What are the most important annual check-ups and health screenings I should be getting?

Staying on top of preventive care is one of the best ways to catch potential health issues before they become serious . While the exact schedule depends on your age, sex, and family history, a solid baseline of core annual check-ups and milestone screenings keeps you protected.

Core Annual (Or Routine) Check-Ups

• Annual Physical / Well-Person Exam: A yearly chat and basic exam with your primary care provider to review your lifestyle, medications, and overall wellness.
• Blood Pressure Screening: Checked at least annually (and often at every medical visit) starting at age 18 to screen for hypertension.
• Blood Sugar / Diabetes Screening: Often recommended starting around age 35 (or earlier if you have risk factors like a high BMI or family history) via a Fasting Blood Glucose or HbA1c test.
• Cholesterol / Lipid Panel: Heart health blood tests typically advised starting around age 19 and repeated regularly depending on your cardiovascular risk.
• Dental Check-Up: Professional cleanings and oral exams every 6 months.
• Eye Exam: Every 1 to 2 years for adults, shifting to annual exams later in life or if you wear corrective lenses/have conditions like diabetes.

Essential Age- and Gender-Specific Screenings

• Colorectal Cancer Screening: Recommended for average-risk adults starting at age 45 (via colonoscopy, stool-based tests like Cologuard or FIT, etc.).
• Cervical Cancer Screening: For individuals with a cervix, Pap smears every 3 years (ages 21–30), combined with or transitioning to HPV testing every 5 years (ages 30–65).
• Breast Cancer Screening: Mammograms typically recommended starting at age 40 or 50, repeated every 1 to 2 years depending on individual risk.
• Lung Cancer Screening: Annual low-dose CT scans for adults aged 50 to 80 with a heavy smoking history (e.g., a 20 pack-year history) who currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years.
• Bone Density Scan (DEXA): Usually begins at age 65 for women, or earlier for those with specific risk factors for osteoporosis.

You can look up specific guidelines or find local clinics via the CDC Preventive Care Guide.

If you share your approximate age range and biological sex/gender , I can tailor a much more precise checklist of what you should be prioritizing right now.

The exact schedule depends heavily on your age, sex, pregnancy status, family history, smoking history, medications, and risk factors. But for a generally healthy U.S. adult, these are the main preventive checks to keep on your radar.

Usually worth doing every year

• Routine primary-care visit/check-in: Review blood pressure, weight/BMI, medications, lifestyle, vaccinations, family history, and any new symptoms. A full physical exam isn't necessarily needed every year if you're healthy.
• Blood pressure: At least periodically; USPSTF suggests annually from age 40 onward or sooner/more often if you're at increased risk.
• Vaccination review: Especially flu every year, plus keeping COVID-19 and other age/risk-appropriate vaccines current.
• Mental-health screening: Depression screening is recommended for adults; anxiety screening is recommended through age 64.
• Dental care: Generally every 6–12 months, depending on your dentist and oral-health risk.
• Eye exam: Frequency depends on age, vision, diabetes, glaucoma risk, contact-lens use, etc.; it doesn't necessarily need to be annual for everyone.

Important screenings that aren't necessarily annual

• Cholesterol/cardiovascular risk: Periodic lipid testing, with frequency determined by your age and cardiovascular risk.
• Diabetes: USPSTF recommends screening adults 35–70 with overweight or obesity; the interval depends on results and risk.
• Colorectal cancer: Screening generally begins at 45 for average-risk adults. Options include stool testing and colonoscopy, with different intervals.
• Cervical cancer: For women 21–65, screening intervals depend on whether you're having Pap testing, HPV testing, or both.
• Breast cancer: Mammography recommendations depend on age and risk; the USPSTF currently recommends mammography every other year for women 40–74.
• Lung cancer: Annual low-dose CT is recommended for certain adults 50–80 with a substantial smoking history who currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years.
• Prostate cancer: PSA screening is an individualized decision, particularly around ages 55–69; family history and race can affect the discussion.
• Bone density: Women 65+ should be screened for osteoporosis; younger women and men may need it based on risk factors.
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm: One-time ultrasound for men 65–75 who have ever smoked.
• HIV and hepatitis C: At least once for many adults, with repeat testing based on risk.
• STI screening: Based on sexual activity, age, pregnancy, and risk factors—not automatically every year for everyone.

