12 Preventive Screenings To Help You Stay Healthy
Talk with your doctor regularly about what preventive screenings you should receive each year. We compiled a list of ones to consider.
When we hear bad news, most of us wish we could have done something to avoid it happening in the first place. When it comes to your health, getting preventive screenings can help. These tests or examinations can help you find problems early, when they are easier to fix, and that can save you money in the long run.
Sometimes preventive screenings can be used to avoid a problem altogether. For example, if high cholesterol is detected in a screening, medications can be prescribed to lower cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease from developing.
You and your doctor should discuss which preventive screenings are right for you. There are dozens of preventive screenings available -- from abdominal aortic aneurysm to weight control. Whether you should get them depends on many things, including your gender, age, and risk factors such as family history.
A great time to have that talk is during an annual preventive visit with your primary care physician. It is important to see your primary care physician regularly, even if you are younger or feeling well. During these check-ups, your doctor will get to know you, your health, and your family history. They may review other recommended screenings with you, and their team can help with scheduling these.
Your annual check-up and some other preventive services may be available at no cost to you. Please visit our website for more information and to see our recommended guidelines for preventive care services. To help you get started, here’s a list of 12 common preventive services to consider getting.
Recommended Preventive Screenings for Adults
| Screening | Benefits | Who Should Be Screened |
|---|---|---|
| Breast Cancer |
Mammography can detect breast cancer in early stages, before it spreads to other parts of the body. |
Women ages 40 or older, and younger women at increased risk |
| Cervical Cancer | A Pap smear and the human papillomavirus (HPV) test can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early. | Women ages 20 to 70 |
| Cholesterol | If elevated cholesterol is found, it can be lowered by healthy eating, exercise, and medications. | Adults ages 35 or older |
| Colorectal Cancer | Colorectal cancer can be removed if found early, before it spreads. | Adults ages 45 to 75 |
| Depression | Answering a series of questions can help identify depression. Early treatment can improve depression and keep it from becoming more serious. | All adults |
| Diabetes | Diabetes can be prevented or controlled through weight loss, eating healthy and staying active. | Adults ages 40 to 70 who are overweight or obese |
| Hepatitis B | Treatment of infection can prevent liver disease. | Adults at high risk |
| Hepatitis C | Treatment of infection can prevent liver disease. | Adults at high risk and a one-time screening for adults born between 1945 and 1965 |
| HIV Infection | Detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and preventive measures can greatly decrease transmission to others. | Adults ages 18 to 65 |
| Prostate Cancer | If prostate cancer is found early, it can be treated before it spreads. | Men ages 40 or older |
| Sexually Transmitted Diseases | Testing for STDs, including chlamydia & gonorrhea, can prevent pelvic inflammatory disease and other complications. | Women ages 24 or younger, and older persons at higher risk |
| Skin Cancer |
Removing pre-cancerous skin growths, or detecting and treating skin cancer early, improves chances of recovery and avoids complications. |
All adults |
