A Year-End Women’s Preventive Care Review
Last updated December 2025
As another year draws to a close in Northeast Ohio, many women begin thinking about what they want for their health in the year ahead. But before jumping into resolutions or new goals, one of the most effective steps you can take is reviewing your preventive care. A year-end check-in lets you see what is overdue, what needs updating, and what should be scheduled early in 2026 to protect your long-term well-being.
Women in Westlake, Cleveland, and surrounding communities often juggle nonstop responsibilities. It is easy to push routine screenings aside while managing family schedules, career priorities, and household demands. Yet preventive care is one of the strongest tools available for early detection, risk reduction, and preventing avoidable health issues.
At Concierge Medicine of Westlake, Dr. Alexa Fiffick works with women to create personalized annual plans that make preventive care easier, more organized, and far less overwhelming. A thoughtful review now can set the tone for a healthier, more intentional 2026.
Why a Preventive Review Matters
Women often delay preventive care because nothing feels immediately urgent. But screenings are designed to identify concerns long before symptoms appear. When tests are done consistently, they provide a clear picture of how your body is changing year to year.
A year-end review helps you answer questions like:
What screenings did I miss or postpone?
Have I gone more than a year without a physical exam?
Has my family history changed in ways that affect my risk level?
Are there symptoms I minimized throughout the year that deserve attention?
Do hormone changes mean I need different testing this year?
This kind of reflection creates clarity. It helps you prioritize what needs to be scheduled early in 2026 and what can wait. The goal is not to create pressure but to give you direction.
Screening #1: Breast Health and Imaging
Breast cancer screening remains one of the most important preventive tools for women. Guidelines vary based on age, risk factors, genetics, and personal history. Many women in their forties and fifties require annual mammograms, while some may benefit from additional imaging such as ultrasound or MRI.
A year-end review should include:
The date of your last mammogram
Whether you received any follow-up recommendations
Any new breast symptoms or changes
Family history updates
Women with dense breast tissue or elevated risk profiles may need specialized imaging. Dr. Fiffick helps determine the most appropriate schedule to keep you protected without unnecessary worry.
Screening #2: Cervical Cancer Prevention
Pap smears and HPV testing are essential for cervical cancer prevention. Depending on your age and past results, screening intervals can range from every three to five years. Yet many women unknowingly fall behind on these tests, especially if they have gone through pregnancy, perimenopause, or major life transitions.
If you are unsure when your last Pap or HPV test occurred, a year-end review is the perfect time to check. Staying up to date on cervical screening is simple, highly effective, and foundational to preventive women’s care in Westlake and the greater Cleveland area.
Screening #3: Metabolic and Cardiovascular Health
Midlife brings shifting metabolism, changes in cholesterol levels, increased risk of insulin resistance, and new vulnerability to cardiovascular disease. These changes are often invisible until a problem arises. For this reason, annual metabolic screening is critical.
A personalized plan may include:
Fasting labs to evaluate cholesterol, glucose, and key metabolic markers
Blood pressure monitoring
A deeper review of weight changes, sleep quality, and fatigue
Assessment of lifestyle factors that influence long-term heart health
Cleveland winters can make it harder to stay active, so understanding your metabolic baseline heading into 2026 can help prevent future concerns. Dr. Fiffick uses these results to tailor wellness strategies, adjust treatment plans, and identify early risk factors.
Screening #4: Bone Health
Bone density changes slowly over time, but the impact can be significant. Women entering perimenopause and menopause experience accelerated bone loss due to hormonal changes. Early detection offers a strong advantage in preventing fractures and long-term complications.
A year-end review should include:
When was your last bone density scan performed
Whether you have risk factors like vitamin D deficiency, low calcium intake, a family history of osteoporosis, or early menopause
Any bone pain or history of fractures
Not everyone needs a scan every year, but many women are overdue without realizing it. A personalized evaluation ensures that bone health remains part of your larger wellness plan.
Screening #5: Colon Cancer Prevention
Colon cancer screening is recommended beginning at age 45 for average-risk individuals. If you have not yet completed your first screening, the new year is an ideal time to schedule it. For women who have already had a colonoscopy, a review of their results will determine when the next one is due.
Because colon cancer is highly preventable with early screening, this is a test you do not want to postpone. Whether you choose a traditional colonoscopy or a stool-based test, preventive women’s care in Westlake emphasizes staying on schedule.
Screening #6: Thyroid and Hormonal Evaluation
Fatigue, mood changes, weight fluctuations, and temperature sensitivity can all stem from thyroid or hormonal imbalances. Yet these symptoms are often mistaken for stress, overwork, or simply “getting older.”
With menopause care as a core focus of Dr. Fiffick’s practice, hormone-related screenings are an essential part of a complete year-end review. A personalized evaluation may include thyroid labs, hormone testing, menstrual history analysis, and review of any perimenopausal symptoms you experienced throughout the year.
An accurate assessment helps you step into 2026 with a plan that supports your energy, metabolism, sleep, and mood.
Where a Personalized Annual Plan Makes the Biggest Impact
The challenge most women face is not a lack of intention. It is the overwhelm of keeping track of multiple screenings, lab schedules, follow-up appointments, and changing guidelines. A personalized annual plan consolidates everything into a single, clear roadmap.
This plan may include:
A customized screening timeline
Lab testing tailored to your health profile
Preventive strategies for sleep, stress, and immune resilience
Medication and supplement review
A plan for managing symptoms or concerns identified during the consultation
In a concierge setting, Dr. Fiffick works closely with each patient to coordinate care, answer questions quickly, and stay ahead of health changes throughout the year. It removes the guesswork so you can focus on feeling your best.
Step Confidently Into a New Year of Care
A year-end preventive care review gives you the knowledge and structure needed to begin 2026 with clarity. Instead of wondering what you might be forgetting, you can move through the new year knowing exactly what your body needs and when to schedule it.
To schedule your personalized annual preventive care review or learn more about women’s primary care in Westlake, call Concierge Medicine of Westlake at 440-797-1871 or visit www.conciergemedicineofwestlake.com.
