We are required to perform at least one thorough medical checkup in a year. This starts from when we are born till our last days. We go to these regular checkups to see if our physical body is functioning properly. This disregard other hospital visits that we go to for current medical conditions or sudden illnesses. These medical checkups are performed so we can take charge of our health. This will allow us to detect possible health risk and how to prevent them from getting worse. Schedule an appointment with your trusted health care provider and discuss with them, the needed exams and screening you need to take and when you’re going to need them.
Why are regular medical checkups important?
As we age, we tend to need different types of exams and screening. This is due to the higher risk of certain diseases as we grow older. Being able to detect this health problem early on can give you a better fighting chance to conquer any future diseases. It’s important to take note on your lifestyle choices, family history and other important information that your doctor needs to know. This will give them a better estimate of what types of screening and test you need for your checkups.
Look through below on your ideal medical checkups through the years.
20’s Men
- Testicular Cancer – This disease often affects men that are in their 20’s, getting yourself checked once a year can help with early detection.
- Melanoma – Melanoma in men in their 20s has increased by 3% every year.
- High Cholesterol – This is one of the leading sign of heart disease.
20’s Women
- High Cholesterol – This can affect women in their early 20’s.
- Breast Cancer – Any women that have a family history of breast cancer should get checked annually starting in their 20’s.
- HPV – This is the leading cause of cervical cancer. Make sure to get pelvic exams and pap smear yearly.
- Melanoma – Leading from of cancer in ages 25 – 29 and 2nd leading form of cancer for ages 15- 25.
30’s Men
- Men in their 30’s are more prone to Type 2 Diabetes and Heart disease. Get a blood sugar test every 5 years, annually if overweight.
- 15% of cancers in men in the age of 30 to 40 are testicular cancer.
- Melanoma risk increases by 11%.
- Colorectal cancer are 10% more prone to men in their 30 to 40.
30’s Women
- This is the time where pelvic exams and pap smears are annually important to identify any cervical abnormalities.
- Women that have a family history of breast cancer have a high risk of showing symptoms in their 30’s
- Women over 30 are 18% more prone to getting type 2 diabetes. Get your blood sugar checked every five years.
40’s Men
- Physical aging is more pronounced.
- Colorectal cancer has increased risk in men over 40. The risk increases by 50%.
- Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in men. The risk of heart disease increases 3 times, once you reach the age of 40.
- Male cancer, men over the age of 45 have a higher risk of prostate cancer. This is essentially important for men with a family history of male cancer.
40’s Women
- Ovarian cancer is common in women over the age of 40.
- Breast cancer is the leading form of cancer in women ages 40 to 50.
- Heart disease is more common in women at age 40 to 50 and is the number one cause of death over the age of 40.
- It’s important to have an annual mammogram and bone density testing every 3 years to help reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Men 50’s
- Heart disease is the number 1 cause of death in men over 50.
- Men over 50 have a higher risk of prostate cancer. 1 out of 38 men develop prostate cancer.
- There is a 20% increased risk of colon cancer when we reach our 50s.
- 25% of most strokes occur between the age of 50 to 65
Women 50’s
- Women are 25% more prone to stroke between the age of 50 to 65
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women in their 50’s.
- Osteoporosis affect half the women over 50.
- Colon cancer and ovarian cancer are common in women over 50.
Men and Women over 60’s
- During this age and beyond it, you are more prone to serious illnesses and should follow a strict diet, exercise regime and more frequent medical checkups.
It’s always best to be prepared in any medical situation. Always remember the importance of your medical checkups, especially when we grow older. It doesn’t mean it’s not okay to not go to the hospital because you don’t feel anything. Be prepared!
