Screening tests are a key to managing your health. A screening test is done to find problems 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 40 to 49. Talk with your doctor to stay up-to-date.
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Screening
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Who needs it
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How often
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Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
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All those in this age group
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At least every 3 years
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Type 2 diabetes
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All those with prediabetes
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Every year
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Alcohol misuse
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All those in this age group
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At routine exams
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Blood pressure
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All those in this age group
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Once a year if your blood pressure is normal. Normal 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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Breast cancer
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All those at average risk in this age group. Expert groups vary on their advice. Talk with your doctor.
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Talk with your doctor to help you decide when to start mammogram screening.
- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises mammograms every other year starting at age 40.
- The American Cancer Society advises that those ages 40 to 44 have the choice to start yearly mammograms. They advise yearly mammograms for those ages 45 to 54.
Everyone should know how their breasts normally look and feel.
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Screening
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Who needs it
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How often
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Cervical cancer
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All those in this age group, unless they have had a complete hysterectomy
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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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Colorectal cancer
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Those ages 45 years and older at average risk
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Talk with your doctor about which test is right for you:
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
- Colonoscopy every 10 years
- CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years
- Yearly fecal occult blood test
- Yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
- Stool DNA test every 3 years
If you have a test that is not a colonoscopy and have an abnormal test result, you will need a colonoscopy.
You may need to be screened more or less often. This is based on personal or family health history. Talk with your doctor.
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Screening
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Who needs it
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How often
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Chlamydia
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Those at higher risk
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At routine exams if you're at risk or have symptoms
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Depression
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All those in this age group
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At routine exams
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Gonorrhea
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Sexually active people at higher risk
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At routine exams
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Hepatitis C
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Those in this age group at higher risk
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At routine exams
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High cholesterol or triglycerides
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All those ages 45 and older who are at risk for coronary artery disease. Those who are younger should talk with their doctor.
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At least every 5 years
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HIV
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All those in this age group
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At routine exams. Those with risk factors for HIV should be tested at least 1 time a year.
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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. Ask your doctor.
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At routine exams
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Tuberculosis
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Those who are at higher risk
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Ask your doctor
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Vision
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All those in this age group
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Full exam at age 40. Then eye exams every 2 to 4 years. If you have a chronic disease, ask your doctor how often you need an eye exam.
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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
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Those with 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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Domestic violence
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All those in this age group
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At routine exams
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Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention
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Those who are at higher risk. Talk with your doctor.
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At routine exams
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Use of tobacco
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All those in this age group
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Every exam
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