Bone-density (DEXA) scan
This X-ray measures bone mass (the amount of calcium and minerals in bones), a key indicator of bone strength.
Why you need it: Your estrogen level plummets as you age, upping your risk for osteopenia, or low bone mass, which can lead to osteoporosis if not treated. (Medication may be prescribed if you have osteopenia.) Women who are Caucasian or of Southeast Asian descent are at higher risk, as are those with small frames or family histories of the condition.
How often you need it: Ask your doc.
Tip: To help bones stay strong, do 30 minutes of weight-bearing exercise (like tennis or aerobics) several times a week; regularly eat dairy foods (low-fat milk, cheese, and yogurt) and fortified foods like cereal and orange juice; and take a calcium-and–vitamin D supplement like Citracal Plus. But don’t take a supplement for 24 hours before the scan, as it could skew the results.
A test you don’t need
During a Whole-Body CT Scan, your body is scanned using special X-rays to look for signs of abnormalities and disease. But there’s no solid proof that it helps detect any particular disease early enough for the condition to be treated or cured, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
Most health organizations don’t recommend it. What’s more, the scan may needlessly expose you to radiation and can lead to further, unnecessary testing or biopsies when the problem may be benign or go away on its own.
