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Seniors

Seniors

More frequent preventive-care services are generally recommended for adults 50 and older, including screenings for breast cancer, cervical cancer, osteoporosis, colorectal cancer and prostate cancer. Vaccines to protect against influenza and pneumococcal disease are also recommended. Talk to your doctor about what is recommended for your age and family history.

Screenings & Immunizations

This chart offers guidelines only. Your doctor or nurse will personalize the timing of each test and immunization to meet your health care needs.

Ages: 50-64

Screening Tests Recommendations
General Health
Full checkup, including weight and height.		 Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Thyroid test (TSH) Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) test		 Get this test at least once to find out your HIV status. Ask your doctor if and when you need the test again.
Heart Health
Blood pressure test		 At least every 2 years.
Cholesterol test Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Bone Health
Bone density screening		 Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Diabetes
Blood glucose test		 Every 3 years.
Breast Health
Mammogram (X-ray of breast)		 Every 1-2 years; discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Clinical breast exam Yearly.
Prostate Health
Digital rectal exam (DRE)		 Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Reproductive Health
Pap test		 Every 3 years.
Reproductive Health
Testicular exam		 Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Pelvic exam Yearly.
Chlamydia test Get this test if you have new or multiple partners.
Sexually transmitted Infection (STI) tests Both partners should get tested for STIs, including HIV, before initiating sexual intercourse.
Mental Health Screening Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Colorectal Health (use 1 of these 3 methods)
Fecal occult blood test		 Yearly.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy (with fecal occult blood test) Every 5 years.
Colonoscopy Every 10 years.
Eye and Ear Health
Comprehensive eye exam		 Every 2-4 years or as your doctor advises.
Hearing test Every 3 years.
Skin Health
Mole exam		 Monthly mole self-exam; by a doctor as part of a routine full checkup.
Oral Health
Dental exam		 Routinely; discuss with your dentist.
Immunizations
Influenza vaccine		 Yearly.
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP) booster vaccine Every 10 years.
Herpes zoster vaccine Starting at age 60, one time only. Ask your doctor or nurse if it is OK for you to get it.

Ages: 65 and Older

Screening Tests Recommendations
General health
Full checkup, including weight and height.		 Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Thyroid test (TSH) Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) test		 Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Heart Health
Blood pressure test		 At least every 2 years.
Cholesterol test Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Bone Health
Bone density screening		 Get a bone mineral density test at least once. Talk to your doctor or nurse about repeat testing.
Diabetes
Blood glucose test		 Every 3 years.
Breast Health
Mammogram (X-ray of breast)		 Every 1-2 years; discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Clinical breast exam Yearly.
Prostate Health
Digital rectal exam (DRE)		 Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Reproductive Health
Pap test		 Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Pelvic exam Yearly.
Chlamydia test Get this test if you have new or multiple partners.
Sexually transmitted Infection (STI) tests Both partners should get tested for STIs, including HIV, before initiating sexual intercourse.
Mental Health Screening Discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Colorectal Health (use 1 of these 3 methods)
Fecal occult blood test		 Yearly. Older than age 75, discuss with your doctor.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy (with fecal occult blood test) Every 5 years. Older than age 75, discuss with your doctor.
Colonoscopy Every 10 years. Older than age 75, discuss with your doctor.
Eye and Ear Health
Comprehensive eye exam		 Every 1-2 years.
Hearing test Every 3 years.
Skin Health
Mole exam		 Monthly mole self-exam; by a doctor as part of a routine full checkup.
Oral Health
Dental exam		 Routinely; discuss with your dentist.
Immunizations
Influenza vaccine		 Yearly.
Pneumococcal vaccine One time only.
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP) booster vaccine Every 10 years.
Herpes zoster vaccine Starting at age 60, one time only. Ask your doctor or nurse if it is OK for you to get it.

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