One of the best ways to prevent an early death is to be screened for diseases that can be prevented or treated early

The following are general guidelines for medical testing and screening based on various sources, including groups of medical experts and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Keep in mind that there is no agreement among the medical community on what tests should be performed, how often, or if at all. And your own health and family history may suggest a different timetable. You and your doctor should discuss what’s best for you.

Cardiovascular Diseases

Blood pressure check: Periodic blood pressure screening is recommended for all people ages 21 and older. Some experts recommend a check every time you visit your doctor.

Cholesterol test: Periodic cholesterol screening is recommended by most groups for men between the ages of 35 and 65 and for women between the ages of 45 and 65. The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel II recommends testing at least once every five years for all adults ages 20 and older.

Electrocardiogram (EKG): Some experts recommend getting a baseline EKG at age 40 to use as a comparison with future EKGs.

Cancers

Breast cancer: The Task Force recommends screening every one to two years with mammography alone or mammography and an annual clinical breast exam for women ages 50 to 69. Most other groups now recommend that mammograms be given every one to two years beginning at age 40 and every year beginning at age 50. Also recommended are an annual clinical breast exam and monthly breast self-exams.
Cervical cancer: A Pap test at least once every three years is the recommendation for women who are sexually active or who are 18 years or older. The American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and American Academy of Family Physicians recommend annual tests but permit testing less frequently at the discretion of a physician after three or more annual tests have been normal.

Colorectal cancer: Virtually every group recommends regular screening for all people ages 50 and older. The American Cancer Society recommends an annual digital rectal exam beginning at age 40, an annual fecal occult blood test beginning at age 50, and sigmoidoscopy every three to five years beginning at age 50.

Prostate cancer: The American Cancer Society and the American Urological Association recommend an annual digital rectal exam beginning at age 40 and an annual prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test beginning at age 50. The digital rectal exam is limited in detecting cancer, however. And experts have not reached a consensus on the use of the PSA test (which measures levels of PSA in the blood) in accurately diagnosing cancer. The test fails to detect 20 percent of prostate cancers and cannot distinguish among prostate cancer and more benign prostate conditions.

Skin cancer: The American Cancer Society recommends monthly skin self-examinations for all adults and physician-administered skin examination every three years for people ages 20 to 39 and annually for people ages 40 and older.

Diabetes

Blood glucose test: The American Diabetes Association recommends a blood glucose test for people who are obese, have a family history of diabetes, are of African-American, Hispanic, or Native American ancestry have high blood pressure, have delivered a baby weighing more than nine pounds, or had gestational diabetes.