Medical Screening Guidelines for Ages 18-39
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Recommended Screenings from the National Institutes of Health and Riverside’s Cancer Care Network
Blood Pressure
Blood Pressure
- Screening for high blood pressure in adults should occur during annual wellness visits or at least every 3-5 years, if blood pressure is in the normal range of 120/80 or below.
- High blood pressure may be diagnosed after two consecutive readings that return elevated results.
Cholesterol
Cholesterol
- Routine screening for high cholesterol in young adults should occur every five years, if levels remain normal and there are no risk factors to consider.
- Men with no known risk factors typically start their cholesterol screening at age 35 while women should start screening at 45.
- Men and women with known risk factors should start cholesterol checks at age 20.
- It’s recommended that cholesterol should be retested for both men and women every five years, unless there are other health issues or factors that would require testing more frequently. Talk with your health care provider to determine what is best for you.
Immunizations
Immunizations
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause different types of cancer. An HPV vaccination can prevent the cancers it causes and according to the CDC, 90% of cancers caused by HPV could be prevented with the HPV vaccine. This vaccine can be administered for men and women up until the age of 26.
- After age 19, you should have a one-time tetanus-diphtheria and acellular pertussis vaccine as one of your tetanus-diphtheria vaccines. This is also called the Tdap vaccine. You should then have a Tdap booster every 10 years.
- Annual flu vaccinations are recommended for all adults.
- Your health care provider may recommend other immunizations if you are at high risk for conditions or if you have not received a vaccine for some conditions such as:
- Pneumonia
- Chicken pox
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
- Hepatitis B
Physical Exam
Physical Exam
- It’s recommended that adults between the ages of 18-39 complete a physical exam every two years to establish a baseline and measure changes for certain screening results such as blood pressure.
- Measurements such as height, weight and body mass index (BMI) are generally taken during these visits so your provider can evaluate any changes early on and address them, if needed.
- Establishing a long-term partnership with a health care provider can ensure that any issues that arise can be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible.
Screenings for Women
Screenings for Women
- Beginning at age 21, women should have Pap smears every three years to check for cervical cancer. Beginning at age 30 a Pap smear is recommended every three years or when a Pap smear is combined with HPV co-testing, it is recommended every five years.
- Starting at age 25 through age 39, women should have a clinical breast exam performed every three years.
Other Screenings
Other Screenings
- Screening for prediabetes and diabetes typically begin around age 35 for those without preexisting conditions. Routine screenings are then usually conducted every 3 years after that, or more frequently if risk factors increase.
- For sexually active adults aged 18-25, screening for infectious diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea should be done routinely. After age 25, screening for these diseases should be done after a known or suspected exposure.
- It’s recommended that all adults aged 18-79 receive a one-time Hepatitis C screening test, and adults aged 15-65 receive a one-time HIV test. Additional tests may be needed depending on individual lifestyle circumstances.
- It is recommended that adults should complete routine self-checks to look for any moles or growths on the skin that appear irregular and should be shown to a health care provider.
Blood Pressure
- Screening for high blood pressure in adults should occur during annual wellness visits or at least every 3-5 years, if blood pressure is in the normal range of 120/80 or below.
- High blood pressure may be diagnosed after two consecutive readings that return elevated results.
Cholesterol
- Routine screening for high cholesterol in young adults should occur every five years, if levels remain normal and there are no risk factors to consider.
- Men with no known risk factors typically start their cholesterol screening at age 35 while women should start screening at 45.
- Men and women with known risk factors should start cholesterol checks at age 20.
- It’s recommended that cholesterol should be retested for both men and women every five years, unless there are other health issues or factors that would require testing more frequently. Talk with your health care provider to determine what is best for you.
Immunizations
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause different types of cancer. An HPV vaccination can prevent the cancers it causes and according to the CDC, 90% of cancers caused by HPV could be prevented with the HPV vaccine. This vaccine can be administered for men and women up until the age of 26.
- After age 19, you should have a one-time tetanus-diphtheria and acellular pertussis vaccine as one of your tetanus-diphtheria vaccines. This is also called the Tdap vaccine. You should then have a Tdap booster every 10 years.
- Annual flu vaccinations are recommended for all adults.
- Your health care provider may recommend other immunizations if you are at high risk for conditions or if you have not received a vaccine for some conditions such as:
- Pneumonia
- Chicken pox
- Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)
- Hepatitis B
Physical Exam
- It’s recommended that adults between the ages of 18-39 complete a physical exam every two years to establish a baseline and measure changes for certain screening results such as blood pressure.
- Measurements such as height, weight and body mass index (BMI) are generally taken during these visits so your provider can evaluate any changes early on and address them, if needed.
- Establishing a long-term partnership with a health care provider can ensure that any issues that arise can be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible.
Screenings for Women
- Beginning at age 21, women should have Pap smears every three years to check for cervical cancer. Beginning at age 30 a Pap smear is recommended every three years or when a Pap smear is combined with HPV co-testing, it is recommended every five years.
- Starting at age 25 through age 39, women should have a clinical breast exam performed every three years.
Other Screenings
- Screening for prediabetes and diabetes typically begin around age 35 for those without preexisting conditions. Routine screenings are then usually conducted every 3 years after that, or more frequently if risk factors increase.
- For sexually active adults aged 18-25, screening for infectious diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea should be done routinely. After age 25, screening for these diseases should be done after a known or suspected exposure.
- It’s recommended that all adults aged 18-79 receive a one-time Hepatitis C screening test, and adults aged 15-65 receive a one-time HIV test. Additional tests may be needed depending on individual lifestyle circumstances.
- It is recommended that adults should complete routine self-checks to look for any moles or growths on the skin that appear irregular and should be shown to a health care provider.