You should visit your health care provider from time to time, even if you are healthy.
The purpose of these visits is to:- Screen for medical issues
- Assess your risk for future medical problems
- Encourage a healthy lifestyle
- Update vaccinations
- Help you get to know your provider in case of an illness
Information
Even if you feel fine, you should still see your
provider for regular checkups. These visits can help you avoid problems in the
future. For example, the only way to find out if you have high blood
pressure is to have it checked regularly. High blood sugar and high cholesterol
levels also may not have any symptoms in the early stages. A simple blood test
can check for these conditions.
There are specific times when you should see your
provider. Below are screening guidelines for women ages 40 to 64.
BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING
- Have your blood pressure checked once a year. If the top number
(systolic number) is between 120 and 139 or the bottom number (diastolic
number) is between 80 and 89 mm Hg or higher, have it checked every year.
- Watch for blood pressure screenings in your area. Ask your provider
if you can stop in to have your blood pressure checked. You can also check
your blood pressure using the automated machines at local grocery stores
and pharmacies.
- If the top number is greater than 140, or the bottom number is
greater than 90, schedule an appointment with your provider.
- If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain
other conditions, you may need to have your blood pressure checked more
often.
CHOLESTEROL SCREENING
- Begin cholesterol screening between the ages of 40 to 45.
- Once cholesterol screening has started, your cholesterol should be
checked every 5 years.
- If you have high cholesterol levels, diabetes, heart disease,
kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be checked
more often.
DIABETES SCREENING
- If you are over age 44, you should be screened every 3 years.
- If you are overweight, ask your provider if you should be screened
at a younger age. Asian Americans should be screened if their BMI is greater
than 23.
- If your blood pressure is above 135/80 mm Hg, or you have other
risk factors for diabetes, your provider may test your blood sugar level
for diabetes.
COLON CANCER SCREENING
If you are under age 50, you should be screened if
you have a strong family history of colon cancer or polyps. Screening may also
be considered if you have risk factors such as a history of inflammatory bowel
disease or polyps.
If you are between ages 50 to 75, you should be
screened for colorectal cancer. There are several screening tests available.
Some common screening tests include:
- A fecal occult blood test done every year
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years along with a
fecal occult blood test every 3 years
- Colonoscopy every 10 years
You may need a colonoscopy more often if you have
risk factors for colon cancer, such as:
- Ulcerative colitis
- A personal or family history of colorectal cancer
- A history of colorectal adenomas
DENTAL EXAM
- Go to the dentist once or twice every year for an exam and
cleaning. Your dentist will evaluate if you have a need for more frequent
visits.
EYE EXAM
- Have an eye exam every 2 to 4 years ages 40 to 54 and every 1 to 3
years ages 55 to 64. Your provider may recommend more frequent eye exams
if you have vision problems or glaucoma risk.
- Have an eye exam at least every year if you have diabetes.
IMMUNIZATIONS
- You should get a flu shot every year.
- Ask your provider if you should get a vaccine to reduce your risk
of pneumonia.
- You should have a tetanus-diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tap)
vaccine once as part of your tetanus-diphtheria vaccines. You should have
a tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years.
- You may get a shingles or herpes zoster vaccine once after age 60.
- Your provider may recommend other immunizations if you are at high
risk for certain conditions.
PHYSICAL EXAM
- Your blood pressure should be checked at least every year.
- Your provider may recommend checking your cholesterol every 5 years
if you have risk factors for coronary heart disease
- Your height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) should be checked at
each exam.
During your exam, your provider may ask you about:
- Depression
- Diet and exercise
- Alcohol and tobacco use
- Safety issues, such as using seat belts and smoke detectors
BREAST EXAM
- Women may do a monthly breast self-exam. However, experts do not
agree about the benefits of breast self-exams in finding breast cancer or
saving lives. Talk to your provider about what is best for you.
- You should contact your provider immediately if you notice a change
in your breasts, whether or not you do self-exams.
- Your provider may do a clinical breast exam as part of your
preventive exam.
MAMMOGRAM
- Women ages 40 to 49 may have a mammogram every 1 to 2 years. However, not
all experts agree about the benefits of having a mammogram when women are
in their forties. Talk to your provider about what is best for you.
- Women ages 50 to 75 should have a mammogram every 1 to 2 years
depending on their risk factors, to check for breast cancer.
- Women with a mother or sister who had breast cancer at a younger
age should consider yearly mammograms. They should begin earlier than the
age at which their youngest family member was diagnosed.
OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING
- All women over age 50 with fractures should have a bone density test (DEXA scan).
- If you are under age 65 and have risk factors for osteoporosis, you should be screened.
PELVIC EXAM AND PAP SMEAR
- You should have a Pap smear every 3 years. If you have both
a Pap smear and human papilloma virus (HPV) test, you may be tested every
5 years. HPV is the virus that causes genital warts and cervical cancer.
- Your provider may do pelvic exams more often if you develop
problems.
- If you have had your uterus and cervix removed (total
hysterectomy), and you have not been diagnosed with cervical cancer, you
do not need to have Pap smears.
- Women who are sexually active and at high risk should be screened
for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Your provider may talk with you about testing
for other infections.
- Your provider will ask you questions about alcohol and tobacco, and
may ask you about depression.
SKIN EXAM
- The American Cancer Society recommends a skin exam as part of a
periodic exam by your provider, if it is indicated.
- The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) does not recommend
for or against performing a skin self-exam.
LUNG CANCER SCREENING
The USPSTF recommends annual screening for lung
cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in adults aged 55 to 80 years
who:
- Have a 30 pack-year smoking history AND
- Currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years
