Many serious health problems can develop quietly, without obvious warning signs.
By the time symptoms appear, a disease may already be more difficult to treat.
That is one reason doctors place so much emphasis on preventive health screenings, particularly as Americans get older.
From cancer and heart disease to osteoporosis and dangerous aneurysms, routine screening can sometimes uncover a problem before a patient realizes anything is wrong. Cancer screening, for example, can detect certain cancers at an earlier stage, when treatment may be more effective.
For adults in their 50s, 60s and beyond, knowing which tests to discuss with a doctor could make an important difference.
1. Blood Pressure Screening
High blood pressure is sometimes called a “silent” condition because people can have it without experiencing noticeable symptoms.
That makes a simple blood pressure check one of the most important routine screenings.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends blood pressure screening for adults 18 and older who have not already been diagnosed with hypertension. For adults 40 and older, as well as people at increased risk, annual screening is considered a reasonable approach.
If an office reading is elevated, doctors may recommend confirming the result through measurements taken at home or with an ambulatory monitor before diagnosing hypertension.
Keeping high blood pressure under control matters because persistently elevated blood pressure is associated with cardiovascular disease.
2. Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colon and rectal cancers can sometimes be detected before symptoms develop — and screening can even identify precancerous growths that can be removed before they become cancerous.
For people at average risk, colorectal cancer screening generally begins at age 45.
The USPSTF recommends screening all adults between ages 50 and 75 and also recommends screening adults ages 45 through 49.
There isn’t just one screening option. Depending on an individual’s circumstances, a doctor may recommend a colonoscopy or one of several stool-based tests.
A positive result from a non-colonoscopy screening test generally needs to be followed by a colonoscopy.
People with a family history of colorectal cancer, previous polyps or certain medical conditions may need a different screening schedule.
3. Mammograms for Breast Cancer
Breast cancer screening remains an important part of preventive care for women.
A mammogram can sometimes identify breast cancer before a lump can be felt or other symptoms develop.
The exact schedule can vary depending on age, health and which medical organization’s guidelines are being followed.
The American Cancer Society says women ages 40 through 44 should have the option of beginning annual mammograms. It recommends yearly mammograms from ages 45 through 54, while women 55 and older can transition to screening every two years or continue annual screening.
Women with certain genetic mutations, a strong family history or other high-risk factors may need additional testing or an earlier screening schedule.
4. Lung Cancer Screening for Current and Former Smokers
For longtime smokers, another screening deserves particular attention.
The USPSTF recommends annual low-dose CT lung cancer screening for adults ages 50 through 80 who have at least a 20 pack-year smoking history and either currently smoke or quit within the previous 15 years.
A “pack-year” measures smoking exposure. Smoking one pack of cigarettes every day for 20 years, for example, equals 20 pack-years.
Unlike a standard chest X-ray, low-dose computed tomography is specifically recommended for lung cancer screening in eligible high-risk adults.
People should talk with their doctor about their smoking history and whether they meet the criteria.
5. Osteoporosis Screening
Broken bones can have serious consequences later in life, particularly fractures involving the hip.
Osteoporosis weakens bones and can increase the likelihood of fractures. Screening can identify reduced bone density before a major fracture occurs.
Current USPSTF guidance recommends osteoporosis screening for women age 65 and older. Screening is also recommended for postmenopausal women younger than 65 who have one or more risk factors and are determined to be at increased risk.
For men, the USPSTF says there is currently insufficient evidence to determine the overall benefits and harms of routine osteoporosis screening.
Doctors can consider individual factors such as age, body weight, family history and medications when evaluating bone health.
6. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
This is one screening some older Americans may never have heard about.
An abdominal aortic aneurysm, commonly called an AAA, occurs when part of the body’s main artery becomes enlarged. A rupture can become a life-threatening emergency.
The USPSTF recommends a one-time ultrasound screening for men ages 65 through 75 who have ever smoked.
For men in that age range who have never smoked, screening may be selectively offered depending on individual circumstances.
Recommendations are different for women, making it important to discuss personal risk factors and family history with a healthcare provider rather than assuming everyone needs the test.
The screening itself is performed with an ultrasound and does not expose patients to radiation.
7. Prostate Cancer Screening
Prostate cancer screening is more complicated because medical experts do not recommend that every man automatically receive a PSA test.
Instead, the decision should involve a conversation about the potential benefits and risks.
The American Cancer Society recommends that men at average risk discuss prostate cancer screening with a healthcare provider beginning at age 50 if they are expected to live at least another 10 years.
For men at higher risk, that conversation may need to happen earlier. The ACS recommends beginning at age 45 for African American men and men with a father or brother who developed prostate cancer before age 65. Men with multiple close relatives diagnosed at an early age are advised to begin the discussion at age 40.
Men who decide to proceed with screening typically receive a prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, blood test.
Screening can have downsides, including false alarms, additional testing and detection of cancers that might never have caused serious harm. That is why an informed conversation with a physician is important.
8. Cervical Cancer Screening
Cervical cancer is another disease for which regular screening can make a major difference.
Screening can identify cervical cancer early and can also find precancerous changes that may be treated before cancer develops.
Depending on a woman’s age and medical history, screening may involve an HPV test, a Pap test or a combination of tests.
Women should ask their healthcare provider which method and screening interval apply to them, particularly because recommendations can change with age and previous test results.
Don’t Wait for Symptoms
One of the biggest misconceptions about preventive healthcare is that people only need to visit the doctor when something feels wrong.
Screening works differently.
The purpose is often to look for disease before symptoms appear. That can provide an opportunity to intervene earlier, when treatment may be simpler or more successful.
That becomes increasingly important as people enter their 50s, 60s and 70s.
However, more testing is not automatically better. Every screening test has potential benefits and drawbacks, and unnecessary testing can lead to false-positive results, anxiety, additional procedures and costs.
The Bottom Line
There is no single screening schedule that is right for every person.
Age is important, but so are family history, smoking history, biological sex, previous test results, medications and other individual risk factors.
At your next annual appointment, consider asking a simple question:
“Which health screenings am I due for based on my age and risk factors?”
That conversation could identify a screening you’ve overlooked — and catching a serious condition early could potentially save your life.
This article is for general informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Screening recommendations can vary based on individual circumstances. Talk with a qualified healthcare professional about which tests are appropriate for you.
