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    Medical Screenings You Should Not Skip, Plus a Couple You Might Not Need

    Post Date: September 2014
    Category:
    • Health Tips

     

     

    If you’re 65 or older, experts recommend certain medical screenings, even if you are healthy or feeling fine. Having these screenings can help you avoid potential health problems and catch possible issues early when they are easier to manage.  Below are medical screenings you shouldn’t skip after age 65:

     

    Screenings You Should Not Skip
    Test How often?
    Physical Exam Every year.
    Blood Pressure Screening Every year, more often if you have certain health conditions.
    Cholesterol Test Have your cholesterol checked if you have never been screened or if you have risk factors for heart disease. If your levels are normal, a re-check may be recommended after 5 years or as directed by your healthcare provider. If your cholesterol levels are abnormal or if you have certain health conditions, you may need to have it checked more often.
    Colon and Rectal Cancer Screening
    Different types of tests:
    Stool test
    Sigmoidoscopy + stool test
    Colonoscopy    		 Depends on type of test, and ranges from every year to every 10 years, until you turn 75.
    You may need a colonoscopy more often if you have certain risk factors.
    Dental Exam (and cleaning) Every year.
    Diabetes Screening  (fasting plasma glucose test) Every 3 years, and more often if you have risk factors.
    Eye Exam Every 1 to 2 years if you have vision problems or are at risk for glaucoma.
    Hearing Test Every year if you have symptoms of hearing loss.
    Lung Cancer Screening (low-dose computed tomography)   Discuss with your doctor if you’ve been smoking for 30 years and still smoke or quit within the past 15 years..
    Osteoporosis Screening (DEXA scan bone density test ) One time for women, and only for men with specific risk factors.
    Mammogram (women only) Every 1 to 2 years until age 75. If you are 75 or older, talk to your doctor about whether to have this screening.
    Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening  (men only) One time, only if you have smoked and are between 65-75 years old.

     

    And below are screenings that you might be able to skip, depending on your situation:

     

    Screenings You Might Not Need
    Test Recommendation
    Pelvic Exam and Pap Smear (women only) After age 65, most women may stop having Pap smears as long as they have had 3 negative tests within the past 10 years.
    PSA Test for Prostate Cancer (men only) No longer recommended as a screening test for all men; talk to your doctor about your specific risk factors

     

    And below are screenings that you might be able to skip, depending on your situation:

    These articles are not a substitute for medical advice, and are not intended to treat or cure any disease.  Advances in medicine may cause this information to become outdated, invalid, or subject to debate. Professional opinions and interpretations of scientific literature may vary.  Consult your healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, exercise, or medication regimen.

     

     

    Sources

     

    Medline Plus: Health Screening Men over 65
    http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007466.htm

     

     

    Medline Plus: Health Screening Women over 65
    http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007463.htm

     

     

    U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Health Screening Recommendations
    http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/BrowseRec/Index

     

     

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
    http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/

     

     

    These articles are not a substitute for medical advice, and are not intended to treat or cure any disease. Advances in medicine may cause this information to become outdated, invalid, or subject to debate. Professional opinions and interpretations of scientific literature may vary. Consult your healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, exercise, or medication regime.