Baptist Health


Have you been screened?


The following lists identify what screenings you and you family should have at different points in your lifetime. If you have missed a screening, call your physician today and make an appointment or visit our events page to find out about upcoming screenings available in your area.

Recommended screenings for women

  • Obesity: Have your body mass index (BMI) calculated to screen for obesity. (BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight.) You can also find your own BMI with the BMI calculator from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at: http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/.
  • Breast Cancer: Have a mammogram every 1 to 2 years starting at age 40.
  • Cervical Cancer: Have a Pap smear every 1 to 3 years if you:
    • Have ever been sexually active.
    • Are between the ages of 21 and 65.
  • High Cholesterol: Have your cholesterol checked regularly starting at age 45. If you are younger than 45, talk to your doctor about whether to have your cholesterol checked if:
    • You have diabetes.
    • You have high blood pressure.
    • Heart disease runs in your family.
    • You smoke.
  • High Blood Pressure: Have your blood pressure checked at least every 2 years. High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher.
  • Colorectal Cancer: Have a test for colorectal cancer starting at age 50. Your doctor can help you decide which test is right for you. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, you may need to be screened earlier.
  • Diabetes: Have a test for diabetes if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
  • Depression: Your emotional health is as important as your physical health. If you have felt "down," sad, or hopeless over the last 2 weeks or have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things, you may be depressed. Talk to your doctor about being screened for depression.
  • Osteoporosis (Thinning of the Bones): Have a bone density test beginning at age 65 to screen for osteoporosis. If you are between the ages of 60 and 64 and weigh 154 lbs. or less, talk to your doctor about being tested.
  • Chlamydia and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections: Have a test for chlamydia if you are 25 or younger and sexually active. If you are older, talk to your doctor about being tested. Also ask whether you should be tested for other sexually transmitted diseases.
  • HIV: Have a test to screen for HIV infection if you:
    • Have had unprotected sex with multiple partners.
    • Are pregnant.
    • Have used or now use injection drugs.
    • Exchange sex for money or drugs or have sex partners who do.
    • Have past or present sex partners who are HIV-infected, are bisexual, or use injection drugs.
    • Are being treated for sexually transmitted diseases.
    • Had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985.

Recommended screening for men

  • Obesity: Have your body mass index (BMI) calculated to screen for obesity. (BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight.) You can also find your own BMI with the BMI calculator from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at: http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/.
  • High Cholesterol: Have your cholesterol checked regularly starting at age 35. If you are younger than 35, talk to your doctor about whether to have your cholesterol checked if:
    • You have diabetes.
    • You have high blood pressure.
    • Heart disease runs in your family.
    • You smoke.
  • High Blood Pressure: Have your blood pressure checked at least every 2 years. High blood pressure is 140/90 or higher.
  • Colorectal Cancer: Have a test for colorectal cancer starting at age 50. Your doctor can help you decide which test is right for you. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, you may need to be screened earlier.
  • Diabetes: Have a test for diabetes if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
  • Depression: Your emotional health is as important as your physical health. If you have felt "down," sad, or hopeless over the last 2 weeks or have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things, you may be depressed. Talk to your doctor about being screened for depression.
  • Sexually Transmitted Infections: Talk to your doctor to see whether you should be tested for gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, or other sexually transmitted infections.
  • HIV: Talk to your doctor about HIV screening if you:
    • Have had sex with men since 1975.
    • Have had unprotected sex with multiple partners.
    • Have used or now use injection drugs.
    • Exchange sex for money or drugs or have sex partners who do.
    • Have past or present sex partners who are HIV-infected, are bisexual, or use injection drugs.
    • Are being treated for sexually transmitted diseases.
    • Had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985.
  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. If you are between the ages of 65 and 75 and have ever smoked (100 or more cigarettes during your lifetime), you need to be screened once for abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is an abnormally large or swollen blood vessel in your abdomen.

Recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

Information on the Live Well site does not replace individual treatment or diagnosis by a physician.