A practical "annual checkup" checklist

When you see your primary-care clinician, I'd make sure these are at least considered:

Blood pressure → weight → medications → vaccines → cholesterol/cardiovascular risk → diabetes risk → cancer-screening schedule → mental health → tobacco/alcohol use → sexual health/STIs → family-history updates → age/risk-specific screening.

One important point: more testing isn't necessarily better. Routine whole-body scans, broad panels of blood tests, tumor-marker tests, and other "just to be safe" testing aren't recommended for every healthy person and can produce false positives and unnecessary follow-up.

If you tell me your age, sex, whether you smoke, and any major family history (heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc.), I can turn this into a personalized "what I should get this year / every few years / not yet" checklist based on current U.S. guidelines.

The “right” preventive care schedule depends on your age, sex, family history, personal risks, medications, and lifestyle, but most adults should have a few core check-ins and screenings on their radar.

At least yearly (for many adults)

• Primary care visit / wellness check

• Review blood pressure, weight, lifestyle habits, medications, vaccinations, mental health, and any new symptoms.

• Frequency can vary; some healthy younger adults may not need a full visit every year, while others benefit from annual visits.

• Blood pressure check

• Recommended for adults 18+; frequency depends on age and risk factors. Many adults benefit from at least yearly checks, especially after age 40 or with higher risk.

• Mental health screening

• Discuss depression, anxiety, stress, sleep, alcohol use, and substance use when relevant. The USPSTF recommends adult depression screening.

• Vaccination review

• Common items include:

• Annual flu vaccine

• Updated COVID-19 vaccines when recommended

• Tetanus/Tdap boosters (typically every 10 years)

• Shingles vaccine (usually starting at 50)

• Pneumococcal vaccines for eligible adults

• Other vaccines based on age, travel, occupation, or health conditions

Blood tests to discuss with your clinician

• Cholesterol / cardiovascular risk assessment

• Often checked periodically rather than every year, depending on age and risk factors.

• Diabetes screening

• Especially important if you are 35–70 and have overweight or obesity, or have other risk factors.

• Kidney function tests

• More relevant if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney risks, or certain medications.

• Thyroid testing

• Usually based on symptoms or risk factors rather than as a universal yearly test.

• Hepatitis C screening

• Recommended at least once for many adults ages 18–79.

• HIV screening

• Recommended for many adolescents and adults, with repeat testing based on risk.

Cancer screenings (age-dependent)

• Colon cancer screening

• Generally starts at 45 and continues through recommended ages depending on the method and risk. Options include stool tests and colonoscopy.

• Breast cancer screening

• Mammography recommendations vary by guideline and individual risk; USPSTF recommends screening mammography every 2 years for women ages 40–74.

• Cervical cancer screening

• For many people with a cervix, screening is recommended from ages 21–65 with intervals depending on the test used.

• Lung cancer screening

• Annual low-dose CT may be appropriate for adults 50–80 with a significant smoking history who currently smoke or recently quit.

• Prostate cancer screening

• Discuss PSA testing based on age, family history, race/ethnicity, and preferences.

• Skin cancer checks

• Regular self-exams and clinician evaluation of suspicious changes are reasonable, especially with high sun exposure or higher risk.

Other important preventive checks

• Dental exams and cleanings

• Often every 6–12 months, depending on oral health.

• Eye exams

• Frequency varies; more often with diabetes, vision problems, or older age.

• Hearing screening

• Especially important as you get older or notice changes.

• Bone density testing

• Commonly recommended for women 65+ and certain younger postmenopausal women with risk factors; other people may need assessment based on risk.

• Sexual health screening

• STI testing depends on sexual activity, partners, and risk factors.

A simple “annual checklist” to bring to your appointment

☐ Blood pressure ☐ Medication review ☐ Vaccine review ☐ Cholesterol/heart risk discussion ☐ Diabetes risk check ☐ Mental health check-in ☐ Cancer screening schedule review ☐ Dental and eye care status ☐ Lifestyle review (sleep, exercise, nutrition, alcohol, tobacco)

If you tell me your age, sex at birth, and any major risk factors (smoking history, family history of cancer/heart disease, diabetes, etc.), I can narrow this down to the screenings most relevant for you.

