Many of the diseases that appear in later years can be avoided if caught early. In young adulthood (under the age of 30), you can safeguard your health by scheduling a periodic health exam about every 5 years. Attention also is given to accident and injury prevention as well as to health risks from sexual activity and high-risk behaviors such as smoking and substance abuse. These screens can be scheduled as part of a periodic health exam, during which your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood glucose, weight, and height should be regularly checked and any need to update your immunizations should be reviewed.
In mid-adulthood (30-39), you can safeguard your health by scheduling a periodic health exam about every 5 years through your thirties, even if you feel healthy. After age 40, more frequent checkups are recommended, about every 1 to 3 years, again assuming your health is good. Your health care provider will physically examine you and order appropriate screening tests to promote early detection of the most common yet treatable diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
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Screening Test
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How Often
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Disease Targets
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Who Needs It
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Mammogram, clinical breast exam
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Every year
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Breast Cancer
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All women age 40 and over; women under age 40 with family history of breast cancer
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Annual pelvic exam, with Pap Test
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Every year*
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Cervical cancer, STDs (Chlamydia,
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Pelvic exam for all women. Pap tests for sexually active females yearly until age 30. Women over age 30, with 2-3 normal results, pap test every 3 years.
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Complete, fasting lipoprotein profile (blood test)
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Every 5 years
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High Cholesterol
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All adults age 20 and over. Adults with 2 or more risk factors (e.g. family history, obesity, diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure) should be tested more frequently.
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Annual physical exam
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Every year
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Obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis
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All adults should get an annual exam – tests for diabetes encouraged for adults with high risk factors; bone denisty for women 65 and over
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Skin cancer check-up
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Every 3 years
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Skin cancer
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Adults age 20 and over
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Colorectal cancer check-up
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Every 10 years
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Colorectal cancer
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Adults age 50 and over. If risk factors exist, more frequent screenings from age 40.
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Prostate cancer screening
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Every 1-2 years
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Prostate Cancer
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Men with risk factors start at age 40
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Vaccine
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How Often
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Disease Prevented
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Who Needs It
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Tetanus, diphtheria (Td)
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Every 10 years
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Tetanus, (lockjaw), a disease that causes muscles to spasm
Diphtheria, an infection that causes fever, weakness, and breathing difficulties
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All adults
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Human papillomavirus (HPV)
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One series of 3 injections
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Cervical cancer, caused by certain types of HPV
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Females age 26 and younger. (Minimum age is 9 years.)
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Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
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1 or 2 doses, for ages 19 through 49; 1 dose for ages 50 or older
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Measles, a disease marked by red spots, fever, and coughing
Mumps, a disease that causes swelling in the salivary glands and may affect the ovaries or testes
Rubella (German measles), a form of measles that, if caught by a pregnant woman, can cause birth defects
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Adults born in 1957 or later who are not known to be immune to all three of these diseases. Ask your healthcare provider if you need a second dose.
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Varicella (Var)*
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One series of 2 injections
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Chickenpox, a disease that causes itchy skin bumps, fever, and fatigue; can lead to scarring, pneumonia, or brain inflammation
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Adults who don’t have evidence of immunity
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Influenza
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Every year
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Flu, which can be especially dangerous to the elderly or people with immune disorders
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Adults age 50 and older; adults with chronic heart, lung, or kidney disease; adults with diabetes or an immune disorder; nursing home residents; healthcare workers
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Pneumococcal (PPV)
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At least once, possibly more often
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Pneumonia, an infection that causes inflammation in the lungs, and can lead to death
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Adults age 65 and older; adults with chronic illnesses, such as asthma, COPD, heart disease, diabetes; adults with an immune disorder
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Hepatitis A (HepA)
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One series of 2 injections
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Hepatitis A, an infection that can result in acute liver inflammation and jaundice (yellow skin and whites of the eyes)
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Adults with risk factors, such as clotting disorders or chronic liver disease; adults with high risk of exposure
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Hepatitis B (HepB)
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One series of 3 injections
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Hepatitis B, an infection that causes chronic, severe liver disease
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Adults with high risk of exposure, such as healthcare providers and sanitation workers
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Meningococcal
(MCV4 or MPSC4)
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1 or more doses
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Meningococcal disease (bacterial meningitis), inflammation of the membrane covering the brain and spinal cord; can result in death
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Adults with immune deficiencies or high risk of exposure; college freshmen living in dormitories; military recruits
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Zoster**
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1 dose
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Herpes zoster (shingles), a painful rash marked by blisters
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Adults age 60 and older.
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Travelers’ diseases
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As needed
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Infections such as cholera, typhoid, yellow fever, polio, rabies, meningococcal disease, hepatitis A, hepatitis B
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Adults traveling out of the country. Required immunizations will vary depending on the country you visit. Check CDC website: www.cdc.gov.
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