| Test
| Frequency
|
| blood pressure |
every 1-2 years |
| breast exams |
monthly SELF exams; annual physician |
| mammography |
after age 40, every 1-2 years; check with your doctor for your personal
risk needs |
| cholesterol levels |
every 5 years after age 18 |
| pelvic exams/Pap smears |
every year after age 18 or when sexually active |
| rectal exams |
annually over age 50; earlier if you have inflammatory bowel disease or first -degree relative with colon cancer |
| blood sugar levels |
varies, depending on family history,personal risk factors for diabetes |
| skin exams |
annual mole checks by a physician;self inspection for suspicious
growths |
| dental exams |
twice a year for check-up and cleaning |
| HIV test |
as needed if you had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985, you've injected illegal drugs or had sex with someone who has, you've had multiple sexual partners or you've had sex with a man who had sex with another man or with multiple past partners |
| syphilis, gonorrhea or chlamydia tests |
as needed if you have had multiple sexual partners or any sexually transmitted diseases |
| tuberculosis test (TB) |
as needed if you have injected illegal drugs, have been an alcoholic or a health care worker, have been exposed to someone with tuberculosis, have recently moved from Asia, Africa, Central or South America, or the Pacific Islands, or if you have kidney failure or HIV infection |