Staying on top of preventive care is one of the best ways to catch health issues before they become serious. While your exact schedule depends on your age, sex, and family history, major health organizations like the CDC Preventive Care Guidelines and the USPSTF Recommendations emphasize several core annual check-ups and milestone screenings:

• Annual Wellness Exam / Physical: A yearly catch-up with your primary care provider to review your overall health, update vaccinations, and assess lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, and mental health.
• Blood Pressure Screening: Checked at least annually if you are 40 or older (or have risk factors), and every 3 to 5 years if you are 18–39 with normal readings. High blood pressure is a leading "silent" risk for heart attack and stroke.
• Cholesterol and Lipid Panel: A blood test recommended periodically (often every 4 to 6 years for low-risk adults, or more frequently if you have cardiovascular risk factors) to check your heart health.
• Colorectal Cancer Screening: Recommended for all adults starting at age 45 through age 75. Options range from at-home stool tests (every 1–3 years) to a screening colonoscopy (every 10 years if normal).
• Diabetes Screening (Blood Glucose / A1c): Generally recommended for adults starting at age 35 if they are overweight or obese, or earlier/more frequently if other risk factors are present.
• Hepatitis C Screening: The CDC recommends that all adults get screened for Hepatitis C at least once in their lifetime.
• HIV Screening: Recommended as a standard, one-time routine screening for all adolescents and adults aged 15–65, and periodically for those with ongoing risk factors.

Gender-Specific Screenings

• Breast Cancer Screening (Mammogram): The USPSTF recommends biennial (every two years) screening mammography for women starting at age 40 through age 74.
• Cervical Cancer Screening: A Pap smear every 3 years for women aged 21–29, and a Pap smear every 3 years, an HPV co-test every 5 years, or high-risk HPV testing alone every 5 years for ages 30–65.
• Prostate Cancer Screening: For men aged 55–69, the decision to screen with a PSA blood test should be an individual one made after a conversation with a doctor regarding the relative risks and benefits.

If you'd like to narrow this down, please share your approximate age range and biological sex , and I can tailor a personalized preventive checklist for you.

Absolutely. The key point is that not every screening needs to happen every year. A good annual preventive visit is more about reviewing what’s due based on your age, sex, family history, risk factors, medications, and lifestyle.

At least annually

At a routine primary-care visit, it’s reasonable to review:

• Blood pressure — adults should be screened for hypertension; if elevated, confirmation outside the office is generally recommended.
• Weight/BMI and general cardiovascular risk — discuss diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol, sleep, and family history.
• Mental health — depression screening and discussion of anxiety, stress, sleep, and substance use when appropriate.
• Vaccinations — particularly the annual flu vaccine and whatever current COVID vaccination is recommended, plus checking whether you're due for Tdap/Td or other age/risk-based vaccines.
• Medication and supplement review — including whether you still need everything you're taking.
• Dental care — regular dental examinations/cleanings based on your dentist's recommended interval.
• Eye care — frequency depends heavily on age, vision problems, diabetes, glaucoma risk, and whether you wear contacts.

Important screenings that aren't necessarily annual

Vaccines worth specifically checking

Depending on age and circumstances, adults may need flu yearly, COVID, Tdap/Td, shingles, pneumococcal, HPV, hepatitis A/B, RSV, MMR, or chickenpox vaccines. The recommendations change substantially with age and risk factors.

One important caveat: these are general U.S. recommendations for average-risk adults. A strong family history of cancer, smoking history, previous abnormal tests, certain medications, pregnancy, or chronic conditions can change the schedule substantially.

If you tell me your age, sex, whether you smoke, and whether you have any major family history (heart disease, diabetes, breast/ovarian/prostate/colon cancer), I can turn this into a personalized “what I should get this year” checklist with what to do annually vs. every 3/5/10 years.

Staying on top of your health doesn't mean you need every test under the sun every single year. The key is tracking routine vitals annually while scheduling specific age- and risk-based cancer or metabolic screenings.

