It can sometimes feel overwhelming to keep track of everything you need to do to stay healthy. However, health screenings are one of the best ways to detect specific diseases, from certain types of cancer to more serious chronic conditions.

“Health screenings allow people to take charge of their well-being," said Sarah Uddin, MD, part of the family medicine team with RWJ Physician Enterprise.  “With regular check-ups and health screenings, you and your doctor are able to determine your overall wellness, as well as find potential problems earlier, increasing your chances for better treatment and cures.”

Here are six of the most common health screenings and what to expect at each.

Wellness/annual exams

Experts recommend that healthy adults get a yearly wellness exam.

In contrast with a physical – which can include involved tests, such as an EKG – this exam is an annual doctor's office visit that's more like a tune-up, where people can get simple screening tests (e.g., cholesterol or blood pressure) and make sure they're on the right track with healthy lifestyle choices.

Women’s health: Mammogram/pap smear

Two of the most common women's health-related procedures are a pap smear and a mammogram.

A pap smear is a test used to detect cervical cancer. Doctors will take a swab of cells from the cervix and test for any abnormalities, which might include the presence of a virus that can cause cancer (such as human papillomavirus (HPV)) or precancerous cells.

The Mayo Clinic recommends women start having pap smears every three years starting at the age of 21 until the age of 65.

A mammogram, meanwhile, involves x-raying the breasts so doctors have insights into any potential tissue changes that can't be detected during a regular clinical exam.

Mammograms can show calcifications (or calcium deposits, which can signify cancer if arranged in a certain configuration) and lumps or masses, which can also be benign or cancerous. The former type tends to be round and well-defined, while the latter's outline is uneven.

The American Cancer Society recommends that women between the ages of 45 to 54 get a mammogram annually, while those above age 55 can get them yearly or once every two years.

Those between the ages of 40 and 44 should consult their doctor about mammogram frequency.

Men's health: Prostate

Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in men, but is treatable if caught early, which means early detection is especially key.

One screening involves measuring the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in a man’s blood.

If the PSA comes in between 4 and 10, a man has a 25% chance of having prostate cancer, the American Cancer Society says. If the PSA is above 10, the chance of having prostate cancer jumps to over 50%.

Another screening, the digital rectal exam (DRE), involves a doctor manually examining the prostate gland with his finger.

Men should start getting screened as soon as at age 40 if they have family history of prostate cancer, although American Cancer Society guidelines recommend those at average risk start at age 50.

Heart screenings

The American Heart Association has identified six key screening tests to measure cardiovascular health.

Some of these things (including weight and blood pressure, and discussions of diet, exercise and whether you smoke) should happen during yearly wellness exams.

Starting at the age of 45, the organization recommends monitoring blood glucose levels, which can indicate insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes, every three years.

Cholesterol should be measured every four to six years starting at age 20.

And measuring waist circumference, which can be an indicator of developing cardiovascular problems, can be done on an as-needed basis.

What the results of these tests signify depends on your height, weight and age, so it's best to discuss findings with your doctor to determine next steps.

Colorectal cancer screenings

There are many different tests for colorectal cancer – an umbrella term for cancer that affects the colon and rectum – although the screenings take two forms.

One form examines a person's stool to look for signs of cancer, such as hidden blood. The other form is a visual screening of the rectum and colon, such as a colonoscopy, which can detect cancerous polyps.

The frequency of these tests varies: For example, experts recommend a colonoscopy every 10 years, so the American Cancer Society suggests people talk to their doctor to see what's best.

In general, the organization recommends people get regular colorectal cancer screenings between the ages of 45 and 75.

Those at risk of developing colorectal cancer due to family history with the disease or a diagnosis of inflammatory bowl disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, might need to start being screened (or tested more frequently) before the age of 45.


According to the CDC, osteoporosis, or a weakening of the bones, affects one in four women over the age of 65.

Detecting osteoporosis can be done with what the CDC calls dual/energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). This can also reveal low bone mass, which can also indicate someone might develop osteoporosis.

The CDC suggests women over the age of 65 get screened regularly, although women between the age of 50 and 64 who have risk factors (such as a family history of broken hips) should also get tested.


In all of these cases, early detection is key, which is why it's imperative people stay vigilant about their health and have regular screenings.

“Participating in preventive care, such as health screenings and annual exams, is one of the best things that a person can do to actively participate in their health,” said Luis Espina, MD, part of the family medicine team with Barnabas Health Medical Group. “Preventive care helps to increase your chances to live a longer, active and healthier life.”

Need a new primary care physician, internal medicine doctor or cardiologist? The doctors that practice and see outpatients within the Barnabas Health Medical Group/RWJ Physician Enterprise offer world-class medical care right in your community.


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