Getting regular exercise and eating nutritious foods are important to a healthy lifestyle. Another key is getting routine health screening at appropriate intervals in order to detect subtle changes in our bodies. Below are two lists of simple screenings, for men and for women, you should ask your doctor to perform.

Men

• Blood Pressure Screening
  It is a good idea to have blood pressure checked each year, as high blood pressure does not present with any symptoms.
• Cholesterol
  If you have an increased risk of developing heart disease, your doctor should begin checking your cholesterol levels regularly by the age of 20.
• Colorectal Cancer
  Men have a slightly higher risk of developing either colon or rectal cancer than women. You should discuss with your doctor which screening test is right for you. By age 50, you should be scheduling rectal exams every 5-10 years.
• Diabetes
  If your blood pressure is higher than 135/80 and/or you take medicine to control high blood pressure, you should schedule a diabetes screening.
• Prostate
  To protect yourself against prostate cancer, you should consider annual prostate-specific antigen tests and digital rectal exams once you turn 50.
• STI/HIV
  If you are sexually active, you should get tested yearly for sexually transmitted infections.
• Testicular Cancer
  Beginning at age 18, you should perform monthly self-examinations and discuss any abnormalities with your doctor.
• Testosterone Levels
  If you notice you have a lower sex drive, increased fatigue, or symptoms of depression, talk to your doctor about screening for low testosterone levels.

Women

• Blood Pressure Screening
  Beginning at age 18, if your blood pressure is near 120/80, you should have it checked every two years. If your blood pressure is above 120/80, your doctor may schedule regular check-ups at least once a year.
• Bone Density
  Women are at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis in later years, as bone loss increases after menopause. Once you turn 50, you should discuss your risk with your doctor and after 65, you should be tested at least once.
• Breast Cancer
  After the age of 50, women should schedule mammograms every two years to maintain breast health. If a member of your family has breast, ovarian, or peritoneal cancer, you may also consider screenings for the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes, which have been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
• Cervical Cancer
  If you are between the ages of 21 and 29, you should visit your gynecologist for a Pap smear every three years. After the age of 30, schedule a Pap smear and HPV test every five years.
• Cholesterol
  If you have an increased risk of developing heart disease, your cholesterol levels should be checked regularly beginning at age 20.
• Colorectal Cancer
  There are a few different ways to screen for colorectal cancer. If you are between the ages of 50 and 75, you can discuss testing options with your doctor to determine which method is right for you.
• Diabetes
  If your blood pressure is higher than 135/80 and/or you take medications to control high blood pressure, you should schedule a diabetes screening.
• STI/HIV
  If you are sexually active, you should get tested yearly for sexually transmitted diseases. If you are pregnant, you should get tested for HIV and syphilis.

Diseases, such as high blood pressure and cancer, may not present with symptoms right away. To maintain optimal health, it’s important to schedule frequent check-ups with your doctor and undergo regular screening tests to identify issues early.