Yearly health screenings and physicals are recommended for all ages. Some of the screenings and additional exams vary by age and gender. Keep an open dialogue with your physician as to what you need due to age and risk factors.
Recommended Health Screening Schedule for Adults
Ages 18-39
A well-person screening is recommended on a yearly basis. The following screenings should take place:
• Weight and Height: Annually
• Blood Pressure: Annually
• Cholesterol Check: Starting in your twenties, and then annually once you turn 35; it will be checked every five years if normal, annually if you have risk factors
• Full-body skin check: Examine for suspicious moles or skin lesions
• Historical Illness Screenings: For known family medical issues such as heart conditions, diabetes, and cancer
• Diabetes Screening: Annually if there are known risk factors, otherwise bi-annually if BMI is greater than 25 or other lifestyle factors are present.
• Depression Screening: Mental Health assessment
• Blood Work may include: HDL and LDL cholesterol, Complete Blood Count, Basic or Complete Metabolic Panel, Thyroid Panel, Liver Enzyme Markers, Sexually Transmitted Disease Tests, Plasma Glucose
Specific to Women
• Pelvic Exam
• Cervical Cancer Screening: Pap smears every 3 years
• Breast Exam: A self-exam should be performed by you at home monthly and by clinical provider yearly
• Sexually Transmitted Infections: Depending on lifestyle or patient request
Specific to Men
• Sexually Transmitted Infections: Depending on lifestyle or patient request
• Testicular Exam: Home self-exams can be done as well
Ages 40-64
The screenings in the 18 – 39 age group should continue to be completed annually, or as recommended by your physician. Work with your provider to determine if these tests can be done bi-annually, every 3 years or a different time frame based on any current medical issues.
Additional health screenings, tests, and vaccines that could be done in this age bracket include:
• Shingles Vaccine: Two doses separated by 2 to 6 months given at age 50 and up.
• Flu Shot: Annually
• Colorectal Screening: Age 50 and up unless other risk factors are present.
• Annual Blood Work: Continue annual exams as established in earlier years.
• Full-body skin check: examine for suspicious moles or skin lesions
• Diabetes Screening: fasting blood sugar levels for signs of diabetes
• Colonoscopy: should be completed at age 50 or ten years earlier than the youngest family member with colon cancer; with normal results, colorectal cancer screenings should be completed every 10 years
• Osteoporosis Screening: Age 50 and up with risk factors
• Lung Cancer Screening: Annually if a past smoker
• Depression Screening: Mental health assessment
Specific to Women
• Mammogram: start the age of 40 and done annually; if breast cancer runs in your family or you have other risk factors, you may need to begin regular mammograms at an earlier age
• Pelvic Exam: Physical exam and Pap smear every 3 years or more frequently based on history and risk factors.
Specific to Men
• Men: prostate screenings start at the age 50 unless you are a high-risk individual then you start at the age of 40
65 YEARS AND OLDER
The majority of the previously listed exams and screening should still be completed annually. There are additional screenings to begin at the age of 65. These tests are essential to evaluating overall health and continuing to maintain health at this age.
• Bone Density Study: every 2 – 5 years; this may start at the age of 60 if you’re in a high-risk population
• Pneumococcal and Shingles vaccinations: based on physician recommendation
• Colorectal Cancer Screening: Baseline test if not done previously and continued tests based on baseline results
• Height and Weight: Height factors into osteoporosis screening
• Fall Prevention Screening: Baseline and then as needed
• Depression Screening: Mental health assessment
• High Dose Flu Vaccine
Specific to Women
• Cervical Cancer Screening: Most women can stop having Pap smears if they have no history of cervical cancer. If a hysterectomy has taken place then no pelvic exam may be necessary
Specific to Men
• Prostate Screenings: Continue annually.