Health & Wellness · Preventive Care

Many serious health problems can be caught early — when treatment is most effective. Here is a clear guide to the screenings that matter most and when to get them.

Getting older doesn't mean just accepting whatever comes your way. The right screenings help you and your doctor spot potential issues before they become serious problems — not as a source of worry, but as one of the most powerful tools you have for staying well.

Think of these tests as a way to stay ahead of potential issues, not as something to fear. Early detection changes outcomes. Here is what adults over 65 should know.

Cardiovascular Health Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

Your heart works hard every single day, so it deserves attention. Blood pressure checks are one of the simplest yet most important things you can do. If you have high blood pressure, finding out means you can treat it before it damages your heart or blood vessels.

Cholesterol works the same way. High cholesterol doesn't make you feel sick, but it quietly builds up in your arteries over time. Your doctor will recommend how often to check based on your risk factors. If your levels are stable and healthy, you may not need as frequent tests after 65 — cholesterol levels tend to shift less as we get older. If you have other conditions, your doctor may recommend monitoring more often.

Early Detection Cancer Screenings

Cancer screening feels daunting to many people, but the entire point is to find something when treatment works best. After 65, these are the screenings that matter most:

• Colorectal Cancer Recommended through age 75 for adults in good overall health. Several screening approaches exist — your doctor can help identify the right fit.
• Breast Cancer A mammogram every one to two years is recommended for women through age 74. After that, the decision becomes personal and depends on your overall health picture.
• Cervical Cancer Most women can stop screening at 65 if they still have their cervix and have had normal results in the previous 10 years.
• Lung Cancer Adults between 50 and 80 who currently smoke or have a significant smoking history — at least 20 pack-years — should receive an annual low-dose CT scan.

Screening is not one-size-fits-all, especially as we age. Talk with your doctor about your individual history and risk factors.

Fracture Prevention Bone Density

Osteoporosis means bones are becoming thinner and more fragile — and you often can't feel it happening until a fall causes a serious fracture. The test itself is quick and painless: a low-dose X-ray that measures how dense your bones are.

All women 65 and older should have a bone density test. Men may want to ask their doctor about screening starting at 70, especially with risk factors like low body weight, smoking history, or a family history of fractures.

Metabolic Health Blood Sugar and Diabetes

Diabetes sneaks up on many people because there may be no obvious symptoms. Left untreated, it can lead to serious complications — heart disease, kidney damage, vision loss. Your doctor likely checks blood sugar as part of regular visits, especially if you're overweight, have a family history of diabetes, or belong to certain higher-risk groups. If you haven't been screened recently, ask.

Staying Connected Hearing and Vision

Hearing loss and vision changes are easy to dismiss as "part of getting older." But if you can't follow a conversation at a dinner table, or read a text from a grandchild, the cost isn't just sensory — you're at risk of losing connection to the people you love.

Get your eyes checked every one to two years and ask about screening for glaucoma and cataracts. If hearing feels harder than it used to, get a formal hearing test. Modern hearing aids are nothing like what was available a generation ago.

Brain Health Cognitive Screening

There is a difference between normal aging and something that needs attention. Misplacing your keys is one thing. Repeatedly forgetting conversations you had yesterday is worth mentioning to your doctor.

Cognitive screening is a simple test that can identify early issues when interventions are most helpful. If you have any concerns about memory or thinking, bring them up. There is no reason to wait.