Ages 40–64 Years: Exams and Screening Tests

Exam/Screening Test

What and Why

When

Cervical cancer screening

A sample of cells is taken from the cervix to look for changes that could lead to cancer (Pap test); this test may be combined with testing for human papillomavirus in women aged 30 years and older

Preferred: Pap test and human papillomavirus testing (co-testing) every 5 years 

Optional: Pap test alone every 3 years

Clinical breast exam

Breast exam by a health care provider

Yearly

Colorectal cancer screening

Screening tests to look for cancer of the colon and rectum

Colonoscopy every 10 years (preferred) or other screening test beginning at age 50 years. African Americans should begin screening at age 45 years.

Other methods include the following tests:

• Yearly fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test  with high sensitivity for cancer

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years

• Double contrast barium enema test every 5 years

• Computed tomography every 5 years

• Fecal DNA test (interval unknown)

Diabetes testing

A test to measure the level of glucose (a sugar that is present in the blood and is the body’s main source of fuel) because high levels could be a sign of diabetes mellitus

Every 3 years after age 45 years

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test

A test to check for HIV, a virus that can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

At least once during your lifetime; review annually for risk factors to determine if repeat testing is needed

Lipid profile assessment

A test used to assess the risk of heart disease that measures the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood

Every 5 years beginning at age 45 years

Mammography

An X-ray of the breast to look for breast cancer

Yearly

Thyroid-stimulating hormone screening

A test to check if your thyroid gland is working correctly

Every 5 years beginning at age 50 years