In order to maintain or work towards a healthy lifestyle, it is extremely important to stay up-to-date on your health screenings.
It is recommended to visit your Primary Care Physician once a year for an annual physical, but how often should you participate in other screenings that we may not think about? Guidelines may differ depending on medical and family history, lifestyle, and physician preferences, however, these are currently the standards:
Important Health Screenings for Men and Women
- Blood pressure screening- every year at your physical
- Cholesterol screening- every 5 years starting at age 20, or more frequently depending on previous readings and risk factors
- Glucose screening- every 3 years starting at age 45, or more frequently depending on previous readings and risk factors
- Colonoscopy- every 10 years for men and women ages 50-75
Important Health Screenings for Women
- Breast self-exams- once per month starting at age 20 (Learn about our Breast Services Program)
- Mammogram- once per year starting at age 40
- Pap smear- once every 3 years for women ages 21-61, or Pap test with HPV screening every 5 years for women ages 30-65
- Osteoporosis screening– at physicians discretion for women ages 65 and older
Important Health Screenings for Men
- Prostate cancer screening- once per year for men ages 50 and older (starting at age 40 for African-American men)
About WakeMed Corporate & Community Health
The Corporate and Community Health division of WakeMed provides worksite wellness and health promotion services to numerous corporate and community clients throughout Wake County. The department is made up of a multi-disciplinary team who perform preventative health screenings, education and coaching upon request. The department assists thousands of people each year on their wellness journey.
