Routine health care visits, laboratory tests and immunizations
for healthy adults are designed to prevent disease or to discover
disease at an early treatable stage.
How often should you see your doctor for
preventive health screenings, or physicials? Various organizations,
including the American College of Physicians, the U.S. Preventative
Task Force and various health insurance plans have developed
preventative care recommendations.
These suggested visits are the minimum guidelines
for healthy adults. Some specific medical problems or risk
factors may require more frequent visits or tests.
| Test |
Frequency |
| Weight/Height * |
Periodically, height at least once,
weight at every visit |
| Blood Pressure* |
Every physician visit, minimum every
1-2 year. |
| Hearing/Vision* |
Periodically, by history/by Snellen
test |
| Breast exam* |
Every 1-3 years if under 40 years
old. |
| |
Annually over 40 years old. |
| Digital rectal/Prostate exam* |
Annually over 40 years old. |
| Cholesterol screening |
Every five years, or periodic testing
depending on risk factors and abnormal results. |
| Fecal occult blood testing |
Annually over 50 years old. |
| Mammograms |
Every 1-2 years, for women 40-49.
Annually over 50 years old. High-risk women with a family
history of first degree relative with breast cancer
may need mammography starting at age 35. |
| Pap smear |
Every 1 –3 years until age 65. |
| Sigmoidoscopy |
Every 3 – 5 years, beginning at
age 50, or depending on risk factors or abnormal results.
|
*Included as part of an annual physical
exam.
If you have any questions about which health screenings
are right for you, talk to your doctor.
|
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