Being superhealthy is easy to achieve - whatever your age. Here, we assess your risks and show how a few small lifestyle adjustments can make a big difference.
YOUR HEALTH AT... 25
Heart disease risk: 0.3%
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is rare in young women. But your lifestyle now will affect your heart health in later years. There's evidence that fatty streaks can develop in your arteries when you're in your 20s. Taking regular exercise and cutting down on salt and fat are important now. Even five cigarettes a day double your risk of heart attack, whether you're 25 or 75, so quit if you can. If you're on the pill, your doctor should check your blood pressure every six months. Binge-drinking also raises blood pressure, so try to keep your alcohol intake low and even.
Breast cancer risk: 1 in 15,000
Your risk of breast cancer rises with age, but most people who develop it are over 50. Although the disease can occur in younger women, it is relatively rare. The good news is that having your first child before the age of 30 reduces your risk - and if you do have a baby, then breastfeeding can also help cut your odds.
Melanoma risk: 7.9 per 100,000
According to new figures, if you regularly use sunbeds before the age of 35, you increase your risk of malignant melanoma by as much as 75 per cent. Sunbed use is also linked to squamous cell carcinoma, a slow-growing form of skin cancer.
Your muscles and bones
Your 20s may be your most active years and therefore your most injury-prone. Minor injuries can set you up for mobility problems in later life. Say you sprain your ankle - when the pain's gone you think you're OK, but your muscle use and balance will have changed. Unless you build your ankle up to its former strength, you may go on to injure your ankle, knee, hip and even your back. See a physiotherapist following any injury and consider having a full-body musculoskeletal assessment to identify and correct any problems. On the plus side, bone density peaks in your late 20s, so you 're less likely to incur fractures.
Your teeth: 24% are filled
The biggest problem in younger age groups is decay, which is entirely preventable. It's caused by sugar in junk food and bacteria left on teeth by poor hygiene. Don't discount gum disease, either. There are often no symptoms - until pain or bleeding gums show it's advanced. Gum disease is associated with a higher risk of stroke and heart disease. Prevent it by flossing, using alcohol-free mouthwash and visiting your dentist twice a year.
YOUR HEALTH AT... 35
Heart disease risk: 0.6%
If you 're still on the pill at 35 and smoke, have high blood pressure or a family history of thrombosis, your GP will probably advise that you come off the combined pill or switch to a mini pill, as these factors increase your risk of heart disease. It can be harder to keep weight off once you hit your 30s, but watch your waist measurement doesn't creep past 31 inches. Fat stored around the abdomen increases your risk of CHD and diabetes.
Breast cancer RISK: 1 in 200
Although eight out of 10 breast cancers are in women over 50, it's vital to be breast aware at any age. Be familiar with how your breasts look and report unusual changes to your doctor. Aside from lumps, be aware of puckering or dimpling of the skin and nipple changes. Watch your lifestyle too - drinking one unit of alcohol a day increases your risk by six per cent, while regular exercise reduces risk.
Melanoma risk: 14.3 per 100,000
Because sun damage accumulates with age, you ll probably get more moles over time. Your risk of melanoma increases too - a third of all cases occur in people under 50 and, in the 20 to 39 age group, melanoma is the second most common cancer.
Your muscles and bones
The effects of childbearing and childcare means often women in their 30s suffer from back problems. After having a baby, women tend to lose muscle tone and their abs are weaker and unable to support the back. Properly taught, equipment-based Pilates classes are a great way to improve core stability and prevent back pain.You also need adequate sleep - the effect of gravity on your spine during the day is to compress and dehydrate these discs, then while you're lying down at night, the discs can re-absorb all the water they need to protect your spine.
Your teeth: 34% are filled
Acid erosion starts to show in your 30s. It's on the increase as people are eating more fruit than they did a few years ago. Citrus juices and diet drinks are also culprits. Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride and brush before eating fruit to build up a protective layer. Acid softens the enamel on your teeth so if you brush directly after eating or drinking, you 're literally spitting your teeth down the sink. Give it at least 90 minutes - if you want to feel fresher, stick to sugar-free gum.
YOUR HEALTH AT... 45
Heart disease risk: 1.8%
Your risk of heart attack increases slightly, but still remains low until about 10 years after your menopause.
Breast cancer risk: 1 in 50
Every woman over 50 is encouraged to have mammograms. Before this age, breast tissue is usually too dense for X-rays to be helpful. Fewer than one in 20 breast cancer cases is inherited, but if you think you may be affected, talk to your doctor about genetic screening.
Melanoma risk: 182 per 100,000
While non-melanoma forms of skin cancer are usually not life-threatening, early detection is vital. Be aware of any skin changes, not just moles. Your risk of melanoma increases sharply as you reach your 50s,with the most female cases occurring in the 55 to 59 age group.
Your muscles and bones
Loss of flexibility can really set in by your 40s. People generally use only about 60 per cent of their available range of movement.
One day you'll wake up and this is all you ll have - so use it or lose it. Yoga is recommended, thorough stretching after exercise and keeping active. There's no reason you can't preserve flexibility for life.
Once you approach the menopause, bone density begins to wane due to the drop in oestrogen levels. The earlier your menopause,the higher your risk of osteoporosis.
Your teeth: 39% are filled
At 45, you may have more fillings but you're still likely to have most of your teeth - a vast improvement on previous generations.Wear and tear starts to show in your 40s. Years of brushing too hard wears enamel and contributes to receding gums.
Switch to an electric brush which cuts out if you press too hard. Go for softer bristles and ask your dentist to show you how to brush properly. Don't brush your gums.
