Preventive Care Guidelines
"How often should I visit my doctor?"
It's a question asked often by healthy adults. The Preventive Health Care Guidelines have been prepared by Sutter Health physicians to help you understand the need to schedule preventive medical care.
- Birth - 18 Years
- 19 to 39 Years
- 40 to 49 Years
- 50 to 64 Years
- 65 & Over
- Definition of Terms
- Printable versions
Birth - 18 Years
Immunizations/Vaccinations
The following immunizations should be given between birth and 18 years. As different vaccine schedules are required depending upon the vaccine product and type your group uses, consult your pediatrician or family physician for the best schedule for your child:
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19 to 39 Years
Women's Health
Pap Smear: At the onset of sexual activity and every 3 years
Chlamydia: Every year at the onset of sexual activity through age 25
Immunizations/Vaccinations
Tetanus-diphtheria: Booster every 10 years
Laboratory Testing
Lipid Screening: Men begin at 35
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40 to 49 Years
Women's Health
Pap Smear: At least every three years
Mammogram*: Every 1-2 years starting at 40
Laboratory Testing
Cholesterol: Every 5 years, women begin at 45
Immunizations/Vaccinations
Tetanus-diphtheria: Booster every 10 years
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50 to 64 Years
Sigmoidoscopy1: At least every 10 years; *optional every five years
and
Fecal Occult Blood1: Annually
Women's Health
Pap Smear: At least every three years.
Mammogram: Every 1-2 years
Laboratory Testing
Lipid Screen: Every five years
PSA (for men): *Optional annually
Immunizations/Vaccinations
Tetanus-diphtheria: Booster every 10 years
1Fecal Occult Blood screening should be combined with sigmoidoscopy. Colonoscopy every 10 years is an acceptable alternative to the conbined FOBT and sigmoidoscopy screening.
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65 & Over
Sigmoidoscopy1: At least every 10 years until age 70; optional every five years
Fecal Occult Blood: Annually until 80
Women's Health
Pap Smear: At least every 5 years until age 65
Mammogram: Every 1-2 years until age 75
Bone Density: Optional annually until 70
Laboratory Testing
Lipid Screen: Every 5 years until age 65*
PSA (for men): Optional annually until 70
Immunizations/Vaccinations
Tetanus-diphtheria: Booster every 10 years
Influenza: Optional annually until age 65, then annually
Pneumococcal: At age 65
*Screening is discretionary after age indicated. Discuss risks & benefits of screening with your primary care provider.
1: Studies to confirm benefit have not been conducted
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Definition of Terms
Pap Smear: A test for abnormal cervical cells which can indicate increased risk of cervical cancer. This is not a test for uterine or ovarian cancer. Pap smears are done during an internal pelvic exam. Read more about Pap Smears.
Chlamydia Screening Test: A screening test for detecting chlamydia, a curable sexually transmitted infection that can cause scarring, infertility and chronic pelvic infection. Read more about Chlamydia Testing
Fecal Occult Blood: A screening test for hidden blood in the stool, which may be a sign of colon cancer. Read more about the Fecal Occult Blood Test .
Sigmoidoscopy: An internal inspection of the lower colon to screen for cancer and polyps (pre-cancerous growths) Read more about Sigmoidoscopy.
Colonoscopy
An internal inspection of the entire colon to screen
for cancer and polyps (pre-cancerous growths).
Read more about Colonscopy
Lipid Screen: A blood test for detecting levels of fats and cholesterol that can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Read more about a Lipid Screen.
PSA: (Prostrate Specific Antigen) A blood test for measuring a protein. High levels may be associated with prostate cancer. Read more about PSA.
Mammogram: A low dose breast x-ray to screen for breast cancer. Read more about Mammography.
Bone Density Test: A low dose x-ray to screen for the thinning and weakening of bones, which increase the risk of osteoporosis and fracture. Read more about Bone Density testing.
References
References and supporting literature:
- American Academy of Family Physicians. Clinician's Handbook of Preventive Services. U.S. Public Health Services; 1994.
Case-Control Study of Screening Sigmoidoscopy and Mortality from Colorectal Cancer. Selby, J. NEJM 1992; 326:653-7. - Efficacy of Screening Mammography. Kerlikowski, K. JAMA. 1995; 273:149-154.
- Screening for Colorectal Cancer. Toribara, N. NEJM 1995; 332:861-867.
- Screening for Cervical Cancer. Eddy, D. Annals of Internal Medicine 1990; 113:214-226.
- Screening for Prostate Cancer. Krahn, M. JAMA. 1994; 272:773-780. U.S Preventive Services Task Force. Guide to Clinical Preventive Services. Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins, 1996.
- Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Clinical Practice. Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins, 1996.
Colorectal Cancer Screening Clinical Guidelines. Rational Winawer, S. et al. Gastroenterology 1997;112:594-642.
- Healthwise Handbook. Donald W. Kemper, Healthwise, Inc.
Caring for Your Baby and Young Child. The American Academy of Pediatrics. - Take Care of Yourself. By Vickery & Fries.
- Taking Care of Your Child. By Pantell, Vickery & Fries.
- Living Well. Taking Care of Your Health in the Middle and Later Years. By Fries.
- Cuidate: Guia para una mejor atencion medica. By Vickery & Fries.
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Printable versions
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