Screening exams are medical tests done when you’re healthy. When your doctor suggests a screening test, it does not mean he or she thinks you are sick. Screening tests are done when you have no symptoms. They can help find cancer and other diseases at an early stage, before symptoms appear. When abnormal tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat or cure.
Greenville Health System (GHS) has screening plans for men and women. The exam you get and how often you are tested depends on whether you are at average, increased, or high risk. It’s important to discuss any screening plans with your doctor to determine what course of action is best for you and your health.
It’s important to know your family history. This information, along with your personal health history, helps your health care provider find out if you’re at increased or high risk. You and your health care provider can use this information to make a well-informed decision about screenings.
GHS recommends the following screening exams
Women Age 18-21
- Well-Care visit every year
- First pap test for sexually active women starting at age 21
- Chlamydia test every year for sexually active women through age 24
- HIV test one time during adulthood (through age 64)
- Tetanus-diphtheria every 10 years
- Flu vaccine every year
Men Age 18-21
- Well-Care visit every year
- HIV test one time during adulthood (through age 64)
- Tetanus-diphtheria every 10 years
- Flu vaccine every year
Women Age 22-49
- Well-Care visit at least once every 4 years
- Pap test every 3 years through age 29; starting at age 30, every 3-5 years
- Chlamydia test every year for sexually active women through age 24
- HIV test one time during adulthood (through age 64)
- Mammogram starting at age 40
- Cholesterol check every 5 years, beginning at age 45
- Blood pressure check every 2 years
- Hepatitus C test one time during adulthood
- Tetanus-diphtheria every 10 years
- Flu vaccine every year
Men Age 22-49
- Well-Care visit at least once every 4 years
- HIV test one time during adulthood (through age 64)
- Cholesterol check every 5 years, beginning at age 35
- Blood pressure check every 2 years
- Hepatitus C test one time during adulthood
- Tetanus-diphtheria every 10 years
- Flu vaccine every year
Women Age 50-64
- Well-Care visit every 2 years
- Pap test every 3-5 years
- HIV test one time during adulthood (through age 64)
- Mammogram every 1-2 years, based on risk factors
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, one-time screening for women age 55-75
- Cholesterol check every 5 years, beginning at age 45
- Blood pressure check every 2 years
- Hepatitus C test one time during adulthood
- Colon cancer screening starting at age 50
- Tetanus-diphtheria every 10 years
- Flu vaccine every year
- Shingles vaccine, once in a lifetime for age 60+
Men Age 50-64
- Well-Care visit at least once every 2 years
- HIV test one time during adulthood (through age 64)
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, one-time screening for women age 55-75
- Cholesterol check every 5 years
- Blood pressure check every 2 years
- Hepatitus C test one time during adulthood
- Colon cancer screening starting at age 50
- Prostate cancer screening
- Tetanus-diphtheria every 10 years
- Flu vaccine every year
- Shingles vaccine, once in a lifetime for age 60+
Women Age 65+
- Well-Care visit every year
- Mammogram every 1-2 years, based on risk factors
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, one-time screening for women age 55-75
- Cholesterol check every 5 years, through age 79
- Blood pressure check every year
- Hepatitus C test one time during adulthood
- Colon cancer screening; age 75 +, regular screening not recommended
- Bone density test, as needed
- Vision and hearing checks every year
- Tetanus-diphtheria every 10 years
- Flu vaccine every year
- Shingles vaccine, once in a lifetime for age 60+
- Pneumococcal vaccine, one time for ages 65+
Men Age 65+
- Well-Care visit every year
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, one-time screening for women age 55-75
- Cholesterol check every 5 years, through age 79
- Blood pressure check every year
- Hepatitus C test one time during adulthood
- Colon cancer screening; age 75 +, regular screening not recommended
- Vision and hearing checks every year
- Prostate cancer screening
- Tetanus-diphtheria every 10 years
- Flu vaccine every year
- Shingles vaccine, once in a lifetime for age 60+
- Pneumococcal vaccine, one time for ages 65+
Knowing when to get a mammogram, a colonoscopy or any other screening test can be confusing. However, these tests are important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and peace of mind for you and your family. The best protection is at times detection.
If you are interested in getting screened, or you just have questions about when and how to get screened, please contact your primary care physician. We can help you decide which screening test is right for you, send you information, and arrange your screening. Schedule your screening appointment today by calling (844) GHS-DOCS (447-3627).
If you don’t have a primary care physician, click here to find the physician who will help keep you healthy and loving life!
