Health screenings include physical exams, blood tests, and other procedures that help diagnose diseases and chronic conditions before symptoms appear.
Health screenings are a proven way to detect and diagnose certain conditions early. Early diagnosis is important in improving prognosis, increasing treatment options, and reducing risks in later stages of a condition.
A healthcare provider can determine what screenings you need depending on your sex, age, health history, and other factors. Many health screenings are covered by insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare.
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 found in the body’s tissues. The body produces cholesterol and also receives it from food. Animal products that are high in fat are also high in cholesterol. Too much cholesterol is harmful because it can build up in the arteries, raising the risk of heart disease and stroke.
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. You shouldn’t eat or drink anything other than water for 8-12 hours before a cholesterol screening.
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).
If your blood pressure is high, 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. Monitoring blood pressure can detect high blood pressure. It can also reveal if your blood pressure is elevated but not yet considered hypertension. Knowing this can help you make lifestyle changes to lower the chance of developing hypertension.
Your healthcare provider may screen your blood pressure by taking a blood pressure reading during your annual physical. Other providers will likely take your blood pressure during other medical appointments, too. Hypertension is the most common chronic condition diagnosed during outpatient visits.
You can also measure your blood pressure at pharmacies that have digital blood pressure measurement machines or at home with your own blood pressure monitor.
3. Diabetes
Diabetes is a common chronic health condition that affects how the body uses and stores glucose (blood sugar) for energy. This condition is serious and 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.
Most adults don’t require regular diabetes screenings. Some adults may benefit from regular diabetes screenings 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.
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 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.
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. Do not wear deodorant on the day of your mammogram.
2. Cervical Cancer Screening
Two common cervical screening tests performed by a healthcare provider include HPV testing and a Pap smear. DNA-based HPV testing is becoming the more popular choice for cervical cancer screening because it’s considered more effective at detecting precancerous lesions and prevention.
During an HPV DNA test, your provider will remove cells from the cervix that will be examined to look for DNA from HPV. 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.
Similar to an HPV DNA test, a Pap smear is a procedure that 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 under a microscope to look for cell changes that indicate cervical cancer. A Pap smear can also diagnose viruses like human papillomavirus (HPV).
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.
A pap smear is usually part of a pelvic exam. You don’t need to prepare for this screening, and you can have it done even during your period.
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 U.S., 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.
4. Colorectal Cancer Screenings
Colorectal cancer screenings look for cancers of the colon and rectum, parts of your large intestine. There are two types of screenings for colorectal cancer: stool-based tests and visual procedural exams.
Stool-based tests are where the stool (poop) is tested for cancer cells. They occur every 1-3 three 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.
Your healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare for a colonoscopy. Plan not to eat solid foods during the day before your test. You’ll also be asked to take a laxative to clean out your colon.
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.
Because of this increased risk, 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.
The most common way to test a person’s bone density is with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). A DEXA scan uses a low-dose X-ray to measure mineral levels, like calcium, in your bones.
Your healthcare provider will scan your body while you lie down. The test takes a few minutes, and you do not need to prepare for it. If your bone density is too low, medications like bisphosphonates can help prevent and treat bone loss.
How often you have this test depends on your bone risk 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 through 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.
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.
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.
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 if you can get your blood pressure read at a pharmacy.
Talk with your healthcare provider about the cost. If you are concerned about affording them, ask about any health screenings conducted by your local public health department or community clinic. These 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.
Health screenings detect a disease or health condition before it causes symptoms. They can be critical for early diagnosis and treatment options.
Health screenings may include physical exams, blood tests, and imaging studies. Your provider may recommend screenings for conditions like heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes.
The health screenings you need depend on your age, sex, health history, and other factors. Talk with your healthcare provider about the right screening schedule for you.
