A guide to women's health checks

Why women’s health checks matter

Women’s health checks play a crucial role in helping women maintain their long-term health and well-being. Check-ups can detect serious health issues at an early stage, but that’s not all. Good health is a lifelong journey, and a woman’s health check can go further than detecting illness. It provides women with information about risk factors affecting their health, enabling them to take action to prevent conditions related to their lifestyle or reduce their symptoms.

A women’s health check comprises various checks depending on what medical professionals are checking for. Some checks are specific screening tests for illnesses such as breast or cervical cancer, while others are general health checks. Check-ups can also vary depending on your age, as risk levels for certain illnesses increase as you get older.

There are screening programmes for female cancers and an NHS health check for over 40s. The NHS check assesses your risk of heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease and stroke and includes advice on ways to reduce your risk level. Alternatively, you can also pay for private health assessments, some of which offer additional tests compared to the NHS check.

The NHS provides various women’s health assessments based on your age and risk level. Their routine screening programmes include breast and cervical screening for women and bowel cancer screening for men and women. Here are the criteria that apply to different types of tests.

What is the over-40s health check?

The over-40s health check, commonly known as the NHS Health Check, is offered to people aged 40 and above who don’t have a pre-existing health condition such as heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes, every five years. It assesses your overall health and identifies any potential risk factors, allowing you to take a proactive approach to improving your health and wellbeing. The check assesses your risk of experiencing diabetes, stroke and heart or kidney disease. 

Patients aged 65 and older will also receive information on dementia and its symptoms. Your GP will invite you for a health check if you’re aged between 40 and 74 and don’t have any relevant pre-existing conditions that need regular check-ups.

If you want to access additional checks or face long waiting times for NHS care, private providers offer various screening packages for a fixed fee. Tests and assessments vary depending on your chosen provider, so it’s wise to carefully review the details to see what each assessment includes and whether it meets your needs. 

Some providers focus on breast and cervical smear tests, while others offer a broader range of checks similar to those included in the NHS Health Check. Some offer additional checks, for example, thyroid function tests, blood tests for anaemia, ovarian cancer, or pelvic ultrasound scans.

Costs vary, depending on the tests you choose and what the provider offers. We’ve found assessments ranging from £169 to £795, with some providers offering subscription services. Some also let you book additional tests to examine your sexual health or test your genetic cancer risk.

If you have health insurance, it’s worth checking to see what women’s health assessments your provider offers. If you have health insurance through your employer, most insurers provide employee health assessments. If you have an individual policy, your insurer may offer a free assessment or access to discounted health checks via their rewards programme.

For instance, Vitality offers its health insurance customers one free check-up per year, plus discounts on advanced assessments if you meet its criteria. The Exeter provides a free annual health MOT for its health insurance members using a simple finger-prick blood test that screens for 20 different health indicators to detect early signs of potential medical issues. Meanwhile, AXA’s Health plan allows its members a free annual blood test to assess their cholesterol level and diabetes risk.

Other providers charge an additional cost for booking health assessments. Bupa’s digital GP services and telephone helplines provide guidance from GPs, specialist nurses, physiotherapists, and mental health professionals so that customers can discuss any female health concerns.

What happens at a women’s health check?

Women’s health checks vary depending on the type of test. Here’s what to expect at your NHS Health Check, cervical and breast screening appointments.

What to expect during the NHS Health Check

An NHS Health Assessment usually takes about 30 minutes and includes various measurements, checks and blood tests to assess your overall health. A doctor or nurse will measure your waist, weight, and height, check your blood pressure, and take a blood test to check your cholesterol and blood sugar levels. You may have had blood tests earlier, so the results will be ready when you go for your appointment. The doctor or nurse will also ask about your family medical history and your lifestyle, for example, whether you smoke, how much you drink and how physically active you are.

You’ll have time to discuss the results during your appointment. You should receive a written report that includes your body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and risk levels for various conditions, along with recommendations on ways to reduce these. Your doctor may suggest ways to improve your diet and increase your activity levels or refer you to services that can provide additional support.

Cervical screening

A cervical smear test includes an HPV test and checks for pre-cancerous and cancerous cells. During a smear test, you’ll need to undress from the waist down. You’ll be behind a screen and given a sheet to cover yourself. 

The nurse will ask you to lie back with your legs bent, put your feet together and let your knees fall apart. They’ll put a tube-shaped tool called a speculum into your vagina and open it to see your cervix, then use a soft brush to take a cell sample. The test takes about five minutes. You can ask the nurse to use lubricant to ease the process and take painkillers to help you feel more comfortable.

