By Dr Punya Chopra, Senior Consultant – Internal Medicine, Diabetologist & Rheumatologist, The Women’s Hospital
Screening for women’s health is shifting from an afterthought to a routine. As of 17 February 2026, 8.73 crore women had been screened for cervical cancer. The gain lies in the timing: caught early, many conditions are simpler to treat and far more likely to be managed successfully.
At The Women’s Hospital (TWH), we believe women’s health deserves attention at every stage of life, not just when something feels wrong. Work, family and a long list of other responsibilities tend to push health down the queue. Preventive screening is a quiet way of keeping track of what is happening in the body, even when you feel entirely well.
Here are seven screenings that can help a woman understand what can be the causes of her daily struggle due to her health, and to understand the matter more clearly, one needs to consult their doctor, depending on their age, health history and individual risk factors.
1. PCOS Screening
PCOS is not just about irregular periods. Identifying it early can help women understand hormonal and metabolic changes and manage them before they become a bigger concern.
2. Diabetes Screening
Women who had gestational diabetes need to pay particular attention to blood sugar. Levels often settle after delivery. The risk of type 2 diabetes later in life does not, which is why testing has to continue over the long term.
3. Cervical Cancer Screening
The aim is to find HPV infection, or changes in cervical cells, before cancer develops or produces symptoms. Age and the screening approach in use decide the method: an HPV test, a Pap smear or another recommended option.
4. Breast Cancer Screening
Screening picks up changes in the breast before they advance. Mammography or a clinical breast examination may be advised, depending on age and risk. A new lump, nipple discharge or any other unusual change should go to a doctor without waiting for the next routine check.
5. Hormonal Health Screening
Changes in hormones can affect periods, sleep, mood, energy, weight and other aspects of women’s health, particularly during perimenopause and menopause. A hormonal assessment can help understand what is actually happening rather than assuming these changes are simply part of ageing.
6. Colorectal Cancer Screening
Early colorectal cancer often gives no warning. Stool-based tests or a colonoscopy are the usual options, and the choice of test and its timing rest on age, family history and personal risk.
7. Postpartum Mental Health Screening
A new mother’s health is not only physical. Anxiety, persistent low mood or feeling emotionally overwhelmed after childbirth can be easy to overlook. Screening creates an opportunity to recognise these concerns early and seek support.
Women often put their own health on hold while managing work, family and everyday responsibilities. It is also easy to dismiss symptoms such as dizziness, menstrual cramps, persistent body aches or joint pain as something that is simply part of being a woman or getting older.
But not every symptom should be brushed aside as “normal.” The same goes for preventive health checkups. Whether it is anaemia, hormonal changes, a nutritional deficiency or a more serious health condition, early attention can make a difference.
At TWH, we believe taking your health seriously does not always mean waiting for something to go wrong. It means noticing changes, asking questions and getting the right screening at the right stage of life. Your health deserves that attention too.
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