Annual physical exams are essential to keep your body healthy and identify any signs of illness early on. The guidelines below will ensure you stay current on the recommended health screenings for your age group. Depending on factors such as your lifestyle, health history, and genetics, your doctor may recommend some of these screenings at different ages or frequency than the criteria listed below. The information below is not meant to replace advice from your doctor. If you have not yet established care with a doctor and need to find an in-network primary care provider, feel free to use our Find a Provider tool to find a care location near you.
20’s
- Annual physical exam
- Blood pressure
- Height / weight measurements
- Annual vision & dental exam
- Annual Well-Women Visit
- STI testing/ HIV screening every 2 years
- If you are sexually active, have multiple partners, or are getting into a new relationship, it is a good idea to get tested.
- Birth control
- Clinical breast exam
- Pelvic exam and pap smear (every 3 years)
- STI testing/ HIV screening every 2 years
- Full body skin exam every 2 years
- Skin changes can occur rapidly, so an exam ensures any form of cancer is caught early.
- Cholesterol testing every 5 years
- High cholesterol increases your risk of heart attack and stroke, two of the leading causes of death in the United States.
- Annual Flu vaccine
- HPV vaccine (if not already received)
- Protect yourself against warts and cancers that can be caused by this STD.
- Tdap booster at least every 10 years
- Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds. Diphtheria and pertussis spread from person to person. Prevent all three with this vaccine.
- MMR
- Protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.
- Should get 2 doses if there are no previously documented doses.
- Varicella
- Protects against chicken pox. For people who have not previously had chicken pox or the vaccine.
- Depression screening
- Helps you recognize, talk about, and seek treatment for depression if needed
30’s
All screenings from your 20’s PLUS:
- Blood test for diabetes, thyroid disease, liver problems, and anemia
- Annual cardiovascular evaluation
- Includes blood pressure, cholesterol, and family history screening.
40’s
All screenings from your 20’s and 30’s PLUS:
- Mammogram
- Breast Cancer screening (every 1-2 years)
- Diabetes screening
- Screening for lipid disorders (Coronary Heart Disease) every 5 years
50’s
All screenings from your 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s PLUS:
- Annual Low-dose CT Lung Scan
- Necessary if you are or have been a smoker.
- Blood test for thyroid every 5 years
- Annual screening for colon cancer with fecal occult blood test
- Checks stool for hidden blood
- Colonoscopy every 10 years
- Shingles vaccine (2 doses)
60’s and Older
All previous screenings listed PLUS:
- Annual screening for Osteoporosis
- Tests your bone mineral density to identify low bone mass.
- Annual Hearing Exam
- Continue colorectal screening based upon previous studies and results
- Annual screening for Dementia and Alzheimer’s
- One-time screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
- Ultrasound to detect any enlargement of the Aorta, the main blood vessel that delivers blood to the body.
Need a better way to keep track of your progress to make sure you’re staying current on exams? Download and print off our women’s health checklist.
Annual visits with your doctor are important to maintain good health. If you have not seen a doctor in the past year, schedule a wellness visit today. Need to find a new, in-network primary care provider? If you are a member of Arizona Care Network, you can use our Find a Provider tool or call the ACN concierge team at 602.406.7226.
