Preventive health screenings are key tests that find health problems early, when they’re easier to treat. These check-ups can save your life and help you stay healthy by catching diseases before you feel sick.

This guide covers the most important screenings you need at every age. You’ll learn what tests to get, when to get them, and why they matter. From simple blood pressure checks to cancer screenings, we’ll break down everything in plain English.

Why Preventive Health Screenings Matter

Think of preventive screenings like checking your car’s oil. You don’t wait for the engine to break down – you check it regularly to catch problems early. The same goes for your body.

Research shows that getting routine preventive care helps you stay well and catch problems early. According to the CDC, when doctors find diseases in the early stages, treatment works better and costs less.

Here’s what makes screenings so powerful:

Early Detection Saves Lives. Many serious diseases don’t show symptoms at first. By the time you feel sick, the problem might be harder to treat.

Prevention is Cheaper Than Treatment. Catching high blood pressure early costs much less than treating a heart attack later.

Peace of Mind. Regular screenings help you know you’re healthy or get help quickly if something’s wrong.

A major study of over 30 million US adults found that preventive services declined during 2020 but have since rebounded to nearly pre-pandemic levels. This shows how important these screenings are – even during a global health crisis, people made them a priority.

The Problem: Too Few People Get Screened

Only 8.5% of adults aged 35 and over received all recommended high-priority preventive services in 2015, according to Healthy People 2030. That means more than 9 out of 10 people are missing important health checks.

Common reasons people skip screenings include:

• Cost concerns
• No regular doctor
• Living far from health centers
• Not knowing what screenings they need
• Fear of finding something wrong

The good news? Most insurance plans must cover preventive screenings at no cost to you when done by in-network providers.

Essential Screenings for Your 20s and 30s

Your twenties and thirties set the foundation for lifelong health. Even if you feel great, some key screenings help you stay that way.

Blood Pressure Screening

The American Heart Association recommends blood pressure screening every two years starting at age 20. This simple test takes just minutes but catches a serious problem early.

Normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg or lower. High blood pressure has no symptoms but damages your heart and blood vessels over time.

Who needs it more often:

• People with diabetes or heart disease
• Those with family history of high blood pressure
• If your reading is higher than normal

You can get blood pressure checked at your doctor’s office, pharmacy, or grocery store machines. Just make sure the cuff fits your arm properly.

Cholesterol Testing

Together, the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association recommend cholesterol blood tests begin at age 20 and are repeated every four to six years.

This blood test checks your levels of:

• LDL (“bad” cholesterol) – Too much can clog arteries
• HDL (“good” cholesterol) – Helps remove bad cholesterol
• Triglycerides – Another type of fat in blood

High cholesterol has no symptoms, so testing is the only way to know your levels.

Diabetes Screening

While there are no strict guidelines about diabetes screening for people in their 20s and 30s without risk factors, it’s recommended for those with certain risk factors.

You should get tested if you have:

• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Family history of diabetes
• Are African American, Asian American, Mexican American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander

The test measures how well your body processes sugar. Catching pre-diabetes early means you can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

Eye Exams

The American Optometric Association recommends eye exams every two years between ages 19 and 40. Even if your vision seems fine, eye doctors can spot early signs of diseases like glaucoma.

Get yearly exams if you:

• Wear glasses or contacts
• Have diabetes or high blood pressure
• Take certain medications
• Have family history of eye disease

Dental Care

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research found that more than 90% of adults over age 20 have tooth decay. Regular cleanings and check-ups prevent bigger problems.

Most dentists recommend cleanings every six months. Don’t skip these – gum disease links to heart problems and other serious health issues.

Women’s Health Screenings

Pap Smears: Women ages 21 to 29 should get a pap test every three years. This test finds abnormal cells in the cervix that could turn into cancer.

Breast Health: While mammograms typically start later, learn how your breasts normally feel. Report any changes to your doctor right away.

Well-Woman Exams: These yearly visits cover overall reproductive health, birth control options, and STD testing.

Critical Screenings for Your 40s and 50s

Your forties and fifties are when many serious diseases can start showing up. This is when screenings become even more important.

Mammograms for Breast Cancer

According to American Cancer Society guidelines, women between ages 40 to 55 have the option to get a mammogram every year. Women ages 45–54 should get one every year.

Start earlier if you have:

• Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
• Known genetic mutations (like BRCA1 or BRCA2)
• Previous breast biopsies showing high-risk changes

Mammograms use X-rays to find breast cancer before you can feel a lump. When caught early, breast cancer treatment is much more successful.

Colonoscopy for Colon Cancer

According to American Cancer Society guidelines, starting at age 45, everyone should get a colonoscopy. This change from age 50 happened because colon cancer rates are rising in younger people.

How often: People at average risk for colorectal cancer should get a colonoscopy once every 10 years.

During this test, doctors look inside your colon for polyps (small growths) that could turn into cancer. They can remove polyps during the same procedure.

You might need earlier or more frequent screening if you have:

• Family history of colon cancer
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Previous polyps

Heart Disease Screening

As you get older, your risk for heart disease goes up. Several tests help catch problems early.

Cholesterol Testing: Men ages 45 to 65 and women ages 55 to 65 should get screened every one-to-two years. Anyone age 65 and older should get screened annually.

Blood Pressure: Anyone ages 40 and older should get screened every year.

Coronary Calcium Scan: According to the American Heart Association, CAC testing may be useful for people ages 40 – 55 with an estimated 10-year risk for developing heart disease. This CT scan looks for calcium deposits in heart arteries.

Diabetes Screening

Even if you felt fine in your younger years, diabetes risk increases with age. Regular testing becomes more important, especially if you have risk factors.

