Carolina Pines: Annual Screenings

Annual Screenings

When it’s time to schedule your yearly physical, be prepared and armed with the knowledge about what to expect.

Blood Pressure Men aged 18 to 39 with no risk factors should have their blood pressure checked every three years. Men aged 40 and above, and anyone with increased risk factors, should have their blood pressure checked every year. Increased risk factors include but are not limited to: kidney disease, family history of high blood pressure, African Americans, high-normal blood pressure, tobacco use, and overweight or obese persons.

Cholesterol Screening Testing should begin at age 20. Men with normal cholesterol should be retested every five years. Anyone with increased risk should be tested more often. Increased risk factors include but are not limited to: overweight or obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, personal history or family history of coronary heart disease, and tobacco use.

Diabetes Screening Starting at age 45, men should be screened every three years. Anyone with increased risk factors should be screened more often. Increased risk factors include but are not limited to: overweight or obesity, tobacco use, high blood pressure, immediate relative with diabetes, high-risk ethnic group, history of gestational diabetes, and sedentary lifestyle.

Osteoporosis Screening Men aged 70 and older, with certain risk factors should screen for osteoporosis. Talk with your health care provider to see if you are at increased risk.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Men aged 45 to 75 should have a colonoscopy or other approved screening test. Talk with your health care provider to see which test is right for you and how often you need to be screened. Anyone with an immediate relative with colorectal cancer may need to screen earlier and/or may need more frequent screening. Talk with your health care provider to see if you are at increased risk. Anyone age 76 and older should have a discussion with their health care provider to weigh the risks and benefits of screening.

Prostate Cancer Screening At age 50, men should discuss screening with their health care provider. African American men and men with an immediate relative with prostate cancer should begin discussion at age 45.

Please discuss with your health care provider to see if you are at increased risk for any of these, as people with increased risk factors should have more frequent screening than those without risk factors.

information provided by Shannon Gainey, FNP Carolina Pines Medical Group

To schedule an appointment online visit CarolinaPinesMedicalGroup.com or call 843.383.CPMG (2764).

Mammogram Women aged 40 to 74 should have a mammogram every year, depending on their risk factors. Women above the age of 74 should discuss screening with their health care provider.

Blood Pressure Screening Women aged 18 to 39 with no risk factors, should have their blood pressure checked every three years. Women aged 40 and above, and anyone with increased risk factors, should have their blood pressure checked every year. Increased risk factors include but are not limited to: kidney disease, a family history of high blood pressure, African-Americans, high-normal blood pressure, tobacco use, and overweight or obese persons.

Cholesterol Screening Testing should begin at age 20. Women with normal cholesterol should be retested every five years. Women with increased risk should be tested more often. Increased risk factors include but are not limited to: overweight or obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, personal history or family history of coronary heart disease, and tobacco use.

Diabetes Screening Starting at age 45, women should be screened every three years. Women with increased risk factors should be screened more often. Increased risk factors include but are not limited to: overweight or obesity, tobacco use, high blood pressure, immediate relative with diabetes, high-risk ethnic group, history of gestational diabetes, and sedentary lifestyle.

Osteoporosis Screening Women aged 65 and older should have a bone density scan (also known as DEXA) every two years. Postmenopausal women younger than age 65 with certain risk factors for fractures, should also have a bone density every two years. Ask your health care provider if you are at increased risk.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Women aged 45 to 75 should have a colonoscopy or other approved screening tests. Talk with your health care provider to see which test is right for you, and how often you need to be screened. Anyone with an immediate relative with colorectal cancer may need to screen earlier and/or may need more frequent screening. Talk with your health care provider to see if you are at increased risk. Anyone age 76 and older should have a discussion with their health care provider to weigh the risks and benefits of screening.

Cervical Cancer Screening Women aged 21 to 65 should have a Pap smear every three years or a Pap smear with HPV (human papillomavirus) test every five years. Women who have had a hysterectomy or are over the age of 65 should talk with their health care provider to see if they still need screening.