| Test |
Frequency |
| Blood pressure measurements |
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 1-3 years 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; self inspection for suspicious growths |
| Dental Exams |
twice a year for check-up and cleaning |
| HIV test |
if you had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985, have
injected illegal drugs, have had multiple sexual partners or have had sex with a man who
had sex with another man |
| Syphilis, Gonorrhea or Chlamydia Tests |
if you have had multiple sexual partners or any sexually
transmitted diseases |
| Tuberculosis Test (TB) |
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 |
