Health Screening Milestones

Staying on top of your health can feel like a second job. There are so many things to keep in mind every day when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle—take your vitamins, make time to move your body, eat breakfast, prepare a healthy dinner, get enough sleep. It can be even harder to remember your health screenings that come up yearly or only once in a decade. However, being aware of these recommendations can empower you to maintain your health.  

Physical exams and screenings help with prevention and early detection of serious health conditions and become more important as you age. What are these tests and when do you need to meet with your healthcare provider to get them done? Use this timetable to see if it's time to reach out to your provider. 

For Women 

21 years of age is the time for your first PAP Smear. This looks at the cells of your cervix for early detection of cervical cancer. Have this done every three years with the addition of HPV screening every five years once you turn 30. If you are sexually active prior to 21, testing for sexually transmitted infection may be needed separately and before having your first PAP.  

At 40 to 45, get a mammogram. A mammogram uses a special x-ray to detect breast cancer. Your first exam should be done no later than age 45, and then annually. If your mammogram continues to come back without concerns, your healthcare provider may suggest a mammogram every other year after you turn 55. 

For Men 

50 is your time to discuss your prostate and your risk for prostate cancer. With no family history of prostate cancer, you should discuss screening with your provider when you turn 50. Black Americans or those with a family history, the prostate discussion should start by age 45. If you have normal results and no family history of prostate cancer, your provider may recommend retesting every 3-5 years.  

For Everyone 

45 years old? Expect screening for colon cancer. Depending on your health and family history, screening for colon cancer may involve a stool sample, or a medical procedure called a colonoscopy. If your first exam results are not concerning, you will likely need to be tested once every 10 years.  If there are specific concerns, your provider may recommend a follow-up test sooner. If an immediate family member had colon cancer, your first screening should be 10 years prior to their age at diagnoses. For example, if your mother was diagnosed at age 41, your first colonoscopy or colon cancer screening should be done at age 31.  

60 is the time for Alzheimer and other dementia screening. This is part of your annual wellness visit using an 11-question test called the Mini-Mental State Exam. Done in the office typically at the start of your visit, it only takes about five minutes.  

65 should be your first discussion about bone density screening. A specific x-ray called DEXA is used to look for bone thinning associated with osteopenia and osteoporosis. If there are no concerns, it will only need to be done about every 10 years.  

At 65 to 75, your provider will screen you for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). An aneurysm is a bulge in your aorta that can burst. Smoking increases your risk. This screening uses ultrasound and typically only needs to be done once. If you have a family history of AAA, you should talk to your provider about this screening beginning at age 60.   

These are all considered routine screenings over your lifespan. Depending on your specific health concerns and family history, your primary care provider may consider other testing.  

Discuss all of these tests with your provider and make sure they have your updated family history so any high-risk conditions can be addressed as early as possible. Keeping these timetables in mind will keep you healthy in the long-term and support the health you work so hard for day to day.  

Hannah Paulson 

Health Education Preceptee, ViaroHealth 

For questions or comments, contact wellness@viarohealth.com