Breast screening

Breast screening checks for early symptoms of breast cancer using a mammogram, which is a type of X-ray. Mammographers are specialist female radiographers. During your appointment, the mammographer will check your details and ask about any problems you’ve experienced with your breasts. They’ll also explain what the mammogram involves and answer any questions you have.

Then, they’ll ask you to go into a changing area to undress from the waist up and put on a hospital gown to protect your privacy as you go into the X-ray room. The mammogram involves placing each of your breasts onto the X-ray machine, one at a time, and squeezing them between two pieces of plastic to keep them still. They’ll take two X-rays on each breast, one from the front and the other from the side. 

A mammogram can be uncomfortable, but the mammographer is there to support you throughout the process. The entire process typically takes around 30 minutes, and you’ll receive your results by post.

Your priorities and health risks change as you age, meaning the health checks you need will likely shift too. Whether you choose NHS or private care, the check-ups you need remain broadly similar at each stage.

In your 20s and 30s

You’ll be invited to have cervical screening every five years once you reach 25. You won’t be eligible for an NHS health check in your 20s and 30s, but you can book a check-up with a private provider. If you have private health insurance, check to see whether your cover includes an annual health assessment or if you can book one using discounts from their member reward programme.

In your 40s

When you reach 40, you’ll continue to receive invitations for cervical screening every five years. Your GP will also send an invitation for the NHS Health Check every five years. If you’d like a more frequent check-up, some private health insurance includes an annual health assessment or offers discounted checks. 

How often you need a health assessment depends on your general health, family history and age. You can access the NHS check every five years, but you can have a private health assessment every year if your health insurance covers it or you can afford to self-fund.

While NHS bowel cancer screening doesn’t start until you are 50, some private healthcare providers such as Bupa will offer screening for anyone over 45 if this is something that you are worried about.

In your 50s

In your 50s, you can continue to have the NHS Health Check every five years and will receive an invitation for cervical screening every five years, unless you have specific risk factors. 

You’ll also be invited for NHS breast screening every three years. You can also pay for private breast or cervical screening if you prefer. Some private providers offer more frequent screening, such as cervical smear tests every two years. 

In your 60s and 70s

NHS cancer screening programmes continue into your 60s, but stop at intervals as you age. Cervical screening continues until you’re 64, and you’ll be offered mammograms until you’re 71, although you can ask for NHS screening every three years after this. You’ll be invited for the NHS Health Check until you’re 74. Bowel cancer screening through the NHS continues until you’re 74. 

If you’ve ever thought about booking a female health assessment but been unsure how to go about it, here’s how the process works in the NHS. We also share some tips on accessing private care so you can choose your preferred option.

Booking NHS check-ups

Your NHS GP will send you invitations for health checks and screening tests when you reach the right age. You’ll receive a letter inviting you to book an appointment for breast and cervical screening and an NHS Health Check. You might also receive a digital invitation via text or the NHS app. For bowel screening, you’ll receive a home testing kit by post, which you return once it's complete.

If life is busy and you've misplaced the letter or your digital booking link has expired, you can still book an appointment. For breast screening, book by contacting your local service. For cervical screening, call your GP or use their online booking service. If you aren’t currently registered with a GP, you can go to your local sexual health clinic. You should also contact your GP to book your NHS Health Check.

Finding a private clinic

Private providers offer various health assessments and screening tests that you can self-fund or access via your health insurance. As we’ve mentioned, providers differ in the checks they offer, so it’s a good idea to consider your priorities. You may have a family history of cancer and want to focus on those risk factors, or be looking for a general health MOT. Some providers offer advanced fitness tests, which are ideal for amateur athletes. Think about what information you need before researching specific providers. 

There are various ways to find a private healthcare provider and consider whether it’s the right choice for your needs. If you have health insurance, check what health assessments it offers, as these may be available for free or at a reduced cost to members. Thorough research will help you determine whether a consultant or clinic has the proper expertise and has effectively cared for its patients. Providers typically offer different packages at various price points, depending on the number of tests, assessments, and time spent with medical professionals that each package provides.

When you’re ready to book an appointment, your chosen provider’s website should provide information on the process. You may be able to book online, complete a form for a call back or telephone them directly.

Getting professional advice

myTribe’s guides help you understand your healthcare options so you can make an informed choice about your care. If you’d like to learn more about how private health insurance can help support your health and wellbeing, contact us today for a comparison quote. We’ll introduce you to a specialist broker who can provide advice tailored to your needs.