Did you know that, according to the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC), roughly 60% of adults living in the United States have at least one chronic condition? These conditions are the leading causes of death and disability in this country. Sadly, many of these conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, lung disease, and even cancer, can potentially be prevented if you seek regular and early preventative care.
It’s not always easy to take care of ourselves. In the hustle and bustle of life, we often feel as if we have no time for routine exams and tests. However, it’s not something to put off as it very well may save your life. Check out this guide to preventative health screenings.
General health screenings
Everyone should receive the following health screenings to prevent future illness and disease.
Every year:
See your primary care physician — According to the Mayo Clinic, the majority of adults should see their primary care doctor for a wellness check annually. This ensures that you’re staying on top of early warning signs of serious health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc. Your doctor will likely have you weighed and measured to discuss your body mass index (BMI) with you as a way to assess health risks associated with being overweight or obese such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke, according to the American Heart Association. An annual exam is also important to know which vaccinations you may need and which screening tests could potentially detect cancer while it is still treatable and survivable.
See your dentist — Everyone should see their dentist at least once a year to prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other health issues that gum disease can cause over time, according to the CDC.
Get an eye exam — The CDC also notes that all healthy adults can benefit from regular eye exams as these exams can potentially save you from permanent vision loss. Many healthy adults who don’t require corrective lenses may not need annual exams. Follow your eye doctor’s recommendations for how often you should be getting eye exams. People who have diabetes should get an eye exam every year, according to the CDC.
Every three years:
Beginning at 45, you should start having your blood glucose levels checked every three years to check for early signs of diabetes, according to the American Heart Association. If the tests are abnormal (your blood sugar is in an unhealthy range), your doctor will likely advise lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise and want another blood glucose test sooner than three years.
Every 4-6 years:
Starting in your 20s, the American Heart Association recommends that everyone have their cholesterol levels checked every four to six years. If there are other risk factors, your doctor may decide to check your levels more often. Getting your cholesterol checked is one of the key ways to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Health screenings specific to women:
Women 65 years old and older should begin to get bone density testing to check for early signs of osteoporosis and to prevent bone fracturing, according to Johns Hopkins.
Cancer prevention screenings
Did you know that, according to the CDC, in 2020, cancer was the second leading cause of death in the United States? Meaning that even during the global COVID-19 pandemic, cancer still killed more people than the deadly virus (which ranked number three that year as the leading cause of death).
Cancer prevention screenings everyone should get include:
Skin cancer screenings
While the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) no longer recommends annual trips to the dermatologist (unless you are high risk or your current dermatologist recommends it), they do recommend that you perform regular self-exams. If you notice any changes, then it is recommended that you see a dermatologist as soon as possible. They also recommend the following:
- Not using tanning beds.
- Wearing broad-spectrum (SPF 30 or higher) water-resistant sunscreen when outdoors and reapplying every two hours.
- Using clothing, hats, sunglasses, etc., to protect yourself from the sun.
- Embracing the shade when you can.
Health screenings you should get every year
Colon Cancer Screenings — According to the American Cancer Society, beginning at 45, everyone should begin getting fecal occult blood tests to check for early signs of colon cancer.
Lung Cancer Screenings — Not everyone needs to receive annual lung cancer screening. However, once you turn 50, the American Cancer Society recommends that you receive an annual lung cancer screening under certain situations. Those who should be annually screened for lung cancer are those who are between the ages of 50-80 who either currently smoke, have a “20 pack-year” smoking history within the last 15 years, or have been routinely exposed to asbestos (even if it was in the past). Discuss with your doctor if you’re exposed to secondhand smoke frequently to discuss if this exposure puts you at risk.
Health screening you should get every five-ten years
Beginning at 45, the American Cancer Society recommends either a colonography test be performed every five years or a colonoscopy every ten years to check for early signs of colorectal cancer. The colonography is a virtual colonoscopy, which is helpful for those who don’t want to have a more invasive test such as a regular colonoscopy. There are several benefits to a virtual colonoscopy, however the doctor can’t remove any potential pre-cancerous polyps found during testing. A colonoscopy can biopsy and remove polyps, allowing the test to be done every ten years instead.
Cancer screenings for women
Every three years:
According to the American Cancer Society, women should begin getting a PAP smear test every three years beginning at age 25 to check for early signs of cervical cancer as part of their routine wellness check. PAP smear tests may be done more frequently should a test come back abnormal.
Annual breast exams:
Between the ages of 45 and 54, all women should get an annual mammogram to check for early signs of breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. At 55, women can start having their mammograms every other year, assuming everything is looking normal.
Cancer prevention in men
According to the American Cancer Society, while screening is not recommended for all men, starting at age 50, it is recommended that men discuss prostate cancer and testicular cancer screenings with their doctors to see if it would be wise in their particular case. Males who are African American or have a brother or father who had a prostate cancer diagnosis before 65 should discuss their testing options with their doctors even earlier.
Keeping An Eye On Your Health
While not smoking, eating a healthy diet, exercising, and limiting alcoholic beverages are key to longevity, genetics does play a factor. It’s best not to let the unexpected sneak up on you. Advocating for your own health by taking full advantage of preventative medicine is one of the best ways to prevent premature death through cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, or other preventable diseases. Receiving your doctor-recommended preventive tests and any screenings they recommend can truly be lifesaving.
For peace of mind that doesn’t require health insurance, consider a low-dose CT scan at the Preventative Diagnostic Center.
Citations:
American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Early Detection of Cancer. (2022).
Chronic Diseases in America. (2022).
Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests (2020).
Colorectal Cancer Screening: What Are My Options?. (2021).
Heart-Health Screenings. (2019).
HOW TO PREVENT SKIN CANCER. (n.d.).
Leading Causes of Death. (2022).
Osteoporosis: What You Need to Know as You Age. (n.d.).
Oral Health Tips. (2021).
Our Vision: Regular, Affordable Eye Exams. (2021).
Torborg, L. (2019).Mayo Clinic Q and A: Why do I need an annual checkup if I’m healthy?.
