Maintaining your best health begins with staying up-to-date on all your yearly screenings. When diseases like diabetes and high cholesterol are diagnosed early, it's easier to find a treatment that works while getting conditions under control — so they don't rule your life. Avera is here to help. Live better with yearly checkups at an Avera location near you.
Own Your Health at Every Age
Even if you feel fine, you should still see your doctor for regular checkups. The only way you'll know if you have high blood pressure, prediabetes or other concerns is with periodic screenings and tests. Below are recommended screening guidelines for women and men of every age.
Health Screening Guidelines for Men & Women
Detecting health issues before they become serious concerns is one of the most important things you can do for your well-being. If you have been putting off screenings like a mammogram or colonoscopy, now is the time to schedule your appointment.
Please note: Screening guidelines provide recommendations for average-risk patients. Check with your doctor on your what works best for your unique health journey.
All Adults
Blood Pressure Check
- Ages 18-64: Every two years
- Ages 65+: Every year
Cholesterol Screening
- Ages 18-64: Every 5 years (especially men over 34 and women over 44)
- Ages 65+: Every 3-5 years
Physical Exam
- Ages 40-64: Every 1-5 years
- Ages 65+: Every year
Immunizations
- All ages: Tetanus-diphtheria every 10 years
- All ages: Flu shot every year
- Age 50+: Shingles two-part series vaccine
- Age 65+: Pneumococcal vaccine if not done before if received one more than five years before age 65
Low Dose CT Screening
- Screens for lung cancer
- Ages 50-77: Begin screening if you have had at least a 20-pack-year smoking history, currently smoke or have quit within the last 15 years.
Colonoscopy
- Screens for colorectal (colon) cancer
- Ages 45-75: Colonoscopy every 10 years
- Age 75+: See doctor to discuss risks and benefits of continued testing.
- Fecal stool testing is an option every 1-3 years (depending on type of test done).
Women
Pelvic Exam and Pap Smear
- Screens for cervical cancer
- Ages 21-29: Pap smear every 3 years
- Ages 30-65: Pap smear plus HPV test every 5 years
- Ages 65+: Stop if you had 10 years of normal Pap smears1
Osteoporosis Screening
- Dual-energy X-ray (DXA) scan to assess bone density and strength
- All 65+: DXA scan every 2 years to check for osteoporosis
Mammogram
- Screens for breast cancer
- Ages 40-85: Mammogram every year (unless your doctor determines otherwise)
- Mobile 3D mammography services available at outreach sites
Men
Testicular Exam
- Screens for testicular cancer
- All ages: Monthly testicular self-exam
- All ages: Yearly doctor exam
Prostate Exam
- Screens for prostate cancer
- Ages 50-70: See a primary care doctor to determine a screening schedule best for you.
- If you have a family history of prostate cancer, begin screenings at age 45.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
- Ages 65-75: Those who have smoked should get an ultrasound done once to screen for abdominal aneurysms.