Guidelines from organizations like the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and HealthCare.gov break down the most vital annual checks and periodic health screenings:

• Annual Wellness Check-up: A yearly conversation and physical exam with your primary care provider to review lifestyle, update vaccines (like the annual flu shot), and monitor overall changes.
• Blood Pressure Screening: Checked at least annually (or at every routine clinical visit); crucial for catching hypertension early.
• Cholesterol/Lipid Panel: Recommended every 4 to 6 years for healthy adults starting in their 20s, but often tracked more frequently if you have cardiovascular risk factors.
• Colorectal Cancer Screening: Begins at age 45 and runs through age 75. Options range from an annual stool-based test (FIT) to a colonoscopy every 10 years.
• Diabetes (Type 2) Screening: Recommended starting at age 35 for adults who are overweight or obese, using a fasting blood glucose or HbA1c test.
• Mental Health Screenings: Routine annual evaluations for anxiety, depression, and substance or alcohol use.
• Infectious Disease Screenings: A one-time screening for HIV (ages 15–65) and Hepatitis C (ages 18–79), plus recurring STI screenings depending on lifestyle and risk factors.

Gender- and Age-Specific Screenings

• Breast Cancer Screening: Mammograms are recommended annually or biennially for women starting at age 40 and continuing through age 74.
• Cervical Cancer Screening: Pap smears every 3 years for women aged 21–29; for ages 30–65, a Pap smear every 3 years, an HPV test every 5 years, or co-testing every 5 years.
• Lung Cancer Screening: Annual low-dose CT scans for adults aged 50 to 80 who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years.
• Osteoporosis Screening: Bone density scans (DEXA) for women aged 65 and older, or younger women with equivalent fracture risk.
• Prostate Cancer Discussion: Men should talk with their doctor around age 50 (or age 45 if Black or having a strong family history) about the risks and benefits of PSA blood testing.

If you'd like to narrow this down, tell me:

• Your approximate age group
• Your assigned sex at birth
• Any major family history or personal risk factors

I can tailor a custom checklist just for you.

Absolutely. The key point is that not every adult needs a battery of blood tests every year. Preventive care is mostly about getting the right screenings at the right age and risk level.

Assuming you're an average-risk adult in the U.S., here's a practical checklist.

Every year

• Primary-care/wellness visit: Review blood pressure, weight/BMI, lifestyle, medications, family history, mental health, and any new symptoms. A yearly visit is especially useful for keeping preventive care on track.
• Blood pressure: At least periodically; USPSTF considers annual screening reasonable from age 40 onward or earlier if you're at increased risk.
• Flu vaccine: Every year.
• Mental-health screening: Depression screening is recommended for adults; your clinician can also assess anxiety, substance use, sleep, etc., when appropriate.
• Dental exam/cleaning: Commonly every 6–12 months, depending on your dentist and risk.
• Eye exam: Frequency depends heavily on age, vision problems, diabetes, glaucoma risk, and whether you wear contacts/glasses—not necessarily annually for everyone.

Blood tests worth discussing

These aren't necessarily annual for a healthy person:

• Cholesterol/lipid panel: Periodically based on age and cardiovascular risk.
• Diabetes screening (A1C or fasting glucose): USPSTF recommends screening adults 35–70 who have overweight or obesity; repeat intervals depend on the result and risk.
• HIV testing: At least once for most adults, with repeat testing based on risk.
• Hepatitis C: At least once for most adults, with repeat testing based on risk.
• Hepatitis B: Screening/testing is appropriate for certain adults based on risk factors.
• CBC, comprehensive metabolic panel, thyroid tests, vitamin D, testosterone, etc.: Not automatically necessary every year if you're healthy and have no indication. Testing should generally be driven by symptoms, medications, risk factors, or prior abnormalities.

Cancer screening

Colon cancer

Starting at 45, average-risk adults should be screened. Options include:

• FIT stool test every year
• Stool DNA-FIT every 1–3 years
• Colonoscopy every 10 years
• Several other approved strategies

Screening generally continues through 75, with individualized decisions from 76–85.

Breast cancer

For women at average risk, mammography is generally recommended starting in the 40s and continuing at regular intervals. The exact interval depends on which guideline your clinician follows and your personal risk.

Cervical cancer

For people with a cervix, screening generally begins at 21 and uses Pap testing and/or HPV testing at age-appropriate intervals. It does not usually need to be done every year.

Lung cancer

Annual low-dose CT is recommended for certain adults 50–80 with a substantial smoking history who currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years. This is based on smoking history—not simply age.

