A woman talking with her doctor about health screenings.

Preventive care is one of the most powerful tools we have in the fight against cancer—especially for women over 40. With age comes a natural increase in risk for several types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, cervical, and ovarian cancer. For many women, this risk is further influenced by menopause, hormone changes, genetics, and lifestyle factors.

April marks Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month, making it the ideal time to prioritize your screenings and take a proactive approach to your health. At Premier Medicine and Wellness, Dr. Jennifer Kostacos offers concierge primary care focused on personalized prevention, early detection, and whole-person wellness.

If you’re over 40 and haven’t reviewed your cancer screening schedule recently, now is the time. With longer appointment times, advanced testing options, and a relationship-based model of care, concierge medicine offers an ideal setting to ensure you’re on the right path.

The Importance of Early Detection

Cancer is most treatable when it’s found early—often before symptoms even appear. This is why screenings play such a crucial role in long-term health. Unfortunately, many women delay or skip screenings due to busy schedules, anxiety, or a lack of personalized guidance.

Early detection often leads to:

Less aggressive treatment
Higher survival rates
Lower risk of recurrence
Improved quality of life

At Premier Medicine and Wellness, we help you stay on top of your screening schedule and ensure that results are followed up with clarity, empathy, and expert recommendations.

Breast Cancer Screening

Why it matters: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. The risk increases with age, particularly after 40. Family history, genetics (such as BRCA mutations), dense breast tissue, and hormone replacement therapy can further elevate risk.

Recommended screenings:

Mammograms: Most women should begin annual or biennial mammograms between ages 40–50, depending on personal risk factors.
Breast MRI or ultrasound: May be recommended for high-risk individuals or those with dense breasts.

How concierge care helps: We’ll assess your full personal and family history, discuss genetic testing options if appropriate, and help you determine the best imaging schedule. We also coordinate directly with radiology centers and follow up to ensure timely results and next steps.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Why it matters: Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. The risk increases significantly after age 45. Early polyps can develop without symptoms and turn cancerous over time.

Recommended screenings:

Colonoscopy: Recommended every 10 years starting at age 45 for average-risk adults.
Stool-based tests: Such as FIT or Cologuard, may be used between colonoscopies or as an alternative for those unable to undergo a procedure.

How concierge care helps: We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each option, help you understand insurance coverage, and refer you to trusted specialists for screening. We also follow up on lab and procedure results personally, so nothing slips through the cracks.

Cervical Cancer Screening

Why it matters: Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). While HPV infections are often cleared by the body naturally, persistent infections can lead to cell changes and cancer, especially as the immune system changes with age.

Recommended screenings:

Pap smear: Every 3 years from age 21 to 65
HPV testing: May be combined with a Pap test or done as a primary screening every 5 years

What’s changing: Guidelines now support longer intervals between screenings if both Pap and HPV tests are negative. However, screenings remain essential—even after menopause or if you’re no longer sexually active.

How concierge care helps: We ensure your cervical cancer screenings are up to date and offer private, comfortable in-office testing. We also review your results with care and clarity, helping you understand your risk and next steps.

Ovarian Cancer: Why Awareness Is Critical

Why it matters: Ovarian cancer is often called a “silent killer” because it rarely shows symptoms until it has advanced. There is currently no effective routine screening test for women at average risk, making awareness and personalized risk assessment key.

Risk factors include:

Family history of ovarian or breast cancer
BRCA gene mutations
Never having been pregnant
Endometriosis

What we do at Premier Medicine and Wellness:

Evaluate family history and consider genetic counseling if indicated
Monitor symptoms like bloating, pelvic pain, or changes in appetite
Perform routine pelvic exams and refer for imaging or CA-125 blood tests when necessary

While no screening can guarantee early detection of ovarian cancer, a proactive, informed approach makes a difference.

Hormones, Menopause, and Cancer Risk

The transition to menopause brings hormonal changes that can shift cancer risk in several ways:

Breast cancer: Estrogen levels, particularly in those using hormone replacement therapy, may increase risk.
Colorectal cancer: Risk increases with age and declining estrogen.
Cervical cancer: Changes in the cervix after menopause can make it harder to detect abnormal cells without regular screening.

Dr. Kostacos specializes in midlife women’s health and offers hormone consultations to help you understand your risk and make informed decisions about treatment options, including bioidentical hormone therapy when appropriate.

Prioritizing Your Health, On Your Terms

Too often, women put their own health at the bottom of the list—especially caregivers, professionals, or those navigating the physical and emotional changes of midlife. But cancer doesn’t wait, and neither should prevention.

The concierge model gives you time to ask questions, revisit concerns, and design a wellness strategy that fits your lifestyle. Whether it’s time for your first colonoscopy or you’re due for your next mammogram, we make it easy to stay on track with personalized screening schedules, streamlined referrals, and a physician who truly knows your story.

Your health is your foundation—let’s protect it together.