Norah O’Donnell’s story proves the point. Regular preventive exams and checkups can not only identify health issues before you know something is wrong, they can also save your life.
Unfortunately, because of COVID-19, many people have postponed their routine medical appointments. During the first months of the pandemic, for example, breast cancer screenings were down 63 percent and colon cancer screening dropped 64 percent. As a result, many people are still overdue for the checkups, preventive screenings and vaccinations that are so important to staying healthy.
Because staying up to date with routine health screenings is so important, we encourage you to use this chart to determine when you should begin routine preventive tests and screenings and how often they should be repeated. Please remember to always talk to your doctor about your risk factors so you can schedule your preventive screenings to match your health needs.
Preventive Health Screenings and Checkups
Men and Women
Annual Physical Exam
Annual Eye Exam
Annual Flu Shot
Diphtheria/Tetanus Vaccine every 10 years until age 65
Skin Cancer Exam every 3 years
Lipid/Cholesterol Test every 5 years starting at age 35
Your 20s
Women
- Annual OB/GYN Appointment
- Pap test every three years starting at age 21
Men
- Annual Testicular Exam
Your 30s
Women
- Pap test plus an HPV test every five years or a Pap test every three years
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Test every 5 years starting at age 35
Everyone
- Diabetes Screening if you are overweight and have other risk factors (talk to your doctor)
Men
- Cardiovascular Risk Test (depending on risk factors, talk to your doctor)
Your 40s
Women
- Annual mammogram starting at age 45 with an option to start at age 40.
- Pap test plus an HPV test every five years or a Pap test every three years.
Everyone
- Colonoscopy Screening every 10 years starting at age 45 if high risk (talk to your doctor)
- Diabetes Screening every three years starting at age 45 if results are normal
Men
- Prostate Cancer Screening
Talk to your doctor about screening for prostate cancer at age 40 if you have more than one first-degree relative (father, brother or son) who’s been diagnosed with prostate before age 65. African-Americans and men with one first-degree relative diagnosed before age 65 should talk to their doctor at age 45.
Your 50s
Women
- Osteoporosis Exam depending on risk factors
- Annual mammogram until age 55 with the option of switching to every two years after that (talk to your doctor)
- Pap test plus an HPV test every five years or a Pap test every three years
Everyone
- Colonoscopy Screening every 10 years
- Diabetes Screening every three years if results are normal
Men
- Prostate Cancer Screening
Talk to your doctor at age 50 if you are at average risk for prostate cancer.
Your 60s
Women
- Bone Mineral Density/Osteoporosis Exam
- Option of having an annual mammogram or every two years (talk to your doctor)
- Pap test plus an HPV test every five years until age 65 if you’ve had normal results. Women with a history of serious cervical pre-cancer should continue testing for 20 years after the diagnosis.
Everyone
- Colonoscopy Screening every 10 years
- Diabetes Screening every three years if results are normal
- Shingle Vaccine (once)
- Pneumonia Vaccine (once)
Men
- Prostate Cancer Screening (talk to your doctor)
Your 70s
Women
- Continue having a mammogram every 1 - 2 years if you are in good health and expect to live 10 more years or longer.
- Talk to your doctor about stopping Colon Cancer Screenings.
Men
- Talk to your doctor about stopping Colon Cancer Screenings.
Sources: American Cancer Society, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, American Thyroid Association, American Diabetes Association