Whether you’re in your 20s or your 60s, there are health screenings that everyone should consider getting done. Some of these should be done yearly or more often, whereas others might only need to be done once every few years.

• Dental exams: Even if you brush twice a day and floss daily, dental exams are recommended to help you avoid more serious problems like gum disease, tooth decay, and mouth infections. For many people, half-yearly dental exams and cleanings will be enough, but you may be asked to visit more or less often depending on your dental health.
• Blood pressure: Your blood pressure measures the amount of force exerted by blood as it moves through your blood vessels, like your arteries. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is when these values are usually high. It can increase your risk of developing heart disease or strokes, as well as other health problems. Most adults should get their blood pressure checked by a health care professional at least yearly.
• Sexual health: If you’re sexually active, you’ll want to get tested to avoid getting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). With many STIs, there aren’t any symptoms and you might pass it on or receive it from your partner without knowing. You should consider getting tested for STIs at least yearly if you’re under 30, but many people in other age groups can also be at risk. This can include if you’re noticing any symptoms, are having unprotected sex, if you have certain medical conditions like HIV, or if you have a new sexual partner.
• Eye exam: With many serious eye conditions, you won’t notice any symptoms until your condition has already progressed. Comprehensive eye exams done by optometrists check your eye health and help to treat and prevent serious eye conditions from developing. It’s recommended that most adults in Canada have a comprehensive eye exam done at least every 2 years, and more often if you have certain conditions or are over 65.
• Cervical cancer screening: Pap smears, and other tests, help check for cancer cells in your cervix. Cervical cancer screening is important as nearly all cases of cervical cancer can be preventable. If you have a cervix, you should get a Pap smear done every 3 years until you reach the age of 70.

Essential Health Screenings for Your 40s: Stay Ahead of Your Health

As you get into your 40s, your risk of developing certain health problems increases. Besides staying up to date with the health screenings below and others recommended by your primary care provider, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help to lower your risk of developing long-term health problems or manage them more effectively.

• Diabetes: As you get older, it can become harder for your body to make or use insulin, leading to high blood sugars and diabetes. If you have diabetes and your sugars aren’t well-controlled, it can put you at risk for long-term health problems like heart or kidney problems. It’s recommended that most adults get tested for type 2 diabetes at least every 3 years starting from age 40.
• Cholesterol: Much like with diabetes, keeping our cholesterol levels in check becomes harder as we get older. High cholesterol levels increase your risk of getting heart disease or experiencing a heart attack or stroke. While people at high risk will start screening earlier, your doctor will start testing your cholesterol levels at age 40 and at least once every 5 years after.
• Breast cancer: Similar to other cancers, your risk of developing breast cancer goes up with age. Mammograms, which use low doses of x-rays, can find breast cancers even when you don’t have symptoms or if you don’t feel any abnormal lumps. Some experts recommend breast cancer screening in your 40s, whereas others will suggest starting in your 50s. Regardless, mammograms should be done every 2 to 3 years.

Health Screenings to Consider for Your 50s

Entering your 50s is a pivotal time to focus on your health and wellbeing. Your risk of developing other types of cancers begin to rise and we start to take certain functions in our body, like our ability to hear, for granted. Staying on top of your health screenings will lower these risks and help you to continue living your life at its fullest.

• Hearing loss: Over time, our exposure to loud noises and other contributors like aging and health conditions, can cause hearing loss. Hearing loss can affect not only our ability to communicate with others, but it’s also been linked to loneliness, depression, and dementia. While some experts recommend hearing loss screening earlier, it’s important to get your hearing tested every 5 years beginning at age 50. After age 65, you’ll want to get your hearing tested more often.
• Colorectal cancer: As with other cancers, screening can help to catch colorectal cancers early and improve your chances of treating it successfully. These days, colorectal cancers are identified using stool sample tests and only require colonoscopies when further investigation is needed. Unless you’re at high risk, most people between 50 to 74 should get a stool test done every 2 years.
• Prostate cancer: Anyone with a prostate can be at risk of developing prostate cancer. A test called the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test uses your blood to measure your PSA levels, which are a substance made by the prostate. Depending on what your PSA levels are, your health care provider will let you know how often you should get screened.

Health Screenings to Help You Age Gracefully in Your 60s

As you approach your golden years, be sure to continue staying on top of your health screenings and focusing on caring for your health. People in their 60s are more likely to have problems with sleeping, aches and pain in their joints, getting sick more easily, and weaker bones. However, by staying proactive and attentive to your health, you can enjoy a vibrant and fulfilling life, embracing all the wonderful experiences that this stage has to offer.

• Bone mass density testing: During the aging process, our bones become weaker, causing changes in our height and posture. This can put you at a higher risk of fractures if you experience any severe falls. Thankfully, there’s many lifestyle changes that you can make to reduce this risk like getting enough vitamin D and calcium and doing exercises that can lower your risk of fractures. You’ll also want to do bone mass density (BMD) tests as recommended by your primary care provider to keep your bones healthy.
• Abdominal aortic aneurysms: Abdominal aortic aneurysms involve a weakening and bulging of the aorta, which is an artery that carries blood from your heart to your stomach. While they’re related to the aging process, they tend to be more common in men compared to women. Experts recommend that all men aged 65 should have an ultrasound exam to screen for this.

No matter your age, prioritizing health screenings can help catch problems earlier and lead to better outcomes, allowing you to enjoy each decade with vitality and confidence. Take these proactive steps as an investment in your long-term health, ensuring you can fully experience and appreciate the richness of life at every stage. Stay informed, stay proactive, and most importantly, stay healthy.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Stay-Ahead-of-the-Curve-Health-Screenings-for-Every-Age