Five tests women should have

>>> this morning on "today's" health, the checkups every woman need this year. it takes time, money, and let's face it. no one likes going to the doctor. but making a few appointment could have you making it a much healthier 2012 . here is the doctor of the author "what the yuck." no one likes go to the doctor. you say even if we're healthy, we should still makety a pointment.

>> absolutely. around the new year time, people make resolutions to stay healthy. what's equally important is getting preventive care, the screening checks.

>> this first one is the one i'm most guilty of. not making your appointment with your primary physician. why should you get a yearly physical?

>> get the routine things like blood pressure check. it's not just a disease of older people. diabetes, you want to be screened for with a fasting blood sure, cholesterol, especially if you have a family of heart disease and then as you get older, things like a bone density test, a fecal occult blood test that checks for colon cancer . there's a lot of very basic things you should be checked for even if you feel great.

>> okay. and the next appointment women shouldn't miss and that's their annual trip to the gynecologist. and there's a lot of confusing data on when we should get them.

>> this is why it's drushl see your gynecologist because it's a very individual thing. all the guidelines you hear in the news are broad guidelines for the pub lirks not an individual person. you may have a particular risk in your family. you might need to get your mammogram earlier, get skreends more frequently for stds. any time you go to the gynecologist, you're getting a pelvic exam , breast exam , but you should talk about these other cancer screening tests.

>> another appointment you say we should make is one to a dermatologist. this isn't just for aesthetic purposes. it's to get a full body check for skin cancer .

>> every three years under 30, if you're fair skinned, had a lot of sun exposure , you need to go more often. talk to your dermatologist about how frequently you should return.

>> i'm proud. i just went to the dentist. you shouldn't go to the dentist about your oral hygiene but overall health too.

>> yes. they only go when they have a toothache but you need to get frequent cleaning every six months, get checks for cavities. recent research shows poor dental hygiene can be linked to heart disease , inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis . it's not just about having pearly whites .

>>> this is a tough one. make your appointment with the gastroenter roll gist for a colon colonoscopy. i do it every day. it's a test that can really save your life. colon cancer is one of the leading causes of death and it's preventable.

>> truth be told, everyone has intentions but it's so hard. is there an easier way to make appointments?

>> absolutely. now technology is helping us. many have online booking and there's a new service called zocdoc where you can search by zip code , the type of insurance, which insurance you have and they'll give you appointments. many times you can't find doctors for weeks but they take advantage of cancer lagss. there's no more excuses.

>> no more excuses.

>> you can do it anywhere you are.