A guide to recommended health screenings organized by age group, covering blood work, cancer screenings, vision and hearing tests, immunizations, and scheduling tips to stay on track.
Book 2-3 months in advance since popular time slots fill quickly. Morning appointments (before 10 AM) are best for fasting blood work. Most insurance plans cover one annual wellness visit at 100% with no copay.
Book the appointment 2-3 months ahead
Request a morning slot for fasting labs
Prepare a list of questions and concerns before your visit
Write down 3-5 specific health concerns. Include any new symptoms, family health history changes, and lifestyle questions. Doctors spend an average of 18 minutes per visit; a prepared list ensures you cover everything important.
Bring an updated medication list
Include every prescription, over-the-counter drug, vitamin, and supplement with exact doses and frequencies. About 82% of adults take at least one medication. Your doctor needs the full picture to check for interactions and adjust treatments.
Know your family medical history
Record first-degree relatives' (parents, siblings) major conditions and the age of diagnosis. Heart disease before age 55 in a male relative or 65 in a female relative doubles your risk. Cancer in a first-degree relative may move your screening start date earlier by 10 years.
Blood Work and Vital Checks (All Adults)
Get blood pressure checked at every visit
Normal: below 120/80 mmHg. Elevated: 120-129/under 80. High: 130/80 or above. High blood pressure has no symptoms but causes 50% of strokes and heart attacks. If your reading is elevated, check it twice more over 2 weeks before starting treatment.
Complete a lipid panel (cholesterol test) as recommended
Adults 20+ should have cholesterol checked every 4-6 years if normal. If total cholesterol is above 200 mg/dL or LDL above 130 mg/dL, recheck annually. This fasting blood test requires 9-12 hours without food beforehand.
Get a blood glucose or A1C test for diabetes screening
Screening starts at age 35 for all adults, or earlier if overweight (BMI 25+). Fasting glucose above 100 mg/dL or A1C above 5.7% indicates prediabetes. About 96 million US adults have prediabetes, and 80% do not know it.
Discuss thyroid function testing if symptomatic
TSH testing is not recommended routinely for everyone but is warranted for unexplained fatigue, weight changes, or mood shifts. A simple blood draw checks TSH levels. Normal range is 0.4-4.0 mIU/L. Women over 60 should discuss screening with their doctor.
Check your BMI and waist circumference
BMI 18.5-24.9 is normal weight. Waist circumference above 35 inches (women) or 40 inches (men) indicates increased metabolic risk even at a normal BMI. Your doctor calculates both at your annual visit in under 2 minutes.
Cancer Screenings by Age
Cervical cancer: Pap smear/HPV test starting at age 21
Ages 21-29: Pap smear every 3 years. Ages 30-65: Pap + HPV co-test every 5 years, or Pap alone every 3 years. If all results are normal at 65, screening can stop. The HPV vaccine (effective up to age 45) greatly reduces cervical cancer risk.
Breast cancer: mammogram starting at age 40
The USPSTF recommends mammograms every 2 years starting at age 40. If you have a first-degree relative with breast cancer, start screening 10 years before their age of diagnosis. A mammogram takes 20 minutes and detects 85% of breast cancers.
Colorectal cancer: screening starting at age 45
Options: colonoscopy every 10 years, or stool-based tests (FIT test yearly, Cologuard every 3 years). Colonoscopy is the gold standard; it both detects and removes precancerous polyps in the same procedure. Prep takes 1 day; the procedure takes 30-60 minutes.
Lung cancer: low-dose CT scan for high-risk adults aged 50-80
Recommended for adults aged 50-80 who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years. Low-dose CT scans reduce lung cancer deaths by 20%. The scan takes 10 minutes with no contrast needed.
Prostate cancer: discuss PSA testing with your doctor starting at 50
The USPSTF recommends shared decision-making about PSA testing for men 55-69. A PSA test is a simple blood draw. Values above 4.0 ng/mL warrant further evaluation. African American men and those with a family history should discuss starting at age 40-45.
Skin cancer: annual full-body skin exam
While the USPSTF has not issued a formal screening recommendation, dermatologists recommend annual exams, especially if you have fair skin, a history of sunburns, or more than 50 moles. A full-body exam takes 10-15 minutes. Report any changing moles immediately.
