For most women in this age group, routine screening isn't something you'll need right now. But that doesn't mean your health isn't worth paying attention to. If you have a family history of certain conditions, a known genetic risk, or something that simply doesn't feel right, it's always worth having a conversation with your GP or specialist.
This page outlines the imaging options that may be relevant for some women in this age group - not as a checklist, but as a starting point for that conversation.
Please note: These are imaging-based pathways available within our private radiology setting. They are in addition to, and do not replace other screening programmes offered through Health New Zealand.
If you have a higher-than-average risk of ovarian cancer - for example, if you carry a BRCA gene variant or have a strong family history - your doctor may recommend an annual pelvic ultrasound alongside a CA-125 blood test, even before any symptoms appear.
A pelvic ultrasound is gentle, radiation-free, and well-suited to repeat monitoring over time. As part of an annual surveillance programme, it can help pick up subtle changes early, when options tend to be simpler - or simply offer reassurance when everything looks normal.
It's worth knowing that in people with a higher genetic risk, changes can sometimes appear earlier or behave differently than in the general population, which is why keeping a closer eye can make a real difference.
Ultrasound works best as part of a wider care plan - alongside genetic counselling, specialist review, and any other tests your team recommends. Think of it as one of several tools working together, each adding a different layer of understanding to your overall picture.
If you have a known genetic mutation or a significant family history, it's worth asking your doctor whether annual ultrasound monitoring might be right for you.
A DEXA scan measures bone density and body composition, and can be a useful tool when your bone health may be affected by medical conditions, medications, or your lifestyle factors.
It's commonly recommended as a baseline or monitoring tool for men who have any of the following:
These factors can quietly affect bone strength and muscle mass - often before any symptoms become obvious.It's quick, non-invasive, and uses very low radiation. Results are always reviewed alongside your wider health picture. A DEXA scan means more informed conversations with your doctor, leading to more targeted next steps.
You may have heard that WB-MR is able to ‘check for everything’ and find disease early. While it can be used for screening or early detection in some situations it is not a complete test for all diseases, and it's important to understand its limitations.
Currently there is no evidence to demonstrate significant improvement to your health outcomes using whole‑body MRI as a screening tool. It can also identify incidental or low‑risk findings that may lead to unnecessary anxiety and follow‑up tests. In addition to this, not all diseases are detectable on whole‑body MRI - particularly in the early stages - which can offer you false reassurance.
Whole-body MRI may be appropriate:
We recommend screening that is targeted, and evidence based, matched to your own risk profile, and using imaging that’s known to improve outcomes (such as bowel, lung and the other screening options defined above).
If you believe a whole-body MRI may be appropriate for you, please discuss the potential benefits, limitations, and suitability of the test with your doctor and arrange a referral to book your appointment with us.
For women under 40 with no symptoms, no family history, and no predisposing conditions such as a BRCA gene variant or LCIS, routine breast screening is not currently recommended.
If you have an increased risk of breast cancer, screening can provide reassurance and support early detection. Screening recommendations are based on your personal risk profile, so it's important to discuss this with your healthcare provider and have your risk assessed. From there you can consider the options that best suit your profile and arrange a referral.
In younger women, breast tissue is often denser, which can make standard mammography less effective at detecting early changes. MRI uses a different technology, without radiation, that is more sensitive - making it better at picking up small or early abnormalities that might otherwise be missed.
Tomosynthesis (also known as 3D mammography) captures multiple images from different angles, allowing the breast to be viewed in thin layers rather than a single flat image. This reduces the overlap of normal tissue, making it easier to identify small or subtle abnormalities that might otherwise be hidden - offering greater confidence in the results over standard mammography.
For those with certain moderate to high-risk profiles, annual tomosynthesis is recommended alongside annual MRI.