Essential Screenings for 50s and Beyond

Once you hit 50, several new screenings become important. This is also when many screenings need to happen more often.

Cancer Screenings Become Critical

Mammograms: Women ages 55 and over can switch to a mammogram every other year or continue yearly mammograms.

Colonoscopy: Continue every 10 years unless your doctor recommends more frequent screening.

Cervical Cancer: Women ages 30 to 65 can get a pap test alone every three years or a pap test and an HPV test every five years.

Prostate Cancer: Men ages 50 or over (or men 45 and older with high risk for prostate cancer) should discuss screening recommendations with their provider. The PSA blood test can detect prostate cancer, but screening decisions should be made with your doctor.

Lung Cancer: Yearly lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography is recommended for people who are 50 to 80 years old and either have a history of heavy smoking and smoke now, or have quit within the past 15 years.

Bone Health Screening

According to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women ages 65 and older and women ages 50 to 64 with certain risk factors, such as having a parent with a broken hip should get bone density testing.

The DEXA scan measures bone strength and can detect osteoporosis before you break a bone. You should have no more than one DEXA scan every two years.

Vision and Hearing

As you age, both vision and hearing can change. Regular check-ups help you maintain quality of life and safety.

Eye Exams: Become more important for detecting age-related conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts.

Hearing Tests: Help detect hearing loss early, when hearing aids work best.

Understanding Your Family Health History

Your family health history is a record of the diseases and health conditions in your family. You and your family members share genes. This information helps your doctor decide which screenings you need and when.

How to Gather Family History

Talk to your family. Write down the names of close relatives from both sides of your family—parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Include information on major medical conditions, causes of death, age at disease diagnosis, age at death, and ethnic background.

Key information to collect:

• Types of cancer and age at diagnosis
• Heart disease and stroke
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure and cholesterol
• Mental health conditions
• Any genetic disorders

Using Your Family History

If you have a family history of a chronic disease, like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or osteoporosis, you’re more likely to get that disease yourself.

This doesn’t mean you will definitely get the disease. It means you should:

• Start screenings earlier
• Get screened more often
• Make lifestyle changes to lower your risk
• Consider genetic counseling if appropriate

Your doctor can help you take steps to prevent certain health conditions and chronic diseases—or catch them early, when they’re easier to treat.

Cost and Insurance Coverage

One of the biggest barriers to getting preventive care is cost. The good news is that most insurance plans must cover these screenings.

What’s Covered Under the Affordable Care Act

Most health plans must cover a set of preventive services — like shots and screening tests — at no cost to you, according to Healthcare.gov. This includes plans available through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

Important details:

• These services are free only when delivered by a doctor or other provider in your plan’s network
• No copay or deductible required
• Must be for preventive care, not to diagnose existing symptoms

Medicare Coverage

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers preventive services. These help you stay healthy, detect health problems early, determine the most effective treatments, and prevent certain diseases.

Medicare covers most of the screenings discussed in this guide with no cost-sharing when done by approved providers.

What to Ask Your Insurance

Before getting any screening, call your insurance to confirm:

• Is the test covered as preventive care?
• Is the provider in your network?
• Do you need a referral?
• Are there any specific requirements?

Making Preventive Care a Habit

Getting all your recommended screenings might seem overwhelming. Here’s how to make it manageable.

Create a Personal Screening Schedule

Work with your primary care doctor to create a personalized screening schedule. They can help you prioritize based on your age, family history, and risk factors.

Tips for staying on track:

• Put screenings on your calendar like any other important appointment
• Schedule next year’s annual physical before you leave this year’s appointment
• Set phone reminders for when screenings are due
• Keep a record of when you had each test and when the next one is due

Combine Screenings When Possible

Some screenings can be done during the same visit:

• Blood pressure and cholesterol at your annual check-up
• Pap smear and breast exam at well-woman visits
• Eye exam and hearing test

Address Common Barriers

“I don’t have time”: Many screenings take just minutes. Some can be done during lunch breaks or on weekends.

“I’m scared of what they might find”: Remember that finding problems early makes them much easier to treat. Not knowing doesn’t make problems go away.

“I feel fine”: Most serious diseases don’t cause symptoms in early stages. Screenings catch problems before you feel sick.

“It’s too expensive”: Check with your insurance – most preventive screenings are covered at no cost.

What Happens After Screening

Getting screened is just the first step. Understanding your results and following up appropriately is equally important.

Normal Results

When results are normal, you can breathe easy until your next scheduled screening. Make sure you know when that should be.

Abnormal Results Don’t Always Mean Disease

Many screening tests have false positives – they suggest a problem when there isn’t one. This is why additional testing is often needed.

If you get abnormal results:

• Don’t panic
• Ask your doctor what the results mean
• Understand what follow-up tests are needed
• Get the recommended follow-up care promptly

Building a Healthcare Team

Having a good relationship with healthcare providers makes preventive care easier. Consider building relationships with:

• Primary care doctor for overall coordination
• Specialists as needed (cardiologist, gynecologist, etc.)
• Eye doctor and dentist
• Pharmacist for medication management

Final Thoughts

Preventive health screenings are one of the best investments you can make in your future. These simple tests can catch serious diseases early, when treatment works best and costs less.

The key is to start now, no matter what your age. Work with your healthcare provider to create a screening schedule that’s right for you. Don’t let cost, fear, or busy schedules keep you from taking care of your health.

Remember, prevention is always easier than treatment. A few hours spent on screenings each year can give you many more healthy years to enjoy with family and friends.

Ready to get started? Contact Yorktown Health in Vernon Hills today to schedule your preventive care visit. Our experienced team provides comprehensive primary care for adults and families, including all the screenings discussed in this guide. Don’t wait – your health is worth it.