Take regular screening tests

Aging well means more than having regular checkups to prevent disease. The first step in ensuring good health for the years beyond 50 is to determine the status of your health so you can manage it, even improve it as you age.

Taking regular tests to screen for various diseases and conditions gives you a blueprint for doing that.

Guidelines for tests
Medical tests assume there is a medical problem. Screening tests are conducted on healthy people to determine if they have a condition that is asymptomatic (without signs) in its early stages.

Guidelines for screening tests are simple:
▪ The condition is common and serious enough to affect quality or length of life.
▪ The condition is treatable.
▪ Treatments started during the asymptomatic period must have better results than treatments started after signs of the disease appear.

Here’s what you need to know about the screening tests you should have at different stages of your life.

SCREENING TESTS IN YOUR 50S:

SKIN CANCER EXAMINATION:  
Frequency: Monthly self-examinion for abnormalities or changes and annually as
part of your physical.
Why: Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. About 40 to 50 per cent of
North Americans who live to age 65 will have skin cancer at least once.

DENTAL CHECKUP: 
Frequency:  Once or twice a year.
Why: Personal hygiene is a prerequisite of good health. More importantly there
is evidence of a connection between gum disease and heart disease.

EYE EXAMINATION: 
Frequency: Annually if you have corrective lenses. Every two to three years if you
don’t.
Why: Check for:

• Presbyopia (age-related loss of flexibility within the lens)
• Glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye, which can lead to vision loss)
• Macular degeneration (deterioration of retinal cells, which gradually decreases vision)
• Cataracts (clouding of the lens, which blurs vision).

DEPRESSION:
Frequency: Annually at your physical.
Why: Depression can develop after the loss of a spouse, or as a result of being ill or
incapacitated.

Your doctor will ask you a series of questions to determine if you are depressed. They
include changes in appetite, sleep patterns, mood and weight.

COLORECTAL CANCER:
Frequency: There are four screening methods and different frequencies for each: 

• Annual occult blood test: Checks for blood in a stool sample, a sign of problems
• Every five years: Sigmoidoscopy examines the rectum and lower colon
• Every five to 10 years: X-rays of the colon and rectum, after a barium enema
• Every 10 years: Colonoscopy examines the rectum and entire colon.

Why: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Detection of
polyps in early stages means they can be removed before they become cancerous.

BONE DENSITY SCAN: 
Frequency: Every one to three years if you are at risk of developing osteoporosis.

Men and women should talk to their doctors if they notice a loss of height, curving spine change in posture or sudden back pain. Those at risk include:

• Postmenopausal women
• White or Asian women not on estrogen
• Women on HRT for prolonged periods
• Those with a family history of the disease.

Why: Osteoporosis left unchecked can result in disability and death.

Next page: BLOOD PRESSURE/ 50+WOMEN ONLY/ 50+MEN ONLY/ IN YOUR 60s/ 70s

BLOOD PRESSURE:
Frequency: Every two years for those with normal pressure. More frequently if you have: 

• Readings of 130/85 or higher
• Diabetes
• A family history of high blood pressure
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Why: Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, and liver,
kidney, and eye damage.

ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG):
Frequency: You should be tested at 40 to determine your baseline and every two years
thereafter.
Why: Detects abnormalities such as heart damage after a heart attack, an
irregular heart rhythm or an enlarged heart.

DIABETES SCREENING (FASTING PLASMA GLUCOSE TEST):
Frequency: Every three years starting at age 45.
Why: The test detects diabetes. If you are obese, have a family history of diabetes or are
black, Hispanic, aboriginal or Asian, testing should begin at age 30.

CHOLESTEROL TEST:
Frequency: Test in your 20s to get your baseline, then every five years thereafter.

Test more often if you are obese, have a family history of diabetes or early heart disease,
high blood pressure, diabetes, or high total or LDL cholesterol.

A blood test is taken after a nine to 12-hour fast and provides a complete lipid profile –
total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Why: High cholesterol, if left untreated can lead to heart disease and stroke.

TRANSFERRIN SATURATION TEST (IRON-OVERLOAD DISEASE):
Frequency: Test in your 30s to get your baseline, then periodically, as
recommended by your doctor.
Why: Detects hemochromatosis, or iron-overload disease, an under-recognized
but treatable hereditary condition in which your body absorbs too much iron.

Left untreated, it can lead to diabetes, arthritis, heart disease or liver disease.
 
Next page: FOR 50+ WOMEN ONLY/ FOR 50+ MEN ONLY/ FOR 60S,70s

FOR 50 + WOMEN ONLY:

BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION:
Frequency: Monthly.
Why: Breast cancer is one of the most common diseases affecting women over 50. Early
detection is vital for successful treatment.

MAMMOGRAPHY:
Frequency: Every one or two years.
Why:  See Breast Self-examination.

PAP SMEAR:
Frequency: Annually. If three annual tests are normal, then test once every three years.
Why: Incidence of cervical cancer increases with age. Women over 65 account for 25 per
cent of all cases.

THYROID SCREENING/THYROID-STIMULATING HORMONE TEST (TSH):
Frequency: Testing should start at 35, then every five years upon your doctor’s
recommendation.
Why: One in 10 North Americans has undiagnosed hypothyroidism. One of every five
women will develop thyroid problems during her lifetime. Older women are at greatest
risk.

