Throughout your lifetime, your risk for certain illnesses and health conditions shifts. Timely checkups and preventative screenings are critical in identifying issues at an early stage. Early detection of a health problem makes it more manageable to treat. To be proactive with your health, follow the general guidelines below to determine what age-specific screenings you need at each stage of life.

Everyone, every age

Regardless of age, here is a list of preventative screenings everyone should be mindful of scheduling:

  • Skin exam annually to check for signs of skin cancer.
  • Eye exam every one to two years to test vision and look for signs of glaucoma and macular degeneration.
  • Hearing test every ten years to test ear function.
  • Blood pressure screening every two years to test for hypertension (high blood pressure) and risk for heart conditions.

 

Age 20 – 29

In your 20s, start proactively managing your health by scheduling these preventative screenings:

Women:

  • Pelvic exam annually to check for signs of cancer.
  • Pap smear every three years to check for signs of cervical cancer.
  • Breast self-exam monthly to check for any look or feel changes.

Men:

  • Testicular exam annually to check for signs of testicular cancer.

 

Age 30-39

In addition to the screenings listed above, prioritize your health in your 30s by scheduling these screenings:

Everyone:

  • Blood glucose test every five years to check your risk for diabetes.
  • Cholesterol screening every five years to test your risk for heart disease.

Women:

  • Thyroid stimulating hormone test every few years to ensure your thyroid levels are normal, more often if you have an underactive or overactive thyroid.

 

Age 40 – 49

In addition to the screenings listed above, add these in your 40s.

Everyone:

  • Cholesterol screening annually to test your risk for heart disease.

Women:

  • Bone density testing every three years to check for signs of osteoporosis.
  • Ovarian screening every three years for post-menopausal women to test for signs of ovarian cancer.
  • Mammogram annually to check for signs of breast cancer.

Note: If you have a family history of breast cancer, you should start breast cancer screenings five years before the age of your youngest family member at diagnosis. For example, if your mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at 40, you should start yearly mammograms at age 35.

Men:

  • Prostate exam for men at high risk of developing prostate cancer.
  • Blood glucose test every three years to check your risk for diabetes.

 

Age 50-59

In addition to the screenings listed above, add these in your 50s.

Everyone:

  • Blood glucose test every three years to check your risk for diabetes.

Women:

  • Coronary screening annually to test for heart disease.
  • Colonoscopy every ten years to test for colorectal cancer/precancerous polyps.
  • Fecal occult blood test annually to test for early signs of colon cancer.

Men:

  • Colonoscopy every three years to test for colorectal cancer/precancerous polyps.
  • Prostate exam every three years to test for prostate cancer.
  • Testicular exam every three to check for signs of testicular cancer.

 

Age 60 & Beyond

In addition to the screenings listed above, add these when you’re 60 and older.

Everyone:

  • Bone density testing every two to three years to check for signs of osteoporosis.
  • Ear test every three years to test hearing and ear function.

Women:

  • Colonoscopy every five years to test for colorectal cancer/precancerous polyps.

 

Please note that this basic screening guideline does not apply to everyone. Risk factors such as family health history, race, lifestyle choices and more may impact when you should begin screenings. Talk to your primary care provider about your health history and when to begin screenings.

Preventative screening recommendations sourced from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, American Cancer Society, and PublicHealth.org.