8 Healthy habits like eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep are important tools to help you live well. Here’s another one to add to your tool belt: getting regular health screenings. Routine screenings don’t replace regular checkups with your healthcare provider. But they are another essential part of preventive healthcare. They can find signs of problems or diseases at earlier stages, when they may be easier to treat. Screenings could even save your life. The type and frequency of tests you need depend on many factors. Talk with your provider about which screenings you need and the screening schedule that’s right for you. Talk to your provider about these essential health screenings. Blood pressure. This test measures the force of your blood flow. High blood pressure raises your risk for stroke and heart disease, and it often has no symptoms. Breast cancer. A mammogram is a special X-ray that takes pictures of breast tissue. It can reveal early signs of cancer or other changes in the breasts. Cervical cancer. The HPV test and the Pap test can detect abnormalities in cervical tissue that could be cancer. Cholesterol. This blood test measures your HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. High cholesterol increases your risk for cardiovascular disease. Colorectal cancer. There are many testing options to check for cancerous growths in the colon. One option is a colonoscopy, which can find and remove growths during the procedure. Diabetes. This blood test, taken while you’re fasting, measures your blood glucose (blood sugar). High levels may put you at higher risk for diabetes. Eye exam. A comprehensive eye exam provided by an eye doctor looks for vision changes and eye problems that could need treatment. Some eye problems can also indicate other health issues. Lung cancer. If you smoke or used to smoke, a lowdose CT scan can check for lung changes that could be cancer or another issue. Osteoporosis. A bone density scan checks the strength and density of your bones. Low bone density can indicate osteoporosis and raise your risk for bone fractures. Prostate cancer. A PSA test is a blood test that measures prostate-specific antigen levels. You may need this test if you have an average or higher-than-average risk for prostate cancer. Top screenings for folks over 40 Sources: American Cancer Society; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; American Diabetes Association; American Heart Association; American Optometric Association 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Top 10 health screenings
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