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An Ounce of Prevention
The general screening guidelines in the
chart below come from the American
Cancer Society, the American Heart
Association, the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control, the National Institutes
of Health, the U.S. Preventive Services
Task Force, and the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality.
Many of these screening guidelines
apply to healthy adults only.
People at high risk for certain
diseases may need earlier or more
frequent screenings. Talk to your
doctor to learn more about the type
and frequency of screenings best
suited to you.
| Pap smear |
Women, beginning at age 18 or upon becoming sexually active |
Every one to three years |
| Breast self-exam |
Women age 20 and older |
Every month |
| Breast clinical exam |
Women ages 20 to 39
Women age 40 and older |
Every three years
Every year |
| Mammogram |
Women age 40 and older |
Every year |
| Digital rectal exam |
Men age 50 and older |
Every year, after
discussion with doctor |
| Prostate-specific antigen test |
Men age 50 and older |
Every year, after
discussion with doctor |
| Fecal occult blood test |
Adults older than age 50 |
Every year |
| One of these three combinations: |
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
and digital rectal exam |
Adults older than age 50 |
Every five years |
OR: Colonoscopy
and digital rectal exam |
Adults older than age 50 |
Every 10 years |
| OR: Double-contrast barium enema and digital rectal exam |
Adults older than age 50 |
Every five to 10 years |
Cancer-related checkup,
including skin examination |
Adults ages 20 to 39
Adults age 40 and older |
Every three years
Every year |
| Blood pressure monitoring |
All adults |
At least every two years |
| Blood cholesterol measurement |
Adults age 20 and older |
Every five years |
Blood glucose test
to screen for diabetes |
Adults age 45 and older |
Every three years |
| Hearing and vision screening |
Adults age 65 and older |
Periodically |
| Glaucoma screening — eye exam with dilated pupils |
All adults age 60 and older |
Every two years |
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