About Preventive Screening Tests for Adults 20 to 39 Years

Part of taking care of yourself is getting the screenings that are recommended for you at your age. These tests are an important part of your health care.

Your health care provider can help you   determine which of various screenings are for you. If it is unclear to you whether a particular screening is necessary, ask your provider the following questions:

• If the results of a screening test are unclear, is it likely that I will need other tests and exams?

• How effective is the test at detecting this disease?

• Could this test harm me? If so, what is the risk of having the test? What is the risk of not having the test?

• Given my age and health history, how effective is the treatment for the disease this test may detect?

The answers to these questions will help you and your health care provider to decide whether the test is appropriate for you.

The Best Prevention Years: Ages 20 to 39

Your chances of falling victim to a major illness such as heart disease or cancer are remote before the age of 40. A combination of developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and getting appropriate screening tests can affect how you feel and help prevent health problems in the future.  For example, during these years you tend to gain weight faster than at any other time in your adult life.  Not   smoking, avoiding extra calories and getting plenty   of exercise are an investments in your future.

If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation; that means no more than an average of 1 drink a day for women and 2 drinks a day for men. Don’t use illegal drugs.

Besides shaping your personal health habits, you should also develop a schedule of preventive health care exams that fits your   personal and family (genetic) health history. Some suggested screening exams for people ages 20 to 39 are listed below. These are general suggestions made by health experts for people without chronic conditions or other risk factors.   You should talk to your health care provider to see if you should have these, or other screening tests.

• Weight at least every two years to screen for weight gain

• Blood pressure every two years

• Fasting lipoprotein cholesterol test every 5 years

• At least one complete eye exam

• For women, a yearly clinical breast exam, and, depending on the recommendations of your health care provider, a Pap Test every 1 or 3 years, a pelvic exam, and chlamydial screening

• Regular dental exams

• Check with your provider to make sure your immunizations are up to date

What to watch out for. Although it may seem that physical ailments are a problem only for people who are older than you, no one is invincible before age 40. But you can do a number of things to prevent injury and illness. To stay safer and healthier, wear your seat belt, do not drive when you have been drinking, stay within the speed limit, use a helmet when you ride a bicycle, and practice safe sex.

This is also the time to identify your risks for diseases you may get later in life and adjust your health habits to lower those risks. Talk about these risks with your health care provider.

The Early Detection Years: Ages 40 to 64

After you turn 40, your body may remind you that middle age brings physical changes. But this does not have to be a time of physical decline. Studies show that staying active can slow the decreases in stamina and strength that are commonly associated with aging.

For many, the middle years are a time of self-renewal. You may be more ready to deal with personal health goals you postponed during your 20s and 30s. If you smoke, now is the time to quit—before cancer, heart disease, or shortness of breath begin. And if you've been putting off improving your eating habits, it's time to get on track.

If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation; that means no more than an average of 1 drink a day for women and 2 drinks a day for men. Don’t use illegal drugs.

If you haven't exercised routinely in years, start soon but start slowly. Be sure to check with your health care provider before you start, especially if you haven't been working out regularly. Exercise, a balanced diet, and stress reduction are very important for many health conditions—such as hypertension or diabetes—that begin to show up during middle age. Slowly changing your routine is safest, and you will be more likely to stick with new habits if you add them gradually.

Besides shaping your personal health habits, you should also develop a schedule of preventive health care exams that fits your  personal and family (genetic) health history. Some suggested screening exams for people ages 40 to 64 are listed below. These are general suggestions made by health experts for people without chronic conditions or other risk factors.  You should talk to your health care provider to see if you should have these, or other screening tests.

