Why are yearly check ups important?
Regular checkups are beneficial for people of all ages. It can help identify potential issues before they start, and early detection of illnesses will often lead to more treatment options.
Annual exam reviews family history, vital signs, heart, and lung health, as well as a full physical check. Many doctors will also order blood work.
What tests should I be getting?
- Mammogram
Ages 45-50:Â It is recommended that women start breast cancer screening between the ages of 45 and 50.
Ages 50-74: Most women continue yearly breast cancer screening with mammography; however, some women choose to screen every other year.
- Colorectal Cancer Screening
Men and women should start regular screening at age 45. People who are high risk may need to start screening before age 45. People who are in good health should continue regular screenings through age 75. After age 75, most people no longer need to continue routine screening.
Stool Based tests yearly or every 3 years depending on type of stool-based test.
Visual exams of colon and rectum-Â Colonoscopy every 10 years, or CT colonography every 5 years, or Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years.
- Cervical Cancer Screening
Cervical cancer screening should start at age 21.
Women aged 21-29 should be screened every 3 years with a pap smear. Women aged 30-65 are most commonly screened every 5 years with a pap smear combined with HPV testing.
Age 65 and over who have had regular cervical cancer testing in the past 10 years with normal or negative results should not be tested for cervical cancer. Your most recent test should be within the past 3-5 years. People who have had a total hysterectomy should stop testing unless the surgery was done to treat a cervical cancer or serious precancer.
If a test ever returns abnormal, this will change the screening recommendations as above and you may need to be screened more frequently, for longer, or require referral to Gynecology for treatment.
HPV is a virus that causes cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine is recommended to protect against the strains that most commonly cause cervical cancer. However, even if you have had the HPV vaccine you still need routine cervical cancer screening.
- Prostate Cancer Screening
Deciding to screen for prostate cancer is an individual one. Screening is done through a blood test called a PSA. Screening for prostate cancer can help detect the cancer earlier. When the PSA is elevated, this can be due to prostate cancer. However, the PSA is not a perfect test and can often be elevated for other reasons. When this is the case, it can sometimes lead to unnecessary procedures and treatments. Men aged 50-69 should have a discussion with their primary care provider about the risks vs benefits of screening for prostate cancer.
- Lung Cancer Screening (people at high risk)
- Low Dose CT (LDCT) scan is used to screen people at higher risk for lung cancer (mainly because they smoke or used to smoke).
- Recommended yearly for people aged 50-80 who smoke or quit smoking in the past 15 years AND have at least a 20 pack-year history. (A pack-year is equal to smoking 1 pack per day for a year) For example, a person could have a 20 pack-year history by smoking 1 pack a day for 20 years, or by smoking 2 packs a day for 10 years.
- Screening for Osteoporosis
- It is recommended that women 65 and older be screened for osteoporosis with DEXA scan to help identify those in need of treatment to prevent fractures.
- Some postmenopausal women should be screened younger than 65 if they are at increased risk.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening
- Men aged 65-75 who have ever smoked should have a one-time ultrasound to screen for AAA.
- Lifestyle Recommendations
- Diet: You should cook at home for most meals. Diet should include a healthy mix of fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. For those interested in personalized recommendations, a registered dietician is available at Pokagon Health Services.
- Exercise: You should aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. Examples of this include brisk walking, biking, swimming, and yard work. Strength training twice per week is also recommended.
- If you choose to drink alcohol, it should be consumed in moderation:
- One "standard drink" is defined as 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80 proof liquor.
- Females: ≤7 drinks per week with no more than 3 drinks on any given day
- Males:  ≤14 drinks per week with no more than 4 drinks on any given day