Screening Tests and Immunizations Guidelines for Women (Part 3 of 4)

These charts are guidelines only. Your doctor or nurse will personalize the timing of each test and immunization to meet your health care needs. Check with your insurance plan to find out which tests are covered.

Screening tests	Ages 18–39	Ages 40–49	Ages 50–64	Ages 65 and older
Colorectal health (use 1 of these 3 methods): Fecal occult blood test			Yearly	Yearly. Older than age 75, discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy (with fecal occult blood test)			Every 5 years	Every 5 years. Older than 75, discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Colonoscopy			Every 10 years	Every 10 years, Older than 75, discuss with your doctor or nurse.
Eye and ear health: Comprehensive eye exam	Discuss with your doctor.	Get a baseline exam at age 40, then every 2–4 years or as your doctor advises.	Every 2–4 years until age 55, then every 1-3 years until age 65, or as your doctor advises	Every 1–2 years
Hearing test	Starting at age 18, then every 10 years	Every 10 years	Every 3 years	Every 3 years

Additional Resources:

Publications

Fact Sheet — Colon and Rectal Cancer — This fact sheet provides a short explanation of this common cancer and the importance of screening.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/colon-cancer-rectum.cfm

Colonoscopy — This fact sheet explains what a colonoscopy is and why it is performed, how to prepare for one, and how the procedure is performed.

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colonoscopy/index.htm

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy — This publication explains what flexible sigmoidoscopy is, why and how it is performed, how it differs from colonoscopy, and how to prepare for one.

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/sigmoidoscopy/

What You Need To Know About Cancer of the Colon and Rectum — This booklet provides information on the symptoms, detection, diagnosis, possible causes, and treatment of cancer of the colon and rectum. It also provides information to help people understand their personal risk of colon and rectal cancer, the importance of screening, and what to expect if cancer is found.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/colon-and-rectum

What You Should Know About Low Vision — This booklet helps people with vision loss and their families and friends better understand low vision. It describes how to get help for vision loss and tips for living safely and more independently.

http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/lowvision/LowVisPatBro2.pdf

Hearing Screening (Copyright © American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) — Hearing screening is important for people of all ages, especially newborns and people over 50. This publication discusses why and how hearing screening is performed among newborns, school aged children, and adults.

http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/testing/

Organizations

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last reviewed: November 16, 2009.

Preventive Health