Section One: Wise Health Care Choices

  1. Medical Exams & Tests

*Note: These are general guidelines. Adults should also be screened for alcohol misuse, depression, obesity, and tobacco use. If you are at an increased risk for an illness, tests may need to be done sooner or more often. Extra tests (e.g., screening for diabetes, glaucoma) may also need to be done. Persons with high blood pressure or high cholesterol should be screened for diabetes. Follow your doctor’s advice. Check with your health plan to see if and when tests are covered.

  1. 1.Breast cancer screening guidelines vary with different health groups. For ages 40-49 and 74+, discuss your breast cancer risk and the pros and cons of these screening tests with your doctor or health care provider. Women at a high risk for breast cancer should seek expert medical advice about breast cancer screening and prevention.

  2. 2.Screening guidelines vary with different health groups. Ask your doctor at what age you should discuss prostate cancer screening. Ask about the benefits and risks of having prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests.

  3. 3.Follow your doctor’s advice. Screening test options include a stool blood test, sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy. How often testing is needed depends on the test(s) given and on your personal risk factors.

Health Tests & When to Have Them