| Test
or Procedure |
Who
Needs It |
How
often |
| Blood
pressure measurement |
All adults |
Every
two years for those with normal blood pressure, more for those
with readings of 130/85 or higher |
| Cholesterol
measurement |
All adults |
Once every
5 years, more often if LDL (“bad”) is high or HDL
(“good”) is low |
| Pap smear |
All women
starting at age 18 |
If 3 annual
tests are normal, then once every 3 years based on your risk
factors and as recommended by your doctor. |
| Mammogram
(breast X-ray) |
Women
40-49 |
Based
on doctor’s recommendation after assessing risk factors
|
| Women
50 and over |
Yearly |
Prostate screening:
- PSA (prostate specific antigen)
- DRE (digital rectal exam |
Men with family history: starting at age 40
for DRE and PSA.
For other men, starting at age 50 for DRE and possibly PSA.
|
DRE annually
PSA on professional advice |
| Colon cancer |
Everyone 50 and older; earlier for those at
risk |
- Flexible
sigmoidoscopy, every 3-5 years after age 50
- Colon
X-ray every 3-5 years after 50
- Colonoscopy,
every 5-10 years after 50
|
| Glucose (for diabetes) |
Everyone 45 and older; earlier for those at
risk |
Every 3 years |
| Glaucoma screening |
People at high risk; those over 65, very nearsighted or diabetic |
On professional advice of eye specialist |
| Tetanus/diphtheria booster |
All adults |
Every 10 years, or after a deep or dirty wound
if most recent shot was more than 5 years ago |
| Rubella vaccine |
All women of childbearing age |
Once |
| Hepatitis A |
Travelers and people in high-risk groups (chronic liver disease,
people who have had contact with someone who has hepatitis A) |
On professional advice |
| Hepatitis B |
Health care workers, as well as adults at high risk |
On professional advice |
| Dental Checkup |
All adults |
Every 6 months on professional advice |
| Thyroid disease |
Women 50 and over |
On professional advice |
