Screening tests can catch diseases early and when they are easier to treat. The U.S. health experts Preventive Services Task Force (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force of the United States) have made recommendations based on scientific evidence, about testing for the conditions described below.
Obesity
Calculate your Body Mass Index (Body Mass Index or BMI, in English) to detect obesity. The BMI is a measure of body fat based on your height and weight.
You can get your own BMI with the BMI calculator from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (National Heart, Lung, and Blood).
High cholesterol
Check your cholesterol regularly after 35 years of age.
If you are under 35 years of age, talk to your doctor whether you should monitor your cholesterol if:
Diabetes
If you have high blood pressure.
If heart disease runs in your family.
If you smoke.
High Blood Pressure
Check your pressure at least every two years. The pressure is considered high if it is 140/90 or higher.
Colorectal Cancer
Become a colorectal cancer screening from 50 years of age. Your doctor can help you decide which tests are right for you. If there is a history of colorectal cancer in your family, you should examine you before.
Diabetes
Become a test for diabetes if you have the pressure or high cholesterol.
Depression
Your emotional health is as important as your physical health. If you’ve felt “down,” sad or hopeless over the last two weeks or have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things, you may be depressed. Talk to your doctor about whether you should get screened for depression.
Sexually transmitted infections
Talk with your doctor whether you should get tests for gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and other sexually transmitted infections.
HIV
Talk to your doctor about testing for HIV if:
Have you had sex with men since 1975.
You had unprotected sex with multiple partners.
Have you used or use injection drugs.
Exchange sex for money or drugs or have sex partners who do.
You’ve had couples in the present or past that are infected with HIV, are bisexual, or use injection drugs.
You are being treated for sexually transmitted diseases.
You had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985.