Preventive Health Screening by Age

Preventive health screenings are crucial for detecting potential health issues before they become serious. The recommended tests and screenings vary by age, gender, family history, and risk factors. Below is a general guide to essential health screenings by age group for the average individual. Always consult with a healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.

General Tips for All Ages

• Lifestyle Factors: Maintain a healthy diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and avoid smoking or excessive alcohol.


• Family History: Share your family’s medical history with your doctor to identify risks for conditions like heart disease, cancer, or diabetes.


• Vaccinations: Stay up-to-date with vaccinations (e.g., flu, tetanus, shingles, HPV, etc.) as recommended by your healthcare provider.

Ages 18–29: Young Adults

• Blood Pressure Check: At least once every 2 years if normal; annually if elevated.


• Cholesterol Screening: Start at age 20 if there are risk factors (e.g., family history of heart disease, obesity); otherwise, every 4–6 years.


• Height, Weight, and BMI: Annual check to monitor for obesity or underweight issues.


• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Screen for chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, and others if sexually active, especially with multiple partners.


• Cervical Cancer (Women): Pap smear starting at age 21, every 3 years if results are normal (may combine with HPV test after age 25).


• Skin Cancer: Monthly self-checks for unusual moles or skin changes; annual dermatologist visit if at high risk (e.g., fair skin, history of sunburns).


• Mental Health: Screen for depression or anxiety during routine checkups, especially if experiencing stress or mood changes.


• Dental Checkups: Every 6–12 months for cleanings and to prevent oral health issues.


• Vision and Hearing: Baseline checks if not done recently; monitor for changes.

Ages 30–39: Early Adulthood

• Blood Pressure Check: Every 1–2 years if normal; more frequently if elevated.


• Cholesterol Screening: Every 4–6 years if normal; more often if at risk.


• Blood Sugar (Diabetes Screening): Start at age 35 (or earlier if overweight, family history, or other risk factors); fasting glucose or HbA1c test every 3 years if normal.


• Cervical Cancer (Women): Pap smear with HPV co-testing every 5 years (or Pap alone every 3 years) if results are normal.


• Breast Cancer (Women): Discuss clinical breast exams and mammograms with your doctor, especially if there’s a family history; some guidelines suggest starting mammograms at age 40.


• Testicular Cancer (Men): Monthly self-exams for lumps or changes; discuss with a doctor if abnormalities are found.


• Skin Cancer: Continue self-checks and annual dermatology visits if at risk.


• Mental Health: Continue screening for depression, anxiety, or stress.


• Vaccinations: Ensure boosters (e.g., Tdap) and discuss HPV vaccine if not previously received (available up to age 45 in some cases).

Ages 40–49: Middle Adulthood

• Blood Pressure Check: Annually or as advised by a doctor.


• Cholesterol Screening: Every 1–2 years if at risk; otherwise every 4–6 years.


• Blood Sugar (Diabetes Screening): Every 3 years if normal; more frequently if overweight or other risk factors.


• Breast Cancer (Women): Mammograms every 1–2 years starting at age 40 (per guidelines like the American Cancer Society); clinical breast exams annually.


• Cervical Cancer (Women): Continue Pap smear with HPV co-testing every 5 years (or Pap alone every 3 years) if normal.


• Prostate Cancer (Men): Discuss PSA testing with your doctor starting at age 45 if at high risk (e.g., family history, African American descent); routine screening is controversial and not always recommended.


• Colorectal Cancer: Start screening at age 45 (per updated guidelines from the American Cancer Society); options include colonoscopy (every 10 years), stool-based tests (annually), or other methods as advised.


• Lung Cancer: Annual low-dose CT scan for heavy smokers (30 pack-years or more) or those who quit within the past 15 years, starting at age 50 (discuss with doctor if nearing this age).


• Eye Exam: Every 2–4 years for vision and early signs of glaucoma or cataracts.


• Bone Health (Women): Discuss bone density testing if approaching menopause or have risk factors for osteoporosis.

Ages 50–64: Late Adulthood

• Blood Pressure Check: Annually or more often if elevated.


• Cholesterol Screening: Annually if at risk; otherwise every 4–6 years.


• Blood Sugar (Diabetes Screening): Every 3 years if normal; more often if at risk.


• Colorectal Cancer: Continue screening (colonoscopy every 10 years, stool tests annually, or other options) until age 75 if in good health.


• Breast Cancer (Women): Mammograms every 1–2 years; continue clinical breast exams.


• Cervical Cancer (Women): Continue screening until age 65 if prior normal results; may stop if certain criteria are met (consult doctor).


• Prostate Cancer (Men): Discuss PSA testing with your doctor; consider starting at age 50 if average risk, or earlier if high risk.


• Lung Cancer: Annual low-dose CT scan for eligible smokers (30 pack-years, current or quit within 15 years) from ages 50–80.


• Bone Health: Bone density test (DEXA scan) for women starting at age 65, or earlier if at risk; men should discuss with doctor if risk factors exist (e.g., family history, steroid use).


• Eye Exam: Every 1–2 years to check for glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration.


• Hearing Test: Every 3 years or as needed if noticing hearing loss.


• Vaccinations: Shingles vaccine at age 50; annual flu shot; pneumococcal vaccine at age 65 (or earlier if at risk).


• Aneurysm Screening (Men): One-time abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening via ultrasound for men aged 65–75 who have ever smoked.

Ages 65 and Older: Senior Years

• Blood Pressure Check: Annually or as advised.


• Cholesterol Screening: As recommended by doctor; may decrease if well-controlled.


• Blood Sugar (Diabetes Screening): Continue every 3 years or as needed.


• Colorectal Cancer: Continue screening until age 75 if in good health; discuss stopping with doctor after age 75.


• Breast Cancer (Women): Continue mammograms every 1–2 years if in good health; discuss with doctor after age 75.


• Cervical Cancer (Women): May stop screening after age 65 if prior results were consistently normal and no risk factors.


• Prostate Cancer (Men): Discuss continuing PSA testing; may stop after age 70 if no symptoms and low risk.


• Lung Cancer: Continue annual low-dose CT scan for eligible smokers until age 80.


• Bone Health: Routine bone density testing for women; men as recommended if at risk.


• Eye Exam: Annually to monitor for age-related eye diseases.


• Hearing Test: Annually or as needed.


• Fall Risk Assessment: Discuss balance and mobility with doctor to prevent falls.


• Cognitive Health: Screen for memory loss or dementia if symptoms appear.


• Vaccinations: Annual flu shot; pneumococcal vaccine if not previously received; shingles booster if needed.

Additional Notes

• Individual Risk Factors: Screening frequency and type may change based on personal health history, lifestyle (e.g., smoking, obesity), and family history of diseases.


• Gender-Specific Tests: Some screenings (e.g., mammograms, Pap smears, PSA tests) are specific to biological sex.


• New Guidelines: Recommendations from organizations like the USPSTF (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force) or American Cancer Society may update over time; stay informed through your healthcare provider.