The checkup guide

Two answers, and your checks appear.

Start with your age and sex: your checks light up on the body straight away. That is all you need. If you like, add what you know and the answer gets sharper.

How old are you?

What was your sex at birth?

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Your checks will light up here.

This tool needs JavaScript. Here is everything it can show, by age:

Do these

Blood pressure
Every year from 40, or if you are at higher risk. Every 3 to 5 years from 18 to 39 if your readings are normal.
18+
Colorectal cancer
From 45 to 75. Choices include a stool test every year or a colonoscopy every 10 years.
45–75
Breast cancer: mammogram
Every two years from 40 to 74.
40–74 · Female
Cervical cancer
A Pap test every 3 years from 21 to 29. From 30 to 65, an HPV test every 5 years, or a Pap test every 3 years.
21–65 · Female
Lung cancer: low-dose CT
Once a year, for a heavy smoking history if you smoke now or quit within the last 15 years.
50–80
Abdominal aortic aneurysm: ultrasound
Once, for men 65 to 75 who have ever smoked.
65–75 · Male
Osteoporosis: bone density scan
For women 65 and older.
65+ · Female
Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: blood test
Every 3 years from 35 to 70 if you have overweight or obesity.
35–70
Hepatitis C: blood test
At least once between 18 and 79.
18–79
HIV: blood test
At least once between 15 and 65.
15–65
Depression, and anxiety up to 64: a short questionnaire
A few questions at a routine visit.
18+
Unhealthy alcohol use: a short questionnaire
A few questions at a routine visit.
18+

Ask your doctor about these

Colorectal cancer after 75
Depends on your health and how you were screened before.
76–85
Mammogram after 74
The evidence is not clear either way.
75+ · Female
Prostate cancer: PSA blood test
A personal decision between 55 and 69, after weighing the benefits and harms with your doctor.
55–69 · Male
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (never smoked)
Selective, depending on your history.
65–75 · Male
Bone density before 65
Recommended if you are past menopause and at higher risk of fracture.
50–64 · Female
Lung cancer: low-dose CT
Recommended yearly if you have smoked about 20 pack-years and smoke now or quit within 15 years.
50–80
Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: blood test
Recommended every 3 years if your BMI is 25 or more.
35–70
Cholesterol and heart risk
A cholesterol test helps your doctor estimate your heart risk and decide whether a statin would help.
40–75
Genetic counseling: breast and ovarian cancer risk
A close relative had breast or ovarian cancer. A short risk check shows whether a genetics appointment would help. Best arranged at home, where follow-up can happen.
18+ · Female

Extras the guidelines don’t recommend

Low-dose chest CT
Recommended only for a heavy smoking history. Many packages abroad include it for everyone.
18+
Tumor-marker blood tests (CEA, AFP, CA 19-9 and others)
Not recommended to screen people at average risk. They are mainly for monitoring people already diagnosed.
18+
Thyroid ultrasound
Recommended against for adults without symptoms.
18+
Ovarian cancer: CA-125 or pelvic ultrasound
Recommended against for women without symptoms.
18+ · Female
Pancreatic cancer screening
Recommended against for adults without symptoms.
18+
ECG for adults at low heart risk
Recommended against.
18+
Carotid artery ultrasound
Recommended against for adults without symptoms.
18+
Lung function test without symptoms
Recommended against.
18+
PSA test after 69
Recommended against.
70+ · Male
Whole-body MRI or CT
Radiologists say there is not enough evidence to recommend it for people without symptoms.
18+

Based on recommendations in force in October 2026. The task force has not met since March 2025; in 2026 two of its leaders were dismissed and eight new members appointed, so recommendations may change. Every item links to its official page.

Most private health plans must cover these with no copay or deductible in-network, under the Affordable Care Act. Medicare covers them as well, each with its own rules on how often.

Family history rule (US Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, 2017): with a parent, brother, sister or child who had colon cancer, checks start at 40. If they were diagnosed before 60, or two close relatives had it, a colonoscopy every 5 years, starting at 40 or 10 years before the youngest relative’s age at diagnosis, whichever is earlier. "Last test" answers are ranges, so next dates are estimated from the middle of the range.

General information, not medical advice. Family history, symptoms and past results can change what is right for you. Take this list to your own doctor.

Organ illustrations: Servier Medical Art (smart.servier.com), licensed under CC BY 4.0, cropped and combined by East&Well. The body scan is our own drawing.

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