YOUR HEALTH AT... 25
Heart disease risk: 0.3%
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is rare in young women. But your lifestyle now will affect your heart health in later years. There's evidence that fatty streaks can develop in your arteries when you're in your 20s. Taking regular exercise and cutting down on salt and fat are important now. Even five cigarettes a day double your risk of heart attack, whether you're 25 or 75, so quit if you can. If you're on the pill, your doctor should check your blood pressure every six months. Binge-drinking also raises blood pressure, so try to keep your alcohol intake low and even.
Breast cancer risk: 1 in 15,000
Your risk of breast cancer rises with age, but most people who develop it are over 50. Although the disease can occur in younger women, it is relatively rare. The good news is that having your first child before the age of 30 reduces your risk - and if you do have a baby, then breastfeeding can also help cut your odds.
Melanoma risk: 7.9 per 100,000
According to new figures, if you regularly use sunbeds before the age of 35, you increase your risk of malignant melanoma by as much as 75 per cent. Sunbed use is also linked to squamous cell carcinoma, a slow-growing form of skin cancer.
Your muscles and bones
Your 20s may be your most active years and therefore your most injury-prone. Minor injuries can set you up for mobility problems in later life. Say you sprain your ankle - when the pain's gone you think you're OK, but your muscle use and balance will have changed. Unless you build your ankle up to its former strength, you may go on to injure your ankle, knee, hip and even your back. See a physiotherapist following any injury and consider having a full-body musculoskeletal assessment to identify and correct any problems. On the plus side, bone density peaks in your late 20s, so you 're less likely to incur fractures.
Your teeth: 24% are filled
The biggest problem in younger age groups is decay, which is entirely preventable. It's caused by sugar in junk food and bacteria left on teeth by poor hygiene. Don't discount gum disease, either. There are often no symptoms - until pain or bleeding gums show it's advanced. Gum disease is associated with a higher risk of stroke and heart disease. Prevent it by flossing, using alcohol-free mouthwash and visiting your dentist twice a year.
YOUR HEALTH AT... 35
Heart disease risk: 0.6%
If you 're still on the pill at 35 and smoke, have high blood pressure or a family history of thrombosis, your GP will probably advise that you come off the combined pill or switch to a mini pill, as these factors increase your risk of heart disease. It can be harder to keep weight off once you hit your 30s, but watch your waist measurement doesn't creep past 31 inches. Fat stored around the abdomen increases your risk of CHD and diabetes.
Breast cancer RISK: 1 in 200
Although eight out of 10 breast cancers are in women over 50, it's vital to be breast aware at any age. Be familiar with how your breasts look and report unusual changes to your doctor. Aside from lumps, be aware of puckering or dimpling of the skin and nipple changes. Watch your lifestyle too - drinking one unit of alcohol a day increases your risk by six per cent, while regular exercise reduces risk.
Melanoma risk: 14.3 per 100,000
Because sun damage accumulates with age, you ll probably get more moles over time. Your risk of melanoma increases too - a third of all cases occur in people under 50 and, in the 20 to 39 age group, melanoma is the second most common cancer.
Your muscles and bones
The effects of childbearing and childcare means often women in their 30s suffer from back problems. After having a baby, women tend to lose muscle tone and their abs are weaker and unable to support the back. Properly taught, equipment-based Pilates classes are a great way to improve core stability and prevent back pain.You also need adequate sleep - the effect of gravity on your spine during the day is to compress and dehydrate these discs, then while you're lying down at night, the discs can re-absorb all the water they need to protect your spine.
Your teeth: 34% are filled
Acid erosion starts to show in your 30s. It's on the increase as people are eating more fruit than they did a few years ago. Citrus juices and diet drinks are also culprits. Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride and brush before eating fruit to build up a protective layer. Acid softens the enamel on your teeth so if you brush directly after eating or drinking, you 're literally spitting your teeth down the sink. Give it at least 90 minutes - if you want to feel fresher, stick to sugar-free gum.
YOUR HEALTH AT... 45
Heart disease risk: 1.8%
Your risk of heart attack increases slightly, but still remains low until about 10 years after your menopause.
Breast cancer risk: 1 in 50
Every woman over 50 is encouraged to have mammograms. Before this age, breast tissue is usually too dense for X-rays to be helpful. Fewer than one in 20 breast cancer cases is inherited, but if you think you may be affected, talk to your doctor about genetic screening.
Melanoma risk: 182 per 100,000
While non-melanoma forms of skin cancer are usually not life-threatening, early detection is vital. Be aware of any skin changes, not just moles. Your risk of melanoma increases sharply as you reach your 50s,with the most female cases occurring in the 55 to 59 age group.
Your muscles and bones
Loss of flexibility can really set in by your 40s. People generally use only about 60 per cent of their available range of movement.
One day you'll wake up and this is all you ll have - so use it or lose it. Yoga is recommended, thorough stretching after exercise and keeping active. There's no reason you can't preserve flexibility for life.
Once you approach the menopause, bone density begins to wane due to the drop in oestrogen levels. The earlier your menopause,the higher your risk of osteoporosis.
Your teeth: 39% are filled
At 45, you may have more fillings but you're still likely to have most of your teeth - a vast improvement on previous generations.Wear and tear starts to show in your 40s. Years of brushing too hard wears enamel and contributes to receding gums.
Switch to an electric brush which cuts out if you press too hard. Go for softer bristles and ask your dentist to show you how to brush properly. Don't brush your gums.