11 Health Screenings You Need To Schedule This Year

Health screenings help diagnose diseases and chronic (long-term) conditions.

Early diagnosis can improve prognosis, increase treatment options, and reduce risks in later stages of a condition. A healthcare provider can determine which screenings you need.

General Health Screenings

All adults need general health screenings to determine their risk for chronic conditions like high cholesterol and high blood pressure (hypertension). These screenings are usually quick and covered by insurance.

1. Cholesterol

A healthcare provider, including your primary care provider, can screen your cholesterol levels with a simple blood test. Screening is the only way to know if your cholesterol level is abnormal.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance in the body's tissues. The body produces cholesterol and also receives it from food. High-fat animal products are high in cholesterol. Too much cholesterol can build up in the arteries, raising the risk of heart disease and stroke.

How often: Most adults need a cholesterol screening every 4-6 years. If heart disease, high cholesterol, or diabetes runs in your family, you may need more frequent screenings. 

2. Blood Pressure

Your blood pressure reveals how much pressure pushes against the walls of your arteries (blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to other parts of the body).

How often: Checking blood pressure is common at most healthcare provider visits, regardless of your symptoms.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is the most common chronic condition diagnosed during outpatient visits. It means you may be at greater risk for heart disease. High blood pressure may not cause symptoms, so regular screenings are important for adults 18 or older.

Screenings can also show slightly elevated blood pressure. This can help you make lifestyle changes to lower your risk of hypertension.

3. Diabetes

Diabetes is a common chronic health condition that affects how the body uses and stores glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This serious condition raises the risk of kidney disease, heart disease, and blindness.

Your healthcare provider can screen you for diabetes with a fasting blood glucose test, which measures if your blood sugar levels are in a healthy range.

How often: Most adults don't require regular diabetes screenings, but some may benefit. For example, if they:

• Have obesity

• Are 45 or older

• Have a family history of diabetes

• Have a history of gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy

• Have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

• Are a particular race or ethnicity (American Indian, Alaska Native, Hispanic, Black, Asian)

4. Mental Health

Mental health is a critical part of overall health, and regular screenings are becoming more common. Mental health screenings can lead to an earlier diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.

How often: Your primary healthcare provider may conduct a mental health screening at your annual physical with a short survey. About 75% of all mental health conditions begin by age 24, so regular screenings may start as early as the teen years.

Cancer Screenings

Cancer screenings can diagnose cancer in early stages before the disease causes symptoms. Early diagnosis contributes to a better prognosis.

1. Mammogram

Mammograms are X-ray tests that detect breast cancer before symptoms appear. When breast cancer is diagnosed in the early stages, treatment is usually more successful.

During a mammogram, a healthcare provider will help you place each breast between two X-ray plates. Your healthcare provider will recommend further testing if the test detects any abnormalities.

How often: The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all people assigned female at birth begin regular breast cancer screenings starting at age 40. Your healthcare provider may recommend starting mammograms sooner, depending on your risk factors. Most people require a mammogram every other year.

2. Cervical Cancer Screening

HPV testing and a Pap smear are two common cervical screening tests. DNA-based HPV testing is becoming more popular because it's considered more effective at detecting precancerous lesions and preventing cervical cancer.

• HPV DNA test: Your provider will remove cells from the cervix to examine them for HPV DNA. If the test comes back negative, you have a lower chance of getting HPV within the next 5-10 years. Your healthcare provider should let you know how long you should wait before getting tested again.

• Pap smear: A pap smear is usually part of a pelvic exam. Your provider uses a small brush to remove cells from the surface of the cervix (the organ that connects the vagina to the uterus). A pathologist (a doctor who studies tissues and fluids from the body) examines the cells for cell changes that indicate cervical cancer.

How often: People assigned female at birth should have regular pap smears starting at age 21. If your Pap smear is normal, you may be able to wait three years until your next screening. Once you turn 65, talk with your healthcare provider to see how your screening schedule may change.

3. Skin Check

A skin check is a physical exam where a dermatologist looks for signs of skin cancer. Possible signs include a mole that is changing or a sore that never heals. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and early detection is important.

During a skin check, your healthcare provider should inspect all of your skin, including your scalp and between your toes. If they find an area of concern, they may recommend a skin biopsy (removing a small sample of skin) to check for cancer cells. Do not wear makeup or lotions on the day of your skin check.

How often: Many people have yearly skin checks, but people at a higher risk of skin cancer might have them more often.

4. Colorectal Cancer Screenings

Colorectal cancer screenings look for cancers of the colon and rectum, parts of your large intestine. Screenings include stool-based tests and visual procedural exams.

How often:

Stool-based tests test stool (poop) for cancer cells. They occur every 1-3 years. For visual procedural exams, a healthcare provider places a flexible tube with a camera into the rectum and colon to look for areas of irritation. These tests include a colonoscopy, CT colonoscopy, and sigmoidoscopy. They need to be performed every 5-10 years.

• Adults with an average risk for colorectal cancer should begin screenings at age 45.

• People at high risk of colorectal cancer, such as those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or a family history of colorectal cancer, may need to start screening earlier.

• People ages 75-85 should speak with their healthcare provider to determine if they still need screening.

• People older than 85 do not need colorectal cancer screenings, as the risk of complications during the screenings becomes higher.

Screenings for Specific Conditions

Depending on your health and family history, your primary healthcare provider may recommend health screenings for specific conditions. 

1. Bone Density Test

A bone density test measures the amount of calcium and other minerals in the bone. This screening test can detect osteoporosis, a chronic condition where the bones become weak and brittle. The risk of osteoporosis increases significantly after menopause.

All people assigned female at birth should start regular bone density tests at age 65 or after going through menopause. People assigned male at birth who are 65 and older should also have this test. In recent years, osteoporosis and fractures have become more common in males.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is the most common way to measure bone density. A DEXA scan uses a low-dose X-ray to measure mineral levels, like calcium, in your bones. If your bone density is too low, medications like bisphosphonates can help prevent and treat bone loss.

How often: How often you have this test depends on your risk of bone fractures, but it might range from every 2-15 years.

2. Eye and Vision Tests

A vision screening determines how well you can see far away and up close. They are common for school-age children. While a vision screening is not a typical annual physical test, it can also be important throughout adulthood.

Most adults have their vision screened by eye care specialists such as optometrists and ophthalmologists. Optometrists are healthcare providers who specialize in diagnosing and treating certain types of vision and eye disorders. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating complex vision and eye problems.

How often: Adults aged 18-64 should have a vision exam every two years. Adults 65 or older may require annual eye exams due to vision changes that usually occur later in life, such as cataracts.

3. Hearing Tests

Hearing loss is a common health problem in adults over 60. A hearing screening is quick and noninvasive. It usually involves wearing headphones and listening to sounds.

How often: Most adults 50 or older should be screened for hearing loss every five years. Adults over 65 should be screened every one to three years.

How Much Do Health Screenings Cost?

The cost of health screenings varies greatly. Noninvasive health screenings like vision or hearing tests are often less expensive than cancer screenings like mammograms or colonoscopies. Some screenings may even be free, like getting your blood pressure checked at a pharmacy.

Talk with your healthcare provider about the cost. Ask about any health screenings conducted by your local public health department or community clinic that may be free or cost less.

Are Health Screenings Covered by Insurance?

Many health screenings are covered by private insurance, government insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. Medicare covers general health screenings, many cancer screenings, vision and hearing tests, and bone density tests.

Reach out to your provider to learn which screenings are covered. Your insurance provider should be able to provide an estimate of the cost for you, if any.