Being a smart health care consumer involves knowing what screenings are recommended and how often you should get them. The following are general guidelines from the Medical Tests Sourcebook. However, it’s important to talk with your health care provider to determine how frequently you should be tested based on your age, family and personal health history, lifestyle, and living habits.

1. Cancer-related check-ups. Cancer-related checkups are advised every three years for people aged 20-30 and every year for people age 40 and older. This check-up should include, depending on the person’s age, risk level, and gender, examinations for cancer of the thyroid, oral cavity, skin, lymph nodes, testes, and ovaries as well as for some non-malignant diseases. Special tests should be conducted for breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer and osteoporosis.
2. Cardiovascular system diagnostic tests. Cardiovascular system diagnostic tests should be conducted regularly to determine your heart health even if you are doing everything right. A cardiovascular physical examination includes tests that measure your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, heart rate and rhythm, your pulse, breath and heart sounds, your weight, and your body mass index.

An electrocardiogram or EKG is a test that is indispensable in evaluating many possible forms of heart disease. This test records the electrical activity of your heart and it breaks down your heart beat into a series of waves that provides information about your heart rate, the rhythm of your heart, the presence of heart damage or an inadequate blood and oxygen supply to the heart muscle and any other abnormalities in structure. Most experts agree heart-related screenings should be conducted at least:

• Twice in your 20s (every five years);
• Three times in your 30s (every three to four years);
• Four times in your 40s (every two to three years);
• Five times in your 50s (every two years); and
• Every year if you are 60 or older.

Source:  Breenfleck Shannon, Joyce. Medical Tests Sourcebook, 1999, p. 13-23.