It can be confusing to know which screening tests are needed at any given time in your life, and it is important to avoid unnecessary testing because they are less accurate when you are at low risk and can lead to unnecessary medical procedures with accompanying pain, anxiety, and even risk of complications.
Below are some guidelines regarding general health tests and screenings. Your clinician will individualize recommendations based on your particular symptoms or screening requirements. It is important to discuss your own personal and family health as you make decisions about medical tests.
Recommendation | Frequency |
---|---|
Height, weight, blood pressure | Annually |
Breast exam | Discuss with your clinician |
Dental visit | Annually |
Mammogram | Age 40-49 discuss with your clinician, age 50+ every 1-2 years |
PAP/cervical cancer screening | PAP smears start at age 21, regardless of sexual activity. For low-risk women without prior abnormal PAP smears, new guidelines recommend:
|
Bone density | Age 65; younger if high risk |
Colonoscopy | 50+ every 10 years (alternate screening available) |
Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs) |
Average risk people can now order basic STI testing through our self-directed STI screening program in eTang! This program offers screening for Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis, and/or HIV without an appointment at low or no cost depending on insurance.
*Call or come in within 72 hours to discuss Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) if you think you are at high risk for HIV exposure*
Our recommendations for screening are consistent with those of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which bases its recommendations on the prevalence of these infections within different epidemiological risk groups:
For more information:(RENAME VANITY NAMES) Make an STD/STI screening appointment? Make an appointment to see a clinician If you don't have sympotms, consider self-directed screening. |
Cholesterol screening | 35+ every 5 years; younger if at high risk for heart disease |
Hepatitis B | Once for all pregnant women and Asian-born people of either gender |