✅ Why Preventive Care Matters
Regular preventive screenings can detect diseases years before symptoms appear, when they're most treatable and often curable. Early detection saves lives—and saves money.
Jump to Your Age Group
Regular preventive screenings catch diseases early when they're most treatable
Preventive care is your best defense against serious illness. This comprehensive checklist outlines exactly which screenings, tests, and vaccinations you need at every stage of life—based on recommendations from the CDC, American Cancer Society, and major medical organizations.
💡 How to Use This Checklist
- 1. Find your age group below
- 2. Review recommended screenings and tests
- 3. Schedule appointments for any overdue screenings
- 4. Save this page as a reference for future check-ups
- 5. Discuss your personal risk factors with your doctor
1 Ages 18-39: Young Adults
Even if you feel healthy, establishing baseline health metrics now helps track changes over time and catch problems early.
📋 Annual Check-Up (Every Year)
Blood Pressure
Check annually; more often if elevated (>120/80)
BMI & Weight
Track healthy weight and discuss nutrition concerns
Skin Check
Self-exam monthly; doctor exam if high sun exposure
🩺 Periodic Screenings
Cholesterol Screening
Every 4-6 years starting at age 20; more often if at risk
⚠️ Test earlier if family history of heart disease
Diabetes Screening
Every 3 years if overweight/obese or at risk
Risk factors: family history, PCOS, sedentary lifestyle
Dental Exam
Every 6 months for cleaning and check-up
Eye Exam
Every 2 years, or annually if you wear glasses/contacts
More frequent if diabetes or family history of glaucoma
👩⚕️ Women's Health Screenings
Pap Smear
Every 3 years (ages 21-29) or Pap + HPV test every 5 years (30-39)
Clinical Breast Exam
Every 1-3 years starting at age 25; discuss with doctor
STI Screening
Annually if sexually active; discuss with doctor
💉 Recommended Vaccinations
Flu Shot
Annually, every fall
COVID-19
As recommended by CDC
Tdap Booster
Every 10 years
HPV Vaccine
Up to age 26 (3 doses)
2 Ages 40-49: Early Midlife
Your 40s are a critical decade for preventive care. Many chronic diseases begin developing now, but early detection dramatically improves outcomes.
⚠️ NEW Screenings Starting at Age 40
- • Mammogram: Annual breast cancer screening for women
- • Diabetes screening: Every 3 years for everyone
- • Cardiovascular risk assessment: Especially if risk factors present
✅ Continue All Screenings from Ages 18-39, Plus:
Blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI, dental, eye exams, Pap smear (women), vaccinations
🎗️ Mammogram (Women)
Starting at age 40: Annual mammograms for breast cancer screening
High Risk? Start earlier if family history of breast cancer. Consider genetic testing (BRCA1/BRCA2).
💰 USRad Pricing: Screening mammograms from $99
🩸 Diabetes Screening
Every 3 years: Hemoglobin A1C or fasting glucose test
Risk Factors: Overweight, sedentary lifestyle, family history, PCOS, gestational diabetes history
📊 Heart Health Assessments
Cholesterol Panel
Every 4-6 years; annually if high cholesterol or on medication
Blood Pressure
Annually; more often if elevated or on medication
Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
Discuss 10-year risk score with doctor if you have risk factors
3 Ages 50-64: Midlife
The 50s mark the beginning of age-related cancer screenings. These tests can save your life by catching cancers at their most treatable stages.
⚠️ CRITICAL New Screenings at Age 50
- • Colonoscopy: Colorectal cancer screening starting at age 45-50
- • Lung cancer screening: If you're a current or former smoker
- • Shingles vaccine: Starting at age 50
✅ Continue All Previous Screenings, Plus:
Blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, mammogram (women), dental, eye exams, vaccinations
Colonoscopy
Critical for colorectal cancer prevention
When to Start
Age 45 for average risk; earlier if family history or symptoms
Frequency
Every 10 years if normal; more often if polyps found
Alternative Tests
Cologuard (stool DNA test) every 3 years, or FIT test annually
📊 Impact: Colonoscopy reduces colorectal cancer deaths by 68%
👨⚕️ Men's Health: Prostate Screening
PSA Test (Prostate-Specific Antigen)
Discuss with doctor starting at age 50 (or age 40-45 if high risk)
High risk: African American men or family history of prostate cancer
Important: PSA screening has both benefits and risks. Discuss shared decision-making with your doctor.
