Most of us only think about our health when something hurts. Yet many serious conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes and several cancers, can develop quietly for years without a single symptom. Screening exists for exactly this reason: to find problems early, when they are usually easier to treat. If you have been putting off a checkup, this guide is a gentle place to start.
What Is a Preventive Screening?
A screening is a test or exam done in people who feel well, to look for disease before symptoms appear. It is different from a diagnostic test, which is ordered to explain a symptom you already have. Screening recommendations are based on age, sex, family history and personal risk factors, so the right schedule for you may differ from a friend's.
Heart and Metabolic Health
Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death in the United States, and its biggest risk factors are often silent.
- Blood pressure: Adults are generally checked at routine visits. High blood pressure rarely causes symptoms but raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Cholesterol: A blood test helps estimate heart disease risk and guides decisions about lifestyle changes or medication.
- Diabetes and prediabetes: Blood sugar testing is commonly recommended for adults with overweight or other risk factors, and for many adults starting in middle age.
Cancer Screenings
Several cancers have screening tests shown in research to reduce deaths when used at appropriate ages. National guidelines, such as those from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, change over time, so it is worth reviewing them with a clinician.
- Colorectal cancer: Screening is generally recommended beginning at age 45, using options such as colonoscopy or stool-based tests.
- Breast cancer: Mammography is commonly recommended for women starting in their 40s, with timing based on personal and family history.
- Cervical cancer: Pap and HPV testing are recommended at intervals for people with a cervix, typically from age 21.
- Lung cancer: Low-dose CT may be advised for older adults with a significant smoking history.
- Prostate cancer: PSA testing is a personal decision that is best made after discussing benefits and limits with your doctor.
Infections, Bones and Mental Health
Screening is not only about cancer and heart disease. Guidelines also support one-time or periodic testing for several other concerns.
- HIV and hepatitis C: Most adults are advised to be tested at least once, since both can be present without symptoms and both are treatable.
- Sexually transmitted infections: Testing depends on age and risk, and is a routine, judgment-free part of care.
- Bone density: Recommended for women 65 and older, and sooner for those with risk factors for osteoporosis.
- Depression and anxiety: Short questionnaires can help identify concerns that deserve support.
Why Personal Risk Matters
A guideline is a starting point, not a verdict. A family history of colon cancer, for example, may mean beginning screening earlier. Conditions like high blood pressure, pregnancy complications or certain autoimmune diseases can also change what is advised. Screening has trade-offs too, including false positives and follow-up tests, which is why a thoughtful conversation matters more than a one-size-fits-all checklist.
How to Prepare for a Prevention Visit
- Write down your family history, including relatives' diagnoses and the ages they were found.
- Gather records of past screenings, vaccines and test results.
- List your medications and supplements.
- Bring your questions, including ones that feel awkward. Your doctor has heard them before.
Take the First Step
You do not need to have everything figured out to begin. If you are unsure which screenings fit your age and history, call the office to ask about a visit with Dr. Chetver and build a plan that feels manageable. Small, steady steps toward prevention can make a lasting difference.