• Weight at least every two years to screen for weight gain

• Blood pressure, at least  every two years

• Fasting lipoprotein cholesterol test at least every 5 years

• Complete eye exam, 1 to 2 years

• For women, a yearly clinical breast exam and mammogram and, depending on the recommendations of your health care provider, a Pap Test every 1 or 3 years and  a pelvic exam,

• Regular dental exams

• Check with your provider to make sure your immunizations are up to date

• Colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 50

• Hearing test every 10 years until age 50, then every 3 years

• Blood glucose test every 3 years beginning at age 45

• For men, discuss the benefits and risks of prostate cancer screening for you with your health care provider beginning at age 50.  African-American men should begin this discussion by age 45.

• Skin exam for early detection of skin cancer

What to watch out for.Heart disease is the major killer of adults in midlife. But you can cut your risk of heart attack and stroke by controlling your cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and weight. Lung cancer remains the most common cause of cancer-related death for men, and the incidence of lung cancer among women is increasing at an alarming rate. Cigarette smoking accounts for   the vast majority of these deaths. Talk with your health care provider about classes to help you quit smoking, or check with your health plan to see if it offers them.

The Health Maintenance Years: Ages 65 and Older

Some people believe that disease prevention is for younger people and that by age 65 chronic illnesses have already developed. Although it's true that 4 out of 5 persons age 65 and older have arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, or other chronic conditions, preventive health care is still important. As you get older, it's important to renew your focus on prevention and keep existing health problems from getting worse.

Some suggested screening exams for people ages 65 and older are listed below. These are general suggestions made by health experts for people without chronic conditions or other risk factors.  You should talk to your health care provider to see if you should have these, or other screening tests.

• Weight at least every two years to screen for weight gain

• Blood pressure, at least every two years

• Fasting lipoprotein cholesterol test at least every 5 years

• Complete eye exam, at least every 2 to 4 years

• For women, a yearly clinical breast exam and mammogram; depending on the recommendations of your health care provider, a Pap Test every 1 or 3 years and  a pelvic exam; screening for osteoporosis every 2 years beginning at age 65, or at age 60 if you are at a higher risk

• Regular dental exams

• Check with your provider to make sure your immunizations are up to date, including Pneumococcal vaccination for those over the age of 65 or those who are younger and at higher risk. This is also a good time to check the status of you tetanus immunization.

• Colorectal cancer screening discuss the frequency and type of test with your health care provider

• Hearing test every 3 years

• Blood glucose test at least every 3 years, more often if you have risk factors for diabetes

• For men, discuss the benefits and risks of prostate cancer screening for you with your health care provider

• Skin exam for detection of skin cancer

Advice you followed—or ignored—about diet, exercise, and use of alcohol and tobacco is as important now as ever. For example, exercise remains one of the most effective ways to become or stay vital, even for the frail elderly. The following suggestions can help you make the most of your health care:

• If you see more than one health care provider, make sure each one knows what drugs another provider has prescribed for you. Drugs can interact dangerously with one another and with foods, so it's important for your providers to know everything that you're taking, including over-the-counter medications. Whenever you see your provider, bring all the original bottles of any medications you are taking.

• Tell your provider about any ailment, even if you think it's not that important. Not all aches, pains, and discomforts are normal parts of aging; yours may be treatable, and the quality of your life may improve.

• If you become ill and can no longer live independently, remember that a nursing home isn't your only option. Hospital social workers and area agencies may be able to help you find support services so you can remain at home.

What to watch out for. If you have a chronic illness, the main threats to your physical health may be related complications. But even simple cases of influenza or pneumonia can also become life-threatening. Fortunately, you can get vaccines to eliminate both risks. Preventing falls is more important than ever, particularly for women, who are more likely than men to have osteoporosis, which makes them more likely to break bones.

Depression is common among older adults because of the many losses they often experience, including the death of friends and loved ones and loss of health or independence. Fortunately, depression can be treated with prescription medication, counseling, support groups, or a combination of these.

Discuss recommendations for preventive health care services with your provider. It is unclear how effective several screening tests are after the age of 75 or 80. Your health care provider can help you decide whether you will benefit from having certain exams that may have been routine for you in the past.