When it comes to your health, staying ahead is everything. Preventive screenings can catch issues early, give you peace of mind, and empower you to make informed decisions. But knowing which tests you need and when you need them can feel confusing and overwhelming. While these decade-by-decade guidelines are not one-size fits all, it is a great place to start the conversation with your care provider and pharmacist.
In Your 20s
Start Building Your Health Foundation
Your 20s are a great time to establish healthy habits and baseline screenings.
Key Screenings
Blood Pressure: At least once every 2 years (every year if elevated).
Cholesterol panel: Once in your early 20s. Repeat every 4–6 years unless you have risk factors.
Pap Smear & HPV Test: Pap smear every 3 years starting at 21, or Pap + HPV co-testing every 5 years starting at age 30.
STD Screenings: Annually if sexually active or higher risk.
Skin Check: Self-exams monthly; clinical exam every 1–2 years if you’re high risk.
Mental Health Screening: Depression and anxiety assessments as needed.
Vaccines
Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) booster every 10 years
HPV vaccine series (if not completed earlier)
Annual flu shot
In Your 30s
Prevention Becomes Priority
Life gets busy in your 30s. It’s the time when many people are beginning careers and/or families, and taking on more responsibilities. Your health should stay a top priority.
Key Screenings
Blood Pressure: Every 1–2 years
Cholesterol Panel: Every 4–6 years, more often if elevated
Blood Glucose/A1C: Begin screening if you have risk factors (family history, weight concerns, PCOS)
Pap + HPV Test: Every 5 years
Skin Check: As recommended
Dental & Eye Exams: Dental twice a year, eye exam every 2–3 years
Vaccines
Tdap, flu annually
Consider MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) or varicella (chicken pox) if not immune
In Your 40s
Detecting Changes Early
Your 40s are when some age-related risks begin to rise.
Key Screenings
Blood Pressure: Every year
Cholesterol Panel: Every 4–6 years (earlier/more often with risk factors)
Diabetes Screening: Every 3 years starting at 45; earlier if higher risk
Mammogram: Start at age 40 (frequency varies: yearly or every 2 years depending on guidance and risk)
Pap + HPV Test: Every 5 years
Colonoscopy (if high-risk): Some people with family history begin screening before 45
Eye Exam: Every 2 years
Vaccines
Flu annually
Consider shingles vaccine if your provider recommends early (typically starts at 50)
In Your 50s
Major Screening Milestones
This decade is all about catching things early, when they’re most treatable.
Key Screenings
Blood Pressure: Every year
Cholesterol Panel: Every 1–2 years
Diabetes Screening: Every 3 years
Colonoscopy: Begin at age 45; repeat every 10 years (or as directed based on findings)
Mammogram: Every year or every 2 years
Bone Density Test: Begin at age 50 if high risk or menopausal
Prostate Screening: Discuss PSA testing with your provider starting around 50
Lung Cancer Screening: Annual low-dose CT if you’re 50–80 and have a significant smoking history
Vaccines
Shingles (Shingrix): Two-dose series starting at age 50
Flu annually
Pneumococcal (pneumonia): Depending on risk factors
In Your 60s
Monitoring What Matters
Prevention and early detection remain essential as certain risks naturally increase with age.
Key Screenings
Blood Pressure: Every year
Cholesterol Panel: Every 1–2 years
Colonoscopy: At least every 10 years until age 75
Bone Density Test: Start at 65 for women; men may need screening if at risk
Hearing Test: Every 1–3 years
Vision Exam: Every 1–2 years
Mammogram: Continue every 1–2 years
Prostate Screening: As recommended based on risk and health status
Vaccines
Flu annually
Pneumococcal vaccines
Shingles vaccine (if not already completed)
In Your 70s and Beyond
Staying Proactive
At this stage, screenings help maintain quality of life and allow for early treatment of age-related changes.
Key Screenings
Blood Pressure: At least once a year
Cholesterol Panel: As advised
Colonoscopy: Continue until age 75; sometimes later depending on health
Bone Density Test: Every 2 years
Hearing & Vision Tests: Yearly
Cognitive Screening: Periodic assessments for memory or mood changes
Vaccines
Continue annual and age-specific vaccines, including flu and pneumococcal boosters.
Why These Tests Matter
Preventive care isn’t just about catching illness. It’s also about:
living longer and healthier;
reducing medical costs;
avoiding emergency health events;
creating a baseline for your future health; and
staying empowered and informed.
The best part? You don’t have to navigate preventive care alone. Your healthcare provider can help you customize a screening plan based on your personal and family history.
Your health needs change with every decade, and your preventive screenings should too. Staying on track doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Revan Health provides welcoming, respectful family medicine for all from infants to geriatrics. We understand the pain and frustration that comes with not feeling heard by your family care provider. We believe access to respectful care is key to improving medicine adherence and overall life satisfaction for our patients. Like us on Facebook or visit us at revanhealth.com.