had all of these health checks except the bone density test. I guess I better check into that, so I can have a perfect score! 🙂 Thanks for the important reminder. I found your blog through the #MLSTL!
Well done Christie! You’re ahead of me. I have a few of them on my to do list! x
So many things to follow up on (sigh) but a great list, thank you. You reminded me that I need to get our medical and dental records sent up from our Victorian practitioners and get on with the rest of your great list. Sharing on SM.
I know – big sigh from me too. Many in the list I need to get on to! It hadn’t occurred to me but yes – you will have to get records sent up and find new doctors and dentist and so forth now you’ve moved State’s. There’s always plenty to be done isn’t there?! Thanks for sharing on your SM. 🙂
Got a couple more for you Min.
1. Coeliac disease: Everyone should be checked for Coeliac disease, easily done with a blood test. Many people don’t have symptoms and the risks of it continuing undetected and becoming cancer are high. If you have bowel symptoms or family history of CD or bowel cancer then a colonoscopy is advised ASAP.
2. Osteoarthritis: Get checked for osteoarthritis – there are steps you can take before it gets too bad. An X-ray or ultrasound will confirm.
3. Bladder/kidney: recommend ladies get their urine checked frequently to check for kidney health.
Good ones Gaby – thank you! I had an Aunt who passed away because of Coeliac Disease. I never met her as she was gone before I was born. They didn’t know she had Coeliac disease until after she had passed away. This would have been late 50’s or very early 60’s I think. xo