Stay proactive about your health with recommended routine screenings for women and men. This quick-reference guide, provided by Atchison County Health Department, highlights key preventive screenings that can help detect health concerns early and support lifelong wellness. Consult your primary physician to determine the screenings that are right for you.
WOMEN
Mammography
Women aged 40 to 75 should have a mammogram every 1 to 2 years, depending on their risk factors.
Blood Pressure Screening
Women should have their blood pressure tested every 2 years. Yearly screening should be undertaken if blood pressure exceeds 140/90. Women with diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems or certain other conditions should be checked more often.
Cholesterol Screening
This testing should begin between the ages of 40 and 45. Women with normal cholesterol should be retested every 5 years.
Diabetes Screening
After the age of 45, women should be screened every 3 years. Women who are overweight or have blood pressure above 140/80 should be tested earlier and/or more frequently.
Osteoporosis Screening
A perimenopausal bone mineral density test (DEXA scan) of hip and lumbar spine should be undertaken by women over 50 with fractures or a risk of fractures. All women should have a bone density test done at least once at age 65 or older.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Women under 50 should be screened if they have a family history of colon cancer or polyps, or other risk factors. Women between 50 and 75 should be screened regularly with one of the following tests:
• Fecal occult blood (blood based) test every year
• Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year
• Stool DNA test every 3 years
• Double contrast barium enema every 5 years
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years
• Colonoscopy every 10 years.
Cervical Cancer Screening
Women in their 20s should have a pap smear every 3 years. Between the ages of 40 to 65 women should have a pap and HPV test every 5 years, or a pap test alone every 3 years.
MEN
Blood Pressure Screening
Men should undergo this screening every 2 years; annual screening should be done if blood pressure exceeds 140/90. Men with diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems or other conditions should have their blood pressure checked more often.
Cholesterol Screening
At the age of 40, men with normal cholesterol levels should be tested every 5 years. Cholesterol should be tested more often in men with high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, or kidney problems.
Diabetes Screening
Beginning at the age of 45, men should be screened every 3 years. Men who are overweight or have blood pressure above 140/80 should be tested earlier and/or more frequently.
Osteoporosis Screening
Men between 50 and 70 with risk factors for osteoporosis should discuss screening with their physician.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Men under 50 with a family history of colon cancer, polyps or other risk factors should be screened. All men between 50 and 75 should be screened regularly with one of the following tests:
• Fecal occult blood (Stool-based) test every year
• Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year
• Stool DNA test every 3 years
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years.
• Double contrast barium enema every 5 years.
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years.
• Colonoscopy every 10 years.
Prostate Cancer Screening
At age 50, men should discuss screening with their doctor. Prostate exams are no longer routinely performed on men without symptoms. However, for those who choose to be tested, the PSA blood test is done every year. Beginning at age 40, a yearly digital rectal exam is recommended.
