Health

Plan Now

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“The best way to reduce stress is advance planning,” says Alice Domar, PhD. Experts recommend scheduling the following medical appointments for optimal preventive care.

In your 20s and older:

1. Primary care physician, trained in either family or internal medicine: Once a year (at minimum every other year). Checkup should include reading and fecal occult blood test to screen for problems including gastritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and colon cancer. You should also get a fasting blood sugar test every two years or so to screen for diabetes.

2. Gynecologist: Once a year. Includes Pap smear, pelvic exam, clinical breast exam, and, if you have a new sex partner, screenings for sexually transmitted diseases. If you have more than one sexual partner, you should have a Pap smear and STD tests every six months.

3. Dentist: Every six months for teeth cleaning and oral exam. 4. Dermatologist: If you’re fairskinned or have a family history of skin cancer, you’ll want an annual appointment. Otherwise, go if you have any suspicious moles or skin problems.

In your 30s, ADD:

5. Cholesterol screening: You need one every five years if your last test was normal. (These tests are often available at health fairs or through your internist.)

In your 40s, ADD:

6. Mammogram: Use your intuition and common sense based on your health and family history, and discuss your decision with your doctor.

7. Stress echocardiogram: Get a baseline analysis of how your heart is holding up. 8. Ophthalmologist: Many doctors recommend visits every two to four years until age 65, then annually. The visit should include an intraocular pressure measurement for glaucoma.

In your 50s and above, ADD:

9. Colonoscopy: Every five years. 10. Bone density scan: Start routine testing at menopause— earlier if you’re small-framed, your weight is very low, or you have a mother with osteoporosis.

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