What preventive tests are worth doing?
Calendar of preventive examinations
Preventive screenings are designed to protect our health. Doctors recommend them to detect health problems at an early stage, when a complete cure is possible. Their value, therefore, cannot be overestimated, and getting them done is an expression of self-care. They play a special role in oncology. Some cancers develop without causing symptoms, and regular preventive screenings offer a chance to detect the disease and initiate treatment.
An important premise and indication for preventive testing is the patient's age and the potential for developing a given disease. These are two factors that influence prognosis and allow for early treatment. Our proposed preventive testing schedule organizes tests according to medical recommendations.
What preventive tests should you undergo regardless of age? Basic preventive tests.
Doctors recommend regular preventive checkups, regardless of age. These are divided into those that should be performed annually and those that should be performed preventively once every five years.
Perform once a year
- basic blood and urine tests,
- blood pressure measurement, weight control,
- examination of moles with a dermatoscope by a dermatologist (self-observation of moles on the skin once a month).
Perform once every 5 years
- lipid profile (measurement of cholesterol levels in the blood),
- Abdominal ultrasound and chest X-ray.
What preventive tests should you do after the age of 20?
After the age of 20, additional preventive screenings are recommended. These screenings are described in detail in the additional preventive screenings calendar below.
Between 20 and 30 years of age:
WOMEN
- once a year gynecological examination with cytology,
- monthly breast self-examination (between days 6 and 9 of the cycle),
- Breast ultrasound every six months – women at risk,
- mammogram once a year – women at risk.
MEN
- monthly testicular examination,
- Proctological examination of the prostate – men at risk.
Between 30 and 40 years of age:
WOMEN AND MEN
- visit to an ophthalmologist with an eye fundus examination every 5 years.
WOMEN
- one-time ultrasound examination of the reproductive organs.
MEN
- monthly testicular examination,
- Proctological examination of the prostate – men at risk.
Between 40 and 50 years of age:
WOMEN AND MEN
- ECG every 3 years,
- gastroscopy once every 5 years,
- annual fecal occult blood test,
- annual chest X-ray – smokers,
- bone densitometry examination.
WOMEN
- transvaginal ultrasound of the reproductive organs every 2 years,
- Breast ultrasound and mammography once every 2 years,
- one-time test of thyroid hormone levels in the blood.
MEN
- once a year, rectal examination of the prostate,
- Lung X-ray every 2 years.
Above the age of 50, the above examinations should be continued, increasing the frequency:
WOMEN AND MEN
- Repeat abdominal ultrasound every year,
- colonoscopy every 5 years,
- ECG every six months.
and additionally perform:
WOMEN
- gynecological examination with cytology and ultrasound of the reproductive organs and thyroid hormone level testing once a year,
- breast mammography every 2 years.
MEN
- prostate examination per rectum every 2 years,
- determination of the PSA antigen level in the blood once a year,
- testicular examination by a doctor once every 3 years,
- monthly testicular self-examination.
Preventive screenings should be performed regularly, at any age, and even when we feel well. Any abnormalities detected early are easier to correct, and cancer detected early is curable! Therefore, it's both worthwhile and necessary to get tested.
Medical consultation
doctor Agnieszka Król-Krawczyk
Specialist in family medicine