Health Maintenance Guidelines

Age 50:

Men and women:

  • Colon cancer screening:  Acceptable tests include a colonoscopy then every 10 years or flexible sigmoidoscopy  every 5 years with annual FOBT (stool guiac card) and/or barium enema every 5-10 years
  • Cholesterol screen:   Every 5 years (unless on medical therapy) 
  • Diabetes screen:  Glucose testing annually  
  • Blood Pressure:  Annually 
  • Flu vaccine:  Annually

Women only:

  • Pap smear:  Every 1-3 years until age 65.
  • Mammogram:  Yearly until 70.
  • Osteoporosis screening:  DXA 5 years after menopause or at age 65 (which ever comes first). 

Men Only:

  • Digital Rectal Exam and PSA blood test annually.  (African American men possibly beginning at age 40)
  • Health Maintenance Guidelines

Age 65

Men and women

  • Colon cancer screening:  Colonoscopy then every 10 years or flexible sigmoidoscopy  every 5 years with annual FOBT (Stool guiac card) and/or barium enema every 5-10 years
  • Cholesterol screen:   Every 5 years (unless on medical therapy) 
  • Diabetes screen:  Glucose testing annually 
  • Blood Pressure:  Annually 
  • Flu vaccine:  Annually 
  • Pneumococcal vaccine:  At age 65 or five years after the last Pneumovax (if given after age 60) 
  • Shingles vaccine:  At age 60 or above.  Discuss with your physician. 
  • Eye exam:  Annual glaucoma screening

Women only:

  • Mammogram:  Yearly until 70.  Then discuss with your physician 
  • Osteoporosis screening:  DXA. If normal at 65, may repeat every 5 years

Men Only:

  • Digital Rectal Exam and PSA blood test annually until age 70.  Then discuss with your physician
  • Health Maintenance Guidelines

Diabetes-Any age

Men and women

  • Cholesterol screen:   Annually  
  • Glucose monitoring:  A1C (3 month glucose average) every 3-4 months
  • Blood Pressure:  At every office visit
  • Flu vaccine:  Annually
  • Pneumococcal vaccine:  At the time diabetes was diagnosed or at age 65 (which ever was sooner).  If first given before the age of 65, repeat at 65. (or five years after the first Pneumococcal vaccine was given)
  • Eye exam:  Annually
  • Foot exam:  At every visit
  • Urine micro-albumin:  Annually.  Tests for protein in the urine.