
Feeling good? That’s a good time to think about healthcare you can plan ahead. Preventative screenings are an important tool to monitor health. (Bonus: They’re convenient – part of an annual physical, or easy to schedule.)
Here are the screenings the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommends for all adults:
Cholesterol – every 5 years (age 20+) Colorectal cancer – every 10 years (age 50-75) Diabetes – every 3 years (age 45+) Hepatitis C – if born between 1945-1965 Hypertension (blood pressure) – every 1-2 years Lung cancer – current or quit in past 15 years (age 55+)To check at each annual physical:
Alcohol use Depression Tobacco use and cessation HIV infection/risk Weight/Body Mass IndexAdditional screenings the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommends for women:
Mammogram – every year (age 40+) Osteoporosis – baseline (age 65 or at menopause) Cervical cancer – Pap smear every year (age 21-30), then every 3 years (age 30-65) Intimate partner violence – part of yearly physical (age 18-55)Additional screenings the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommends for men:
Abdominal aortic aneurysm – if an “ever smoker” (age 65+) Prostate cancer – every year (age 50+; African Americans, 40+)Time for an annual physical, or a specific screening test? Call your local clinic to make the appointments you need.