Your Yearly Checkup:
Which Tests do You Need?

Many people see their healthcare provider yearly for a physical examination. Providers have often ordered certain screening tests routinely, but in light of current research, it appears that some of these tests are unnecessary for healthy adults with no symptoms of illness.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) periodically reviews the medical evidence for preventive screening tests and recommends the following routine screenings:

• Pap test
• Mammogram
• Colorectal screening
• Cholesterol screening
• High blood pressure check

The USPSTF has failed to find strong evidence to support the routine performance of the following screenings in most healthy adults:

• Metabolic panel or electrolytes
• Blood count
• Urinalysis
• Thyroid function
• Electrocardiogram
• Chest X-ray

In addition, the USPSTF finds that there is insufficient evidence to support routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing for prostate cancer. In fact, the PSA test for screening is very controversial, with a lack of consensus among medical experts. For more information about prostate cancer and the PSA test, visit http://patients.uptodate.com/topic.asp?file=cancer/6435.

Please talk with your healthcare provider about the routine testing that is most appropriate for you.

Please remember: The above information refers to healthy adults without symptoms of disease. Patients with chronic diseases or other active medical problems may need these or other tests.

Back to Top