The Most Important Exams Women Should Schedule in the New Year

Can you believe it’s already the end of the year? We sure can’t. But even though we blinked and almost twelve months passed us by, that doesn’t mean we’ve stopped thinking about how to keep making health possible for you in the new year. 

To help us start 2025 on the right foot, we asked Dr. Carly Chapman, one of our newest family medicine providers, for advice on which appointments women should tackle first.

When we asked Dr. Chapman what she thought the most important screenings were for women, breast cancer and cervical cancer screenings were near the top of her list. 

“If you are between the ages of 21-65, you should be getting regular cervical cancer screenings at least every three years,” said Dr. Chapman. “Women ages 40-75 should get a yearly mammogram screening for breast cancer. If you have a family history of breast cancer, you may consider going even sooner.” 

Hancock Santé women’s health providers and state-of-the-art cancer care center can help you check cancer screenings off your list, so you can focus your attention in the new year on more important things.

In addition to being screened for cancer, Dr. Chapman stressed it was important for women to be screened for mental health concerns, too. 

“Mental health is a fundamental component of a person’s overall well-being, playing a critical role in how we think, feel, and interact with the world around us,” said Dr. Chapman. “When our mental health is in good shape, it helps us cope with the everyday stresses of life, maintain meaningful relationships, and face challenges with resilience. Conversely, poor mental health can make it difficult to function day-to-day, affecting everything from physical health to our ability to work and enjoy life.”

However, mental health is an often overlooked part of our health care—sometimes, we become so focused on treating physical things that we forget to check in with our minds. Stress, anxiety, and depression can lead to physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, digestive issues, and even a compromised immune system. For people managing chronic conditions—like diabetes or heart disease—it can be hard to stick to treatment plans, manage symptoms, and stay motivated in adopting healthy behaviors if mental health concerns are not properly addressed. 

“From a preventive perspective, fostering good mental health can be as important as addressing the physical conditions, and I’ve seen firsthand how treating mental health can make a huge difference in a person’s overall health,” said Dr. Chapman. “Mindfulness, regular physical activity, and healthy social connections can boost both mood and physical well-being. It’s all about finding balance and treating the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.”

While cancer screenings and mental health screenings might be top of mind, smaller, routine checkups may slip through the cracks. But Dr. Chapman stressed the importance of even the little things during doctor visits. 

“Preventive care is at the heart of what I do, so I might spend time guiding a patient through smoking cessation, checking blood pressure, or helping someone understand their BMI and the importance of healthy lifestyle changes,” said Dr. Chapman. 

So while you’re making appointments for all the big stuff, make sure you don’t skip out on your annual physical, either. Your primary care provider will be able to help you identify other health concerns that may not be caught during a specialized screening, or can help guide you to a healthier lifestyle that suits you best. 

“It takes a team to provide great health,” said Dr. Chapman. “And that’s the reason I choose to work at Hancock.”

Visit hancockhealth.org to find the care that’s right for you.