Screenings for men and women 65+

Most physical exams and checkups include blood pressure tests. These screenings measure the force or pressure in your arteries as your heart pumps. Adults over 65 should have a blood pressure test, or hypertension screening, every year.

Blood tests provide insight into your overall health and help physicians detect disease and medical issues. Typically, adults over 40 should undergo annual blood testing. Common blood tests check for cholesterol levels, vitamin deficiencies, metabolic panels and blood disorders. If you have certain health issues, such as hypertension or diabetes, your physician may recommend more frequent blood tests.

Your provider may perform a pulse oximetry test as part of a routine examination (measures if the blood is well oxygenated). You may also receive this test if you have symptoms such as shortness of breath or a condition affecting your breathing – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, heart failure or COVID-19.

Regular mammograms can help detect breast cancer in its early stages, when it’s most treatable. For women over 65, discuss breast cancer screening options with your physician. They may recommend that you continue receiving mammograms every one to two years.

The Pap test, or Pap smear, and human papillomavirus (HPV) test are both performed to prevent and detect cervical cancer. Most women over 65 do not need Pap testing if they have a history of normal Pap test, or Pap smear, results. However, in some cases these tests are recommended. Speak to your provider to make sure you’re receiving all the preventive screenings you need.

Colonoscopies are often used to detect precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer. The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommends annual screenings for men and women aged 50 to 75. If you’re over 75, your provider may or may not advise you to undergo a colonoscopy, depending on your overall health.

If you’re a man between the ages of 65 and 70, discuss the potential benefits and risks of prostate cancer screenings with your healthcare provider. While there is no way to tell if your prostate is healthy without screenings, such as digital rectal exams and PSA blood-level exams, you and your physician should determine the best option for you. Regular prostate exams are not generally recommended for men over 70.

Healthcare providers often use dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scans to measure bone density, which can help detect osteoporosis. Regular bone density tests are recommended for women over 65 and for some men over 65.

Annual lung cancer screenings using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) are recommended for people aged 50 to 80 with a 20 pack-year smoking history who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. (A pack-year describes the number of cigarettes smoked in a lifetime. If you have smoked a pack a day for the last 20 years or two packs a day for the last 10 years, you have 20 pack-year history.) Physician referral needed.

Your provider may or may not recommend a professional skin exam every one to three years. Their recommendation will depend on your risk factors. People at high risk of skin cancer often have red or blonde hair, fair skin, several moles, a family or personal history of skin cancer or are frequently exposed to the sun. Please let your doctor know if you notice potential signs of skin cancer, such as new moles or ones that have changed in appearance.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) often grows slowly without noticeable symptoms, making them difficult to detect. In some cases, AAAs require emergency surgery, so it’s important to screen for them when appropriate. Your provider may recommend an AAA screening if you are between 65 and 75 and have a history of tobacco use or a family history of AAA.

The cardiac calcium scoring test measures the calcified plaque in your coronary arteries, helping doctors determine your risk for heart disease or heart attack. This simple, 10-minute test is recommended for men and women over 65 and those with certain risk factors, like high cholesterol or blood pressure, smoking, diabetes or a family history of stroke or heart disease.