Prostate cancer

PSA screening isn't an automatic annual test for every man. It is a shared decision, particularly around ages 55–69, with earlier discussion for people at higher risk.

Don't forget vaccines

Keep your adult vaccinations current. Depending on age and circumstances, this can include:

• Influenza: yearly
• COVID-19: according to the current seasonal recommendation
• Tdap/Td: Tdap once if not previously received, then Td/Tdap generally every 10 years
• Shingles (Shingrix): routinely starting at 50
• Pneumococcal vaccine: now recommended for many adults beginning at 50, as well as younger adults with certain risk conditions
• HPV: routinely through age 26; some adults 27–45 may benefit after discussion
• Hepatitis B: recommended for adults through age 59, and for some older adults depending on risk
• RSV: recommended for certain older adults and during pregnancy, depending on current guidance.

A simple age-based cheat sheet

One important caveat: pregnancy, smoking history, strong family history of cancer/heart disease, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, medications, or other risk factors can move screenings earlier or make them more frequent.

If you tell me your age, sex, whether you smoke, and any major family-history issues (for example, early heart disease or cancer), I can turn this into a personalized “what I should get this year” checklist, including what you don't need.

Prostate cancer

PSA screening isn't an automatic annual test for every man. It is a shared decision, particularly around ages 55–69, with earlier discussion for people at higher risk.

Don't forget vaccines

Keep your adult vaccinations current. Depending on age and circumstances, this can include:

• Influenza: yearly
• COVID-19: according to the current seasonal recommendation
• Tdap/Td: Tdap once if not previously received, then Td/Tdap generally every 10 years
• Shingles (Shingrix): routinely starting at 50
• Pneumococcal vaccine: now recommended for many adults beginning at 50, as well as younger adults with certain risk conditions
• HPV: routinely through age 26; some adults 27–45 may benefit after discussion
• Hepatitis B: recommended for adults through age 59, and for some older adults depending on risk
• RSV: recommended for certain older adults and during pregnancy, depending on current guidance.

A simple age-based cheat sheet

The most important annual check-up is a comprehensive physical exam or annual wellness visit with your primary care provider , which establishes your baseline vitals and updates your preventive care plan.

Essential Annual Checks and Vitals

• Blood pressure screening: Checked at every annual visit to monitor for hypertension and cardiovascular risk.
• Body mass index (BMI) and weight: Measured yearly to track metabolic changes and overall physical health.
• Blood glucose or A1c test: Recommended periodically or annually if you have risk factors for prediabetes or diabetes.
• Cholesterol check (lipid panel): Frequently repeated every 1 to 5 years depending on your baseline cardiac risk factors.
• Mental health and depression screening: Evaluated yearly during your physical exam to catch mood changes or chronic stress.

Key Periodic Cancer and Organ Screenings

• Colorectal cancer screening: Recommended starting at age 45 (via colonoscopy every 10 years or stool tests annually), depending on medical history.
• Mammogram: Recommended annually or biennially for women starting at age 40 or older.
• Cervical cancer screening (Pap smear/HPV test): Recommended every 3 to 5 years for women depending on age and past results.
• Dental exam and cleaning: Recommended twice a year for optimal oral health and gum disease prevention.
• Eye exam: Recommended every 1 to 2 years, or annually if you wear corrective lenses or have conditions like diabetes.

If you share your approximate age range and biological sex , I can tailor this list to the exact screening schedules recommended for you.

Staying on top of your health requires a mix of annual check-ups and periodic screenings based on your age, gender, and family history. Official guidelines from organizations like the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outline the core preventive care measures.

Annual / Routine Check-ups

• Blood Pressure Screening: Checked at least annually (or at every routine clinical visit) for adults aged 18 and older to catch hypertension early.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) and General Vitals: Height, weight, and overall physical evaluation tracked yearly.
• Behavioral and Mental Health Screening: Annual evaluations for depression, anxiety, and substance or alcohol use.
• Annual Physical Exam: A comprehensive wellness visit with your primary care provider to review lifestyle, medications, and overall risk factors.
• Annual Immunizations: Seasonal influenza vaccine, plus keeping up-to-date on boosters like Tdap (every 10 years) and COVID-19 updates.
• Annual Dental Cleanings and Exam: Twice-a-year cleanings and an oral exam to check for dental decay and oral cancer.
• Annual Eye Exam: Recommended yearly or bi-annually, especially if you wear corrective lenses or have risk factors like diabetes.

