Guide to Common Health Screenings by Age

Most of us know that the key to a long, healthy life is prevention. Part of preventing disease involves a combination of healthy habits (diet, exercise, rest, etc.) and visiting your primary care physician for routine health screenings.  Many illnesses can be treated much more effectively if they are detected early. For this reason, you should do your best to complete screenings suggested by your PCP at regular intervals. To help you stay on track, we have created a guide to some of the more common health screenings by age. (Remember that the exact age for the tests and their frequency will be based on your personal history and your doctor’s recommendation.)

Health Screenings to Complete in Your 20s

  Yes, even in your 20s, you should be working with your primary care doctor to monitor for certain diseases. Twenty-somethings are not immune to illness, including high blood pressure and certain types of cancers. 

Women

Annually

• Pelvic exam (this is different from a Pap test, which is specifically to rule out cervical cancer. Pap tests do not evaluate for other female reproductive illnesses, such as uterine fibroids or ovarian cancer). 
• Skin exam 

Every 2 Years

• Eye exam (your doctor may recommend this annually, in some cases)
• Blood pressure screening

Every 3 Years

• Pap smear 

Every 10 Years

• Ear/Hearing exam

Men

Annually

• Testicular exam
• Skin exam

Every 2 years

• Eye exam (your doctor may recommend this annually, in some cases)
• Blood pressure screening

Every 10 Years

• Hearing Exam

Health Screenings to Complete in Your 30s

Between the ages of 30 and 39, you will add a few more routine screenings to your checklist. At this stage of life, for example, you will be monitored for early signs of diabetes and high cholesterol. You will keep the same routine screenings and their frequency and add the following to your schedule:

Women

Every 3 Years

• Thyroid blood panel 

Every 5 Years

• Blood glucose labs
• Cholesterol panel

Men

Every 5 Years

• Blood glucose labs
• Cholesterol panel

Routine Screenings for Patients in Their 40s

In addition to the screenings you were receiving in your thirties, you will now be monitored for additional diseases of the male and female reproductive system. You will continue your screenings schedule and frequency from when you were in your thirties, and your doctor may add the following:

Women

Annually

• Mammogram 

Every 3 Years

• Bone density screening 
• Ovarian screening (for post-menopausal women only)

Men

• Prostate exam (this will be at the discretion of your doctor and based on any history that suggests you are high risk for prostate cancer)

Common Health Exams in Your 50s

50-year-olds can expect additional testing every year or every few years. Your primary care doctor will likely suggest screenings for heart disease and colorectal diseases. 

Women

Annually

• Coronary screening
• Fecal occult blood test (detects early signs of colon cancer)

Every 10 Years

• Colonoscopy

Men

Every 3 Years

• Prostate exam
• Colonoscopy

Health Screenings in Your 60s

From age 60 onwards, certain types of screenings may become more frequent. Your doctor may also recommend the following:

Women

Every 3-5 Years

• Colorectal screening

At Doctor's Discretion:

• Pneumonia and herpes vaccine boosters 

Men 

Every 2-3 Years

• Hearing test
• Bone density test

At Doctor's Discretion:

• Pneumonia and herpes vaccine boosters

Staying Healthy Starts With Primary Care

A crucial part of keeping you and your loved ones involves forming a relationship with a primary care provider. Your PCP will be your first stop in detecting and monitoring common ailments, and will help you complete additional exams as you age.  If you are looking for a family doctor near you, contact the Crane Center in Destin, Florida. Dr. Timothy Tuel is a board-certified family physician with nearly three decades of experience treating patients of all ages. Go online or call today to book your new patient appointment.