Start the Year Strong with Preventive Health Screenings
Learn age-based screenings for cancer, diabetes and more
Learn age-based screenings for cancer, diabetes and more
With so many of our New Year’s resolutions being health-focused, it makes sense to add a visit to your primary care doctor to the list.
Health screenings are a cornerstone of preventive care, helping to detect issues early, manage risk factors and maintain overall well-being.
The start of the new year is the perfect time to get proactive about your health and talk with your primary care physician to create a personalized screening plan tailored to your needs.
“An annual physical is a good idea,” says Kathryn McHenry, DO, a family medicine physician at Scripps Coastal Medical Center Jefferson in Oceanside. “That’s a chance for us to connect with patients, review all aspects of their health, check in on their health goals, identify any early stages of a condition or disease.”
Recommended screenings for adults
General recommendations include blood pressure checks, cholesterol tests and screenings for certain diseases. While specific screenings vary based on age, gender and individual health risks, common screening guidelines for adults, include:
- Ages 21–65: Cervical cancer screenings every three to five years for women
- Ages 35 to 75: Prediabetes and diabetes screenings for adults who are overweight
- Age 40 and older: Mammograms every one to two years for women
- Age 45 and older: Colonoscopy every 10 years for adults
- Age 50 to 69: Prostate cancer screenings for men
- Age 65 and older: Osteoporosis screenings for women
Don’t forget vaccinations
Vaccinations are another essential part of preventive care throughout adulthood. During your annual visit, talk with your doctor about staying up to date on routine vaccines such as the:
- Flu shot
- COVID-19 seasonal vaccines
- Shingles vaccine
- Pneumonia vaccines for eligible adults
“Starting the year off right with an annual physical sets the tone for a proactive approach to health,” says Dr. McHenry. “The beginning of the year is a nice time to reflect on the past 12 months and what worked for your health or what you’d like to change.”
“A big part of family medicine is prevention. Many of the tests we offer are to help prevent chronic diseases. Catching those in the early stages can make a big difference, helping you live a longer, healthier life.”
How preventive screenings begin early
Preventive care starts early. For young adults, regular screenings help reinforce healthy habits and detect potential issues early, as conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, can begin to develop at this stage.
These visits also provide an opportunity to discuss recommended screenings and vaccinations based on individual risk factors.
These screenings may include:
- Mental health screening for anxiety, depression and stress
- Blood pressure checks during routine visits
- Cholesterol testing, especially if not completed between ages 17–21
- Sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing for sexually active individuals
- Cervical cancer screening beginning at age 21
- Routine immunizations, including flu, COVID-19, Tdap booster and completion of HPV and meningococcal vaccines
Well-child visits
Preventive care begins even earlier in childhood. Well-child visits lay the groundwork for lifelong health by tracking growth, development and age-appropriate milestones.
These visits also give families an opportunity to talk with their child’s doctor about recommended screenings and staying up to date on vaccinations based on age and individual health needs.
Screenings in childhood and adolescence typically include:
- Vision and hearing checks
- Growth and nutrition monitoring
- Developmental and behavioral screenings, including early autism screening
- Mental health screening for older children and teens
- Cholesterol checks between ages 9–11 and again 17–21
- STI screening for sexually active teens
- Routine childhood immunizations following the American Academy of Pediatrics schedule.
These early screenings help identify concerns at their most treatable stages and support healthy development through every life stage.
This content appeared in San Diego Health, a publication in partnership between Scripps and San Diego Magazine that celebrates the healthy spirit of San Diego.