FOR 50 + MEN ONLY:

DIGITAL RECTAL EXAM (DRE):
Frequency: Annually after age 50. Age 40 for blacks and men with family history).
Why: This is a physical examination of the rectum and last few inches of the bowel.
It screens for certain cancers, including prostate. The test can also help to evaluate
abdominal, genital and urinary complaints.

PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN (PSA):
Frequency: Annually for men after age 50. Less frequently for those with previously low
readings or on professional advice.
Why: Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer. One in five men
will develop it. The screening is a blood test that determines the level of PSA in the
blood.

However, treatment may do more harm than good for those with a  slow-growing cancer
and may cause impotence and incontinence.

A PSA test does not detect all prostate cancers. Discuss with your health care provider.

SCREENING TESTS IN YOUR 60s:
SKIN CANCER EXAMINATION: 
Frequency: Monthly self-examination for abnormalities or changes. Annually as part of
your physical checkup.
Why:  See In Your 50s.

DENTAL CHECKUP: 
Frequency: Once or twice a year.
Why: See In Your 50s.

EYE EXAMINATION:
Frequency: Annually if you have corrective lenses, every two to three years if not.
Why: See In Your 50s.

DEPRESSION:     
Frequency: Annually at your physical.
Why:  See In Your 50s.

KIDNEY (URINE ANALYSIS): 
Frequency: Annually at your physical.
Why: Can detect early signs of disease, including diabetes mellitus, renal disease and can look for urinary tract infections.

COLORECTAL CANCER:
Frequency: Four screening methods with different timings for each one. See In Your 50s.
Why: See In Your 50s.

BONE DENSITY SCAN:  
Frequency: Every one to three years after age 65.
Why: See In Your 50s.

BLOOD PRESSURE TEST:
Frequency: Every two years.
Why:   See In Your 50s.

ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG):
Frequency: Every two years.
Why:  See In Your 50s.

DIABETES SCREENING (FASTING PLASMA GLUCOSE TEST):
Frequency: Every three years.
Why: See In Your 50s.

CHOLESTEROL TEST:
Frequency: Every five years, more often if you are obese, have a family history of
diabetes or early heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or high total or LDL
cholesterol.
Why: See In Your 50s.

THYROID SCREENING (THYROID-STIMULATING HORMONE TEST/TSH):
Frequency: Every five years.
Why: See In Your 50s.

TRANSFERRIN SATURATION TEST (IRON-OVERLOAD DISEASE):
Frequency: Periodic retesting as recommended by your doctor.
Why: See In Your 50s.

Next page: FOR 60+ WOMEN ONLY/ FOR 60+ MEN ONLY/ FOR YOUR 70S

FOR 60+ WOMEN ONLY

BREAST SELF-EXAMINATION:
Frequency: Monthly
Why: See In Your 50s.

MAMMOGRAPHY
Frequency: Every one to two years until 70. Continue tests as long as you are in good
enough health to allow treatment.
Why: See In Your 50s.

PAP SMEARS:
Frequency: Annually until age 65. Or 75 if you were not tested for the 10 years before
age 66.
Why: See In Your 50s.

FOR 60+  MEN ONLY:

DIGITAL RECTAL EXAM (DRE):
Frequency: Annually.
Why: See In Your 50s.

PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN (PSA):
Frequency: Annually, but less frequently for those with previously low readings.
Why: See In Your 50s.

SCREENING TESTS IN YOUR 70S:

SKIN CANCER EXAMINATION: 
Frequency: Monthly self-examination for abnormalities or changes. Annually as part of
your physical checkup.
Why: See In Your 50s.

DENTAL CHECKUP: 
Frequency: Once or twice a year.
Why: See In Your 50s.

EYE EXAMINATION:        
Frequency: Annually if you have corrective lenses; every two to three years if you
don’t.
Why: See In Your 50s.

DEPRESSION:     
Frequency: Annually.
Why:  See In Your 50s

COLORECTAL CANCER:
Frequency: Four screening methods and different frequencies for each. See In Your 50s.
Why: See In Your 50s.

BONE DENSITY SCAN:  
Frequency: Every one to three years.
Why: See In Your 50s.

BLOOD PRESSURE TEST:
Frequency: Every two years.
Why: See In Your 50s.

ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG):
Frequency: Every two years.
Why: See In Your 50s.

DIABETES SCREENING (FASTING PLASMA GLUCOSE TEST):
Frequency: Every three years.
Why: See In Your 50s.

CHOLESTEROL TEST:
Frequency: Every five years, more often if you are obese, have a family history of
diabetes or early heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or high total or LDL
cholesterol.
Why: See In Your 50s.

THYROID SCREENING (THYROID-STIMULATING HORMONE TEST/TSH):
Frequency: Every five years.
Why: See In Your 50s.

TRANSFERRIN SATURATION TEST (IRON-OVERLOAD DISEASE):
Frequency: Periodic retesting as recommended.
Why: See In Your 50s.

FOR 70 + WOMEN ONLY:

PAP SMEARS:
Frequency: Continue annually until age 75 if you were not tested for the 10 years before
age 66.
Why: See In Your 50s.

MAMMOGRAPHY:
Frequency: Continue screening every one to two years as long as your health allows treatment.
Why: See In Your 50s.

FOR 70+ MEN ONLY:

DIGITAL RECTAL EXAM (DRE):
Frequency: Annually.
Why: See In Your 50s.

PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN (PSA):
Frequency: Annually, but less frequently for those with previously low readings.
Why: See In Your 50s.