Alert
Close

You could win $50,000! First step — an easy retirement quiz. Try AARP's Perfect Path to Retirement Giveaway now!

Highlights

Close

Reebok

Members save on online purchases
and at Reebok
Outlet Stores

Brain Health & Staying Sharp

Watch AARP Live 6/20 at 10 PM ET

Tickets Icon

Tickets From Live Nation

4 for the price of 3

Technical Icon

Spanish Preferred?

Visit aarp.org/espanol

Find Your Perfect Path to Retirement

You could
win $50,000

Contests and
Sweeps

You Could Win $50,000!

Plus you’ll get free tips and tools to help you find your perfect path to retirement
See official rules.

Health
Webinars

Learn From the Experts

Sign up now for an upcoming webinar or find materials from a past session.

learning
centers

Get smart strategies for managing health conditions.

 

Arthritis

Heart Disease

Diabetes

Most Popular
Articles

Viewed

Recommended

Commented

The Health Screenings You Need at 50+

Here’s what medical experts recommend, based on your gender and age

  • Text
  • Print
  • Comments
  • Recommend

HEALTH SCREENINGS FOR MEN, AGES 65 TO 74

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening

What is it?    
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a bulging in the abdominal aorta, the largest artery in your body. This onetime ultrasound test detects abnormalities in the aortic wall.

When to get it?
If you are between the ages of 65 and 75 and have ever smoked

Blood Pressure Screening

What is it?    
A test that measures the force of blood flow through your arteries   

When to get it?    
At least every two years

Cholesterol Screening

What is it?
A blood test that measures cholesterol levels, including LDL (low-density lipoprotein, the "bad" cholesterol); HDL (high-density lipoprotein, the "good" cholesterol); and total cholesterol.

When to get it?    
Screen at least every five years.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

What is it?    
Three methods are recommended for colorectal cancer screening. A colonoscopy uses a camera to check for cancer, polyps, ulcers and other abnormalities in the colon and rectum. A sigmoidoscopy also uses a camera to check for those conditions, but only in the pelvic colon and rectum. Stool sample tests check for blood in the stool.

When to get it?
For all methods, start at age 50 and stop at age 75. For colonoscopy, every 10 years or more often if you have risk factors. For sigmoidoscopy, every five years or more often if you have risk factors. For stool sample tests, every year.

Next: Health screenings for men, 75+ »

Topic Alerts

You can get weekly email alerts on the topics below. Just click “Follow.”

Manage Alerts

Processing

Please wait...

progress bar, please wait

Related Video

Patients should prepare for their doctor visits. Know the medications you’re taking and ask questions about them. Watch

Tell Us WhatYou Think

Please leave your comment below.

You must be signed in to comment.

Sign In | Register

More comments »

Health Blog

Discounts & Benefits

bring health To Life-Visual MD

featured
Groups

Social Security

How to strengthen Social Security for future generations. Discuss

Medicare & Insurance

Share health coverage information and experiences common to being age 50+. Join

Health Nuts

Share heart-smart recipes, fitness tips and stress relievers. Join