Carson Tahoe HealthWritten by: Alexandra Kurek, MD
As we age, maintaining our health becomes less about treating illness and more about preventing it. Whether your goal is to travel, spend time with grandchildren, volunteer, or simply remain active and independent, preventive healthcare is one of the most important investments you can make.
Many chronic diseases and cancers develop silently, without noticeable symptoms. Screening can detect some conditions early, when they are often easier to treat. The right screening plan depends on your age, sex, family history, medical conditions, lifestyle, and previous test results.
Start With Your Annual Wellness Visit
For adults enrolled in Medicare, the Annual Wellness Visit provides an opportunity to focus on prevention. Your primary care provider can review your medications, vaccinations, lifestyle, family history, and health risks and create an individualized prevention plan.
Your provider can also help determine which screenings and laboratory tests are appropriate for you. Screening recommendations can vary somewhat among medical organizations, so your healthcare provider can help determine the schedule that best fits your health and risk factors.
Recommended Preventive Screenings
Blood pressure and cholesterol: Blood pressure should be checked regularly throughout adulthood, particularly as we get older. Cholesterol testing is also an important part of cardiovascular risk assessment. How often these tests are needed depends on your results, medical conditions, medications, and overall cardiovascular risk.
Diabetes: Screening for diabetes is commonly recommended beginning in the mid-30s, especially for adults who are overweight, obese, or have other risk factors. Your provider can determine how frequently you should be tested based on your individual risk.
Breast cancer: The American Cancer Society recommends that women have the opportunity to begin annual mammograms between ages 40 and 44, with regular annual screening beginning at 45. Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and expected to live at least another 10 years. Women at higher risk may need earlier or additional screening.
Colorectal cancer: Adults at average risk should begin screening around age 45. Colonoscopy is one option, while stool-based tests are also available. Screening generally continues through age 75 for people in good health. From approximately 76 to 85, the decision should be individualized based on overall health, life expectancy, previous screening, and personal preferences. Screening is generally not recommended after age 85.
Cervical cancer: People with a cervix at average risk should generally begin screening around age 25 and continue through at least age 65. Several testing options are available, including HPV testing, HPV testing combined with a Pap test, or Pap testing alone. The appropriate interval depends on the test used. People with a history of abnormal results or other risk factors may need a different schedule.
Bone health: Women should generally be screened for osteoporosis beginning at age 65, with earlier evaluation for postmenopausal women who have increased risk. Screening decisions for men should be individualized because evidence regarding routine screening is less certain.
Prostate cancer: Men should discuss prostate cancer screening with their healthcare provider, generally beginning around age 50 for those at average risk and earlier for men at higher risk. The decision to have PSA testing should consider the potential benefits, risks, family history, and life expectancy.
Lung cancer: Adults approximately 50 to 80 years old with a significant history of cigarette smoking may benefit from annual low-dose CT screening. Your provider can determine whether your smoking history and overall health make screening appropriate.
Other preventive testing may include hepatitis C and hepatitis B screening, abdominal aortic aneurysm screening for certain older adults, and laboratory testing such as blood sugar, cholesterol, kidney function, or other tests based on individual risk.
Don’t Forget Vaccinations
Prevention includes more than screening tests. Adults should stay current on age- and risk-based vaccinations, including influenza, COVID-19, shingles, pneumococcal, tetanus, and RSV vaccines when indicated.
Prevention Is About Living Well
Regular physical activity, a balanced diet, quality sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, and staying socially connected all contribute to healthy aging. Your primary care provider can also help address hearing and vision changes, depression, memory concerns, fall risk, and medication safety.
The goal of preventive care isn’t simply to add years to life. It is to help you remain healthy, active, and independent for as long as possible. Staying current with recommended screenings and discussing your personal risk factors with your healthcare provider can help you continue doing the things you love for years to come.
Alexandra Kurek, M.D., is a board-certified family medicine physician with Carson Tahoe Medical Group and is accepting new patients. For an appointment, please call (775) 445-5500.
