One of the many questions being asked about medical care these days is whether the routine checkup really helps keep people healthy. The value of checkups and their frequency depends mainly on your age and gender. Your personal and family medical history are also important. The following exams, measurements, and lab tests help identify treatable problems early. For many medical conditions, early treatment can help prevent more serious problems.

The recommendations listed below are based on guidelines developed by the American Academy of Family Physicians and the U.S. Preventive Health Task Force. They are guidelines for how often you should get routine checkups by your health care provider. If you have any ongoing health problems, you will probably need to see your provider more often. These schedules should be used for 'well care.'

In addition to seeing a health care provider regularly, you should try to maintain your weight at a comfortable, healthy level and do frequent physical activity or get regular exercise.

What needs to be checked and how often?

Men 18 to 39 years old:

• Every year: dental exam.

• Every 2 to 3 years:
  • blood pressure check

  • height and weight measurement

  • brief physical exam to screen for cancers of the thyroid, lymph nodes, skin, and testicles.
• Every 5 years: cholesterol check.

Men 40 to 65 years old:

• Every year:
  • physical exam to screen for cancers of skin, thyroid, lymph nodes, prostate, and rectum (this may include a PSA blood test for prostate cancer)

  • dental exam.
• Every 1 to 2 years:
  • height and weight measurement

  • blood pressure check

  • stool sample checked for blood

  • vision and glaucoma check.
• Every 3 to 5 years:
  • cholesterol check

  • blood sugar check

  • sigmoidoscopy after age 50 to screen for colon cancer.

Men over 65 years old:

• Every year:
  • weight measurement

  • blood pressure check

  • physical exam to screen for cancers of the skin, thyroid, lymph nodes, prostate, and rectum

  • stool sample checked for blood

  • dental exam.
• Every 1 to 3 years:
  • thyroid hormone check

  • blood count

  • cholesterol check

  • blood sugar check

  • hearing check

  • vision and glaucoma check

  • lab tests of urine sample.
• Every 3 to 5 years: sigmoidoscopy to screen for colon cancer.

What immunizations do I need to get?

As an adult, you should have the following shots:

• influenza vaccine every year, especially if you are over 65 years old

• tetanus (Td) booster at least every 10 years to protect against lockjaw (tetanus)

• pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine at age 65.

Should I have a PSA test?

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a blood test that can be helpful in detecting prostate cancer. There is some controversy, however, about the value of the PSA test and whether it should be done routinely for men over a certain age. Ask your health care provider whether he or she recommends a PSA in your specific situation.