|
In your 20s and 30s |
|
|
Test |
How Often |
|
Heart health |
| Blood pressure |
Every 2 years |
| Cholesterol test (total and HDL) |
Every 5 years |
|
Reproductive and breast health |
| Pelvic exam and Pap test (cervical cancer) |
Every year |
| Professional breast exam (breast cancer) |
Every year |
|
General health |
| Eye exam |
Once in your 20s, or if vision changes |
| Skin exam by dermatologist (skin cancer) |
Every 2 years |
|
In your 40s |
|
|
Test |
How Often |
|
Heart health |
| Blood pressure |
Every 2 years |
| Cholesterol test (total and HDL) |
Every 5 years |
| Electrocardiogram |
Every 5 years |
|
Reproductive and breast health |
| Pelvic exam and Pap test (cervical cancer) |
Every year |
| Professional breast exam (breast cancer) |
Every year |
| Mammogram Every year |
Every year |
|
General health |
| Fasting plasma glucose test (diabetes) |
Every 3 years |
| Thyroid hormone test |
Every 5 years |
| Rectal exam |
Every year |
| Bone mineral density test (osteoporosis) |
At your doctor’s discretion |
| Eye exam |
Baseline age 40, then every 3 years |
| Skin exam by dermatologist (skin cancer) |
Every 2 years |
|
In your 50s |
|
|
Test |
How Often |
|
Heart health |
| Blood pressure |
Every 2 years |
| Cholesterol test (total and HDL) |
Every 5 years |
| Electrocardiogram |
Every 5 years |
|
Reproductive and breast health |
| Pelvic exam and Pap test (cervical cancer) |
Every year |
| Professional breast exam (breast cancer) |
Every year |
| Mammogram |
Every year |
|
General health |
| Fasting plasma glucose test (diabetes) |
Every 3 years |
| Thyroid hormone test |
Every 5 years |
| Rectal exam |
Every year |
| Bone mineral density test (osteoporosis) |
Once in your 50s |
| Fecal occult test (colorectal cancer) |
Every year |
| Colorectal cancer screening |
Every 5-10 years |
| Eye exam |
Every 3 years |
| Skin exam by dermatologist (skin cancer) |
Every 2 years |
|
In your 60s |
|
|
Test |
How Often |
|
Heart health |
| Blood pressure |
Every 2 years |
| Cholesterol test (total and HDL) |
Every 5 years |
| Electrocardiogram |
Every 5 years |
|
Reproductive and breast health |
| Pelvic exam and Pap test (cervical cancer) |
Every year |
| Professional breast exam (breast cancer) |
Every year |
| Mammogram |
Every year |
|
General health |
| Fasting plasma glucose test (diabetes) |
Every 3 years |
| Thyroid hormone test |
Every 2 years |
| Rectal exam |
Every year |
| Urinalysis |
Every year |
| Bone mineral density test (osteoporosis) |
Once at age 65 |
| Fecal occult test (colorectal cancer) |
Every year |
| Colorectal cancer screening |
Every 5-10 years |
| Eye exam |
Every 3 years; every
1-2 years after 65 |
| Skin exam by dermatologist (skin cancer) |
Every 2 years |
|
In your 70s and Beyond |
|
|
Test |
How Often |
|
Heart health |
| Blood pressure |
Every year |
| Cholesterol test (total and HDL) |
Every 5 years until age 85 |
| Electrocardiogram |
Every 5 years |
|
Reproductive and breast health |
| Pelvic exam |
Every year |
| Professional breast exam (breast cancer) |
Every year |
| Mammogram |
Every year |
|
General health |
| Complete physical |
Every year |
| Fasting plasma glucose test (diabetes) |
Every 3 years |
| Thyroid hormone test |
Every 2 years |
| Rectal exam |
Every year |
| Urinalysis |
Every year |
| Bone mineral density test (osteoporosis) |
Once at 70 if not performed earlier |
| Fecal occult test (colorectal cancer) |
Every year |
| Colorectal cancer screening |
Every 5-10 years |
| Eye exam |
Every 2 years; every year after 80 |
| Hearing test |
Every 2 years; every year after 80 |
| Skin exam by dermatologist (skin cancer) |
Every 2 years |
|
Special thanks to Zubina Mawji, M.D., who reviewed this journal’s health information.
- Review this list with your doctor at your next visit. The tests you need could vary depending on your family’s health history.
|
