Screening tests and health counseling are a key part of managing your health. A screening test is done to find disorders or diseases in people who don't have any symptoms. Screening tests are not used to diagnose. They are used to find out if more testing is needed. The goal may be to find a disease early so it can be treated with more success. Or the goal may be to find a disease early so you can make lifestyle changes. You may need regular checkups to help you reduce your risk of disease.
Below are guidelines for those ages 18 to 39. Guidelines for some conditions can vary by expert group depending on age, risk, and other factors. Talk with your doctor. Make sure you're up-to-date on what you need.
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Screening
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Who needs it
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How often
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Alcohol misuse
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All adults
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At routine exams
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Blood pressure
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All adults
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Once a year if your blood pressure is normal. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg. If your blood pressure is higher than this, follow the advice of your doctor.
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Cervical cancer
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Guidelines vary depending on expert group.
Screening varies depending on your age and risk. Talk with your doctor.
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American Cancer Society advises screening starting at age 25, if you are at average risk. Talk with your doctor about your risk.
A primary human papillomavirus (HPV) test every 5 years, a cotest (an HPV test with a Pap test) every 5 years, or a Pap test every 3 years. In some cases, you may be able to collect your own HPV test sample and be tested every 3 years. Talk with your doctor about your risks and whether you need screening more often.
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Chlamydia
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Those who are sexually active. This includes those who are pregnant or who are:
- Age 24 or younger
- Age 25 or older and at higher risk for infection
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At routine yearly exams
If pregnant, during early prenatal care visit. Repeat in third trimester for those at higher risk.
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Screening
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Who needs it
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How often
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Depression
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All those in this age group
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Regularly, which may be at routine exams
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Diabetes mellitus, type 2
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Those with no symptoms who are overweight or who have obesity and have one or more other risk factors for diabetes
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At least every 3 years starting at age 35. Testing in pregnancy after the 24th week unless higher risk factors are present.
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Gonorrhea
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Those who are sexually active. This includes those who are pregnant or who are:
- Age 24 or younger
- Age 25 or older and at higher risk for infection
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At routine yearly exams
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Hepatitis C
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All adults
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At least once
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HIV
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All adults
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Talk with your doctor. The CDC recommends testing at least once for all people between age 13 and 64. For others at risk, testing may be advised yearly.
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Obesity
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All those in this age group
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At routine exams
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Syphilis
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Those who are at higher risk for infection. Talk with your doctor.
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Depends on risk and pregnancy status. Anyone who is pregnant will be screened during their first prenatal visit. Those who are not pregnant will be screened if at increased risk.
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Tuberculosis
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Those who are at higher risk for infection. Talk with your doctor.
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Depends on risk. Talk with your doctor.
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Vision
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All those in this age group
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At least every 2 years for those at low risk. Those at increased risk may be advised to be tested yearly.
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Health counseling
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Who needs it
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How often
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BRCA gene mutation testing for breast and ovarian cancer risk
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Those at higher risk for a gene mutation
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When your risk is known
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Breast cancer and chemoprevention
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Those at high risk for breast cancer
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When your risk is known
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Diet and exercise
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Those who are overweight or who have obesity
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When diagnosed, and then at routine exams
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Intimate partner violence
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Everyone in this age group
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Regularly, which may be at routine exams or by situation
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Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention
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Those who are sexually active
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At routine exams
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Skin cancer
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Those with pale skin
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At routine exams
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Use of tobacco and the health effects it can cause
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Everyone in this age group
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Regularly at routine visits
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