Vision, Hearing, and Dental
Get a comprehensive eye exam every 1-2 years
Adults 18-60: every 2 years if no vision problems. Over 60: annually. A dilated eye exam detects glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy before symptoms appear. The exam takes 30-60 minutes; bring sunglasses for the drive home after dilation.
Get a hearing test every 10 years through age 50, then every 3 years
Hearing loss affects 15% of adults and worsens gradually over 7-10 years before most people notice. Untreated hearing loss is linked to a 30-40% faster rate of cognitive decline. A baseline hearing test at age 50 takes 30 minutes.
Schedule dental cleanings every 6 months
Professional cleanings remove tartar that home brushing cannot. Gum disease affects 47% of adults over 30 and is linked to heart disease and diabetes complications. X-rays every 1-2 years detect cavities between teeth that visual exams miss.
Immunizations and Preventive Medications
Get an annual flu shot (September-October)
Flu vaccination reduces flu illness by 40-60% in the general population. Adults 65+ should get the high-dose or adjuvanted version, which is 24% more effective in that age group. The shot takes 5 minutes; protection starts after 2 weeks.
Get a Tdap booster every 10 years
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis protection wanes over a decade. If you step on a rusty nail or get a deep cut, you need a booster if your last one was more than 5 years ago. Most pharmacies offer it for $0-75 depending on insurance.
Get the shingles vaccine at age 50+
The recombinant shingles vaccine (2 doses, 2-6 months apart) is 90% effective at preventing shingles. One in 3 people will get shingles in their lifetime, and the pain can last months. Most insurance covers it at age 50+.
Get pneumococcal vaccines at age 65+
Two types are recommended in sequence (PCV20 or PCV15 followed by PPSV23). Pneumonia kills 50,000 adults annually in the US. If you have diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease, discuss getting vaccinated before age 65.
Discuss low-dose aspirin and statin therapy with your doctor
Low-dose aspirin is now recommended only for select adults aged 40-59 with a 10-year cardiovascular risk above 10%. Statins may be recommended if your 10-year heart disease risk exceeds 10% or LDL cholesterol is above 190 mg/dL. Your doctor can calculate your risk in 5 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What health screenings do I need in my 40s?
In your 40s, annual screenings should include blood pressure, cholesterol (every 4-6 years if normal), fasting glucose or HbA1c for diabetes (every 3 years), and a skin exam. Women should continue annual mammograms starting at age 40 and Pap smears every 3-5 years. Both men and women should begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45. Consult your doctor for advice specific to your situation.
At what age should I start getting a colonoscopy?
The American Cancer Society recommends colorectal cancer screening starting at age 45 for average-risk adults. A colonoscopy every 10 years is the gold standard, but alternatives include a stool-based FIT test annually or Cologuard every 3 years. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, screening should start 10 years before the age your relative was diagnosed or at age 40, whichever is earlier.
Are annual blood tests necessary for healthy adults?
A basic annual panel including CBC, metabolic panel, lipid profile, and blood glucose catches early signs of diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, and heart disease risk. These conditions are often silent for years before symptoms appear. For adults over 50, adding thyroid function (TSH) and vitamin D levels is commonly recommended. The total cost with insurance is typically $0-$50 as a preventive service.
What cancer screenings are covered by insurance at no cost?
Under the ACA, preventive screenings covered at 100% include mammograms (annually starting at 40), Pap smears (every 3 years for ages 21-65), colonoscopy (starting at 45), lung cancer CT scan (annually for adults 50-80 with a 20 pack-year smoking history), and cervical HPV testing (every 5 years for ages 30-65). Prostate cancer screening (PSA test) coverage varies by plan.
How do I keep track of when my screenings are due?
Create a simple spreadsheet or use your phone calendar with annual recurring reminders for each screening. Many patient portals (MyChart, Epic) now send automated reminders when screenings are due. Schedule your annual physical in the same month each year and use that visit to review your entire screening timeline with your doctor. Getting everything done during your birthday month is a common memory strategy.