Physical exam frequency

AGE 65 AND OLDER

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening:
  • Men between ages 65 - 75 who have smoked should have an ultrasound done once to screen for abdominal aortic aneurysms.
  • Others should discuss such screening with their health care provider.
• Blood pressure screening:
  • Have your blood pressure checked every year.
  • If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be watched more closely.
• Cholesterol screening:
  • If your cholesterol level is normal, have it rechecked every 3-5 years.
  • If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to be monitored more closely.
• Colon cancer screening: One of the following screening tests should be done:
  • A stool test every year
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years along with a stool guaiac test
  • Colonoscopy every 10 years
  • Computed tomographic colonography (virtual colonoscopy)

Note: Patients with risk factors for colon cancer, including long-standing ulcerative colitis, personal or family history of colorectal cancer, or history of large colorectal adenomas may need a colonoscopy more often.

• Dental exam:
  • Go to the dentist every year.
• Eye exam:
  • Have an eye exam every 2 years.
  • Make sure your health care provider checks for glaucoma.
• Hearing test:
  • Have your hearing tested every year.
• Immunizations:
  • If you are over 65, get a pneumococcal vaccine if you have never had before, or if you received one more than 5 years before your turned 65.
  • Get a flu shot every year.
  • Get a tetanus -diphtheria booster every 10 years.
  • A shingles or herpes zoster vaccination may be given once after age 60.
• Men: Prostate exam:
  • All men should discuss prostate cancer screening with their health care provider.
  • Screening may involves a PSA test or digital rectal exam.
• Physical exam:
  • Have a yearly physical exam.
  • With each exam, you should have your height and weight checked.
  • Routine diagnostic tests are not recommended unless your doctor finds a problem.
• Women: Breast exams:
  • Women may do a monthly breast self-exam.
  • Women should contact their doctor immediately if they notice a change in their breasts, whether or not they do self exams.
  • A complete breast exam should be done by a health care provider every year.
• Women: Mammograms:
  • Women should have a mammogram done every 1-2 years depending on risk factors to check for breast cancer.
• Women: Osteoporosis screening:
  • All women should have a bone density test (DEXA scan).
  • Ask your doctor about the proper calcium intake and exercise needed to help prevent osteoporosis.
• Men: Osteoporosis screening:
  • All men over age 70 should have a bone density test (DEXA scan).
• Women: Pelvic exam and Pap smear:
  • Women should have a yearly pelvic exam and Pap smear done to check for cervical cancer and other disorders.
  • If your Pap smears have been negative for 3 years in a row, your doctor may tell you that you only need a Pap smear to every 2 - 3 years.
  • Women who have had a total hysterectomy (uterus or cervix removed) may choose not to have Pap smears.
  • If you are over 70 and your Pap smear has been normal for 10 years, or if your test results have been normal for 3 years in a row, you may choose not to have any more Pap smears.