Even if you feel fine, you should still see your provider for regular checkups. These visits can help you avoid problems in the future. For example, the only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly. High blood sugar and high cholesterol levels also may not have any symptoms in the early stages. A simple blood test can check for these conditions.
- If you are over age 44, you should be screened every 3 years.
- Once cholesterol screening has started, your cholesterol should be checked every 5 years.
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years along with a fecal occult blood test every 3 years.