🫁 Lung Cancer Screening
Low-Dose CT Scan
Annual screening for ages 50-80 if you meet criteria
Who Should Screen:
- • 20+ year smoking history
- • Current smoker or quit within past 15 years
💰 USRad Pricing: Lung cancer screening CT from $199
🔬 Additional Age 50+ Screenings
Bone Density (Women)
Consider at age 50 if risk factors; routine at 65
Hepatitis C Test
One-time screening for baby boomers (born 1945-1965)
Skin Cancer Screening
Annual full-body exam by dermatologist
Hearing Test
Baseline at age 50, then as needed
💉 Vaccinations Ages 50-64
Shingles Vaccine (Shingrix)
2 doses starting at age 50
Flu Shot
Annually
COVID-19
As recommended
Tdap Booster
Every 10 years
4 Ages 65+: Older Adults
Regular screenings remain important throughout your senior years. Focus shifts to maintaining quality of life and managing chronic conditions.
⚠️ NEW Screenings & Tests at Age 65
- • Bone density scan: Routine screening for osteoporosis
- • Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening: One-time for men who smoked
- • Fall risk assessment: Annually
- • Pneumonia vaccine: Two different vaccines
✅ Continue Age-Appropriate Screenings
Blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, colonoscopy, mammogram (women through age 75), vaccinations
Note: Some screenings may be stopped after age 75 depending on life expectancy and overall health. Discuss with your doctor.
🦴 Bone Density Scan (DEXA)
For Women
Routine screening at age 65; repeat every 2 years
For Men
Screening at age 70, or earlier if risk factors
Why Important: Detects osteoporosis to prevent fractures. Fractures in older adults can be life-threatening.
💰 USRad Pricing: DEXA bone density scans from $149
🫀 Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening
Ultrasound Screening
One-time screening for men ages 65-75 who have ever smoked
Also consider for women 65-75 who have smoked or have family history
Why Critical: AAA rupture is often fatal. Early detection allows for monitoring or preventive surgery.
👁️👂 Vision & Hearing
Eye Exam
Annually, including:
- • Glaucoma screening
- • Cataract check
- • Macular degeneration screening
- • Diabetic retinopathy (if diabetic)
Hearing Test
Annually or when changes noticed
Hearing loss affects 1 in 3 adults over 65
🏥 Functional Health Assessments
Fall Risk Assessment
Annually - includes balance, gait, and strength tests
Cognitive Screening
As needed if memory concerns
Medication Review
Annually - review all medications with doctor
💉 Vaccinations Ages 65+
Pneumonia Vaccines
PCV20 (one dose) OR PCV15 + PPSV23
High-Dose Flu Shot
Annually - stronger dose for seniors
Shingles (Shingrix)
If not done at age 50
COVID-19
As recommended for seniors
Tdap Booster
Every 10 years
RSV Vaccine
New recommendation - discuss with doctor
💰 Save on Preventive Screenings with USRad
Many preventive screenings like mammograms, CT scans, and DEXA scans are 70-80% cheaper at USRad compared to hospitals—with no insurance required.
Screening Mammogram
$99
vs $300-600 at hospitals
Lung Cancer CT Screening
$199
vs $800-1,200 at hospitals
DEXA Bone Density Scan
$149
vs $400-700 at hospitals
📋 Your Personal Screening Schedule
Print or save this checklist to track your preventive care
Annual Screenings
- Blood pressure check
- Flu vaccine
- Dental cleaning
- Eye exam (if needed)
- Skin check
Age-Specific Screenings
- Colonoscopy (age 45+)
- Mammogram (women 40+)
- Pap smear (women 21-65)
- Bone density (women 65+)
- PSA test (men 50+, discuss)
About the USRad Healthcare Team
This checklist was developed by our team of preventive medicine specialists, primary care physicians, and radiologists. We're committed to helping you stay healthy through evidence-based preventive care.
Schedule Your Preventive Screenings Today
Don't wait. Early detection saves lives. Get affordable screenings at USRad—no insurance required.
Call us: 1-866-USRad-24 • Mon-Fri 8am-8pm EST
