Getting preventive care is one of the most important steps you can take to manage your health. That's because when a condition is diagnosed early, it is usually easier to treat. And regular checkups can help you and your doctor identify lifestyle changes you can make to avoid certain conditions.

1. Screenings by Age - 50s
General Health
• Full checkup – Including height and weight
• Thyroid (TSH) test – Discuss with your healthcare provider
or nurse
• HIV screening – Get this test if you are at risk for HIV infection
Heart Health
• Blood pressure test – At least every two years
• Cholesterol panel – Total, LDL, HDL and triglycerides
Bone Health
• Bone density screen – Discuss with your healthcare provider
Diabetes
• Blood glucose or A1c test
Breast Health
• Breast self-exam – Monthly
• Mammogram – Yearly, unless otherwise instructed by your
healthcare provider
• Clinical breast exam – Yearly
Reproductive Health
• Pap test – At least every three years or at the discretion
of your healthcare provider
• Pelvic exam – Yearly
• Sexually-transmitted infection (STI) tests – Both partners
should get tested for STIs, including HIV, before initiating
sexual intercourse
Prostate Health
• Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) – Discuss with your healthcare
provider
• Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) – Discuss with your
healthcare provider
Colorectal Health
• Fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy –
Starting at age 50, get screened for colorectal cancer
Skin Health
• Skin exam – Monthly self-exam of skin and moles and as
part of a routine full checkup with your healthcare provider
Oral Health
• Dental cleaning and exam – Every 6 months
Immunizations
• Seasonal influenza vaccine – Yearly
• Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster vaccine – Every 10 years