Preventive screenings aim to find health problems early, often before symptoms appear, when treatment can be more effective. But the list of recommended tests can be confusing — which ones apply to you, at what age, and how often?
In the United States, many screening recommendations come from the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent panel that reviews evidence. Medical organisations sometimes make slightly different recommendations. This guide summarises common recommendations as a starting point for a conversation with your clinician.
Key Takeaways
- Colorectal cancer screening is recommended for adults aged 45 to 75.
- Mammography is recommended every two years for women aged 40 to 74 under current USPSTF guidance.
- Cervical cancer screening is recommended from age 21 to 65, with options depending on age.
- Lung cancer screening with low-dose CT is recommended for adults 50 to 80 with a significant smoking history.
- Your personal and family history can change when and how often you should be screened.
This article is general information. Recommendations are updated periodically, and your clinician may advise a different schedule based on your health and history.
Blood pressure
Who: adults 18 and older.
How often: commonly every year for adults 40 and older and those at higher risk; less often for younger adults with normal readings.
High blood pressure often has no symptoms. Readings outside the clinic, such as home monitoring, can help confirm a diagnosis.
Diabetes and prediabetes
Who: adults aged 35 to 70 who are overweight or have obesity, according to the USPSTF. Clinicians may screen earlier for people with additional risk factors.
Tests: A1C, fasting plasma glucose or an oral glucose tolerance test.
Cholesterol
Many organisations recommend periodic lipid testing in adults, with frequency based on risk. Your clinician will consider cholesterol as part of overall cardiovascular risk assessment.
Colorectal cancer
Who: adults aged 45 to 75. For adults 76 to 85, screening decisions are individual.
Options include:
- Colonoscopy, typically every 10 years if normal
- Stool-based tests such as the fecal immunochemical test (FIT), usually yearly
- Stool DNA tests, typically every one to three years
- CT colonography or flexible sigmoidoscopy at set intervals
A positive stool test requires a follow-up colonoscopy. People with a family history of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease or certain genetic syndromes may need earlier or more frequent screening.
Breast cancer
Who: women aged 40 to 74, according to the USPSTF’s 2024 recommendation.
How often: every two years.
Some organisations recommend annual screening. Women with a strong family history, certain genetic mutations or other risk factors may need earlier or additional screening, such as MRI.
Cervical cancer
Who: women aged 21 to 65.
Options:
- Ages 21 to 29: cervical cytology (Pap test) every three years
- Ages 30 to 65: Pap test every three years, high-risk HPV testing every five years, or co-testing every five years
Screening is generally not recommended after 65 for people with adequate prior screening and no high-risk factors, or after a hysterectomy with removal of the cervix for non-cancer reasons.
Lung cancer
Who: adults aged 50 to 80 with a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years (for example, one pack a day for 20 years) who currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years.
Test: yearly low-dose CT scan.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
Who: men aged 65 to 75 who have ever smoked.
Test: a one-time ultrasound.
Osteoporosis
Who: women 65 and older, and younger postmenopausal women at increased risk.
Test: bone density scan (DXA).
Other screenings
Depending on age and risk, clinicians may also recommend screening for:
- Hepatitis C (once for adults 18 to 79)
- HIV (adolescents and adults 15 to 65)
- Depression and anxiety
- Hearing and vision, especially for older adults
How to plan your screenings
- Keep a record of your screening dates and results.
- Share your family history, especially of cancer and heart disease, with your clinician.
- Ask about options. For colorectal screening, for example, different tests have different benefits and inconveniences.
- Check insurance coverage. Many preventive services are covered without cost-sharing under US law when provided in network, but follow-up tests may have costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are screening recommendations the same for everyone? No. Recommendations depend on age, sex, family history and other risk factors.
Can screening cause harm? Some tests can lead to false positives, additional procedures or overdiagnosis. That is why recommendations balance benefits and harms.
What if I missed screenings? Talk to your clinician about catching up.
Do I need screenings if I feel healthy? Yes — screening is designed for people without symptoms.
The bottom line
Preventive screenings are among the most effective tools in medicine when used at the right ages. Use this overview to start a conversation, and agree a personal schedule with your clinician.