Medical
Screening Guidelines
Even if you feel
healthy, it is important to have an annual physical examination. The National
Institute of Health provides general guidelines for scheduling screenings and
appointments. Depending on your health or family history, your primary care
provider may advise a different schedule.
Unless your doctor advises that you require a different checkup schedule,
the National Institutes of Health recommends the following:
Screen for high blood pressure
ü Check every 2 years.
ü If you have diabetes, heart disease,
kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be monitored more
closely.
Screen for high cholesterol
ü Men over age 34 should be checked every 5
years.
ü If you have diabetes, heart disease,
kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be monitored more
closely.
Immunizations
ü After age 19, you should have a one-time
tetanus-diphtheria and acellular pertussis (TdAP) vaccine as one of your
tetanus-diphtheria vaccines.
ü You should have a tetanus-diphtheria
booster every 10 years.
ü Your doctor may recommend other
immunizations if you are at high risk for conditions such as pneumonia.
Physical exam
ü You should have two physical exams in your
20s.
ü During the first exam, ask to have your
cholesterol checked.
Men
- Men should do a monthly testicular
self-exam. If you are not sure what you should be looking for, contact
your healthcare provider for instruction.
Women
ü You may decide to do a monthly breast
self-exam. Contact you doctor immediately if you notice a change in your
breasts.
ü A primary care provider should do a
complete breast exam every 3 years for women age 20-40.
ü Women should have a pelvic exam and Pap
smear every 1-2 years to check for cervical cancer. Screening should start
within 3 years after first having vaginal intercourse or by age 21.
ü If you are over age 30 or your Pap smears
have been negative for 3 years in a row, your doctor may tell you that you only
need a Pap smear every 2-3 years.
ü If you have had a total hysterectomy
(uterus and cervix removed) you may choose not to have Pap smears.
ü If you are sexually active you should be
screened for chlamydia infection. This can be done during a pelvic exam.
The National Institutes of Health recommends the following guidelines for
scheduling medical screenings, tests and checkups:
Blood pressure
Ø Have your blood pressure checked every 2
years if its normal. If your pressure is high, have it checked every year.
Ø If you have diabetes, heart disease,
kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be monitored more
closely.
Cholesterol
Ø Men over age 34 should be checked every 5
years.
Ø Women over age 44 should be checked every
5 years.
Ø If you have diabetes, heart disease,
kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be monitored more
closely.
Colon cancer screening
Men and women need to begin colon
cancer screening at age 50. The exception is African Americans, who should
start screening at age 45. Find out what to expect when you have a colonoscopy
- it's not nearly as bad as you think!
Exams
Ø Have a physical exam every 1-5 years.
Ø Visit your dentist every year for an exam
and cleaning.
Ø If you have vision problems, have an eye
exam every 2 years.
Ø Regular eye exams should start for
everyone at age 40.
Ø Once you turn 45, make sure that you are
tested for glaucoma.
Immunizations
Ø Be sure to get a flu vaccine every year
after age 50, or earlier if you are high risk (for example, healthcare workers)
Ø Ask your doctor if you should get a
vaccine to reduce your risk of pneumonia.
Ø You should have a tetanus-diphtheria
booster vaccination every 10 years.
Ø A shingles vaccination may be given once
after age 60.
Men
- Most men age 50 or older should have
a prostate blood test and exam to test for prostate
cancer. The exceptions are African-American men and those with a
family history of prostate cancer, who should start at age 45.
- All men ages 50-70 with risk factors
for osteoporosis should discuss bone density screening with their doctor.
Women
Ø Continue monthly breast self-exams.
Contact you doctor immediately if you notice a change in your breasts.
Ø A complete breast exam should be done by a
healthcare provider every year.
Ø If you are over 40, you should have a mammogram
to check for breast cancer every 1-2 years depending on risk factors
Ø All postmenopausal women with fractures
should have a bone density test. If you have risk factors for osteoporosis, you
should be screened earlier.
Ø You should have a yearly pelvic exam and
Pap smear to check for cervical cancer and other disorders.
Ø If your Pap smears have been normal for 3
years in a row, your doctor may tell you that you only need a Pap smear every
2-3 years.
Ø If you have had a total hysterectomy you
may choose not to have Pap smears.
The National Institutes of Health recommends the following medical
screenings, tests and checkup schedule:
Exams
Have
a yearly physical exam.
Visit
the dentist every year.
Have
an eye exam every 2 years and make sure you are tested for glaucoma.
Have
your hearing tested every year.
Blood pressure screening
Have
your blood pressure checked every year.
If
you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions,
you may need to be watched more closely.
Cholesterol screening
If
your cholesterol level is normal, have it rechecked every 3-5 years.
If
you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions,
you may need to be monitored more closely.
Colon cancer screening
Guidelines call for a stool test every year, a colonoscopy every 10 years
or a flexible sigmoidoscopy
every 5 years. If you have risk factors for colon cancer, you may need a
colonoscopy more often. Discuss with your doctor.
Immunizations
Get a
pneumococcal vaccine if you have never had before, or if you received one at
age 60 or younger.
Get a
flu shot every year.
Get a
tetanus -diphtheria booster every 10 years.
A
shingles vaccination may be given once after age 60.
Men
All
men should discuss prostate
cancer screening with their healthcare provider.
Men
between ages 65-75 who have smoked should have an ultrasound done once to
screen for abdominal aortic aneurysm.
All
men over age 70 should have a bone density test.
Women
Continue
your monthly breast self-exam. Contact you doctor immediately if you notice a
change in your breasts.
A
complete breast exam should be done by a healthcare provider every year.
You
should have a mammogram
to check for breast cancer every 1-2 years depending on risk factors.
All
women should have at least one bone density test.
Your
schedule for Pap smears may change. If your Pap tests have been normal for
three years in a row, your PCP may tell you to be tested every 2-3 years rather
than every year.
If
you are over 70 and your Pap smears have been negative for an extended period
of time (10 years), discuss with your doctor about discontinuing the testing.
Women
who have had a total hysterectomy may choose not to have Pap smears. Discuss
this with your doctor.
Your doctor will
check for potential medical conditions and evaluate any changes in your body
you've noticed even if the symptoms or changes seem small. The benefits of an
annual check up include:
v Screening for diseases or conditions that
in the early stages may not present symptoms
v Assessing your risk for future medical problems
v Updating vaccinations
v Checking for high blood pressure and/or
cholesterol and establishing regular monitoring if they are high
v Maintaining a relationship with your
doctor so he or she is aware of your overall health should you acquire a sudden
or serious illness