Periodic & Age-Specific Health Screenings

• Cholesterol / Lipid Panel: Recommended every 4 to 6 years for average-risk adults starting at age 20, or more frequently if cardiovascular risk factors exist.
• Blood Glucose / Type 2 Diabetes Test: Screenings typically start at age 35 for overweight or obese adults, or earlier with other risk factors, repeated every 3 years.
• Colorectal Cancer Screening: Routine screening now starts at age 45 for average-risk adults (using colonoscopy every 10 years or stool-based tests annually, depending on the method).
• Cervical Cancer Screening (Pap Smear / HPV): For individuals with a cervix, starting at age 21 every 3 years for Pap tests, transitioning to co-testing or high-risk HPV tests every 5 years between ages 30 and 65.
• Breast Cancer Screening (Mammogram): Annual or biennial screening mammograms typically recommended for women starting at age 40 or 45, depending on specific clinical guidelines and risk factors.
• Prostate Cancer Screening: Shared decision-making discussion with a doctor regarding PSA blood tests starting around age 50 (or age 45 for high-risk groups like African American men or those with a family history).
• Lung Cancer Screening: Annual low-dose CT scans for adults aged 50 to 80 who have a heavy smoking history (20 pack-year history) and currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years.
• Bone Density Scan (DEXA): Recommended for women aged 65 and older, or younger postmenopausal women with risk factors for osteoporosis.

If you share your approximate age range and biological sex/gender , I can help tailor this list to the exact screenings recommended for you right now.

The key thing to know is that you don't actually need a huge battery of tests every year. A good annual preventive visit is mostly about checking risk factors, updating vaccines, reviewing medications and lifestyle, and making sure you're up to date on the screenings appropriate for your age and sex.

Here’s a practical U.S.-based checklist, using current USPSTF/CDC guidance.

Every year

• Blood pressure: At least periodically; annually is reasonable once you're 40+ or if you're at increased risk.
• Weight/BMI and general cardiovascular risk: Discuss weight, exercise, diet, smoking, alcohol, sleep, and family history.
• Mental health: Depression screening is recommended for adults.
• Vaccination review: Especially flu every year; also make sure COVID, Tdap/tetanus, shingles, pneumococcal, HPV, RSV, hepatitis, etc. are appropriate for your age/risk.
• Medication/supplement review: Including whether anything you're taking is still necessary.
• Preventive counseling: Sleep, exercise, nutrition, sexual health, substance use, and safety.

Blood tests aren't necessarily annual

For a healthy person, routinely ordering a CBC, metabolic panel, thyroid test, vitamin levels, testosterone, etc. every year isn't generally recommended unless there's a reason.

Tests such as cholesterol and diabetes screening depend on your age, risk factors and previous results. For example, USPSTF recommends diabetes screening for adults 35–70 with overweight or obesity.

Cancer screenings

Colorectal cancer

Starting at 45, average-risk adults should be screened. Options include:

• Annual FIT stool test
• Stool DNA/FIT every 1–3 years
• Colonoscopy every 10 years
• Other approved strategies at different intervals

Screening is recommended through age 75 for most people.

Breast cancer

For women at average risk, mammography every 2 years from 40–74 is the current USPSTF recommendation.

Cervical cancer

For women 21–29: Pap test every 3 years.

For women 30–65, options include:

• Pap every 3 years
• HPV test every 5 years
• HPV + Pap every 5 years.

Lung cancer

If you're 50–80 and have a significant smoking history and currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years, annual low-dose CT screening may be appropriate.

Prostate cancer

PSA screening isn't an automatic annual test for every man. The decision generally depends on age, family history, race, symptoms and individual risk, and should involve shared decision-making.

Skin cancer

Routine dermatologist screening isn't recommended for every asymptomatic adult, but a skin exam makes sense if you have substantial sun exposure, many/atypical moles, previous skin cancer, or other risk factors.

Other important screenings

• Hepatitis C: Most adults should be screened at least once; repeat testing depends on risk.
• HIV: At least once for most adults, with repeat testing based on risk.
• STIs: Based on sexual activity, partners, pregnancy status and risk—not necessarily annually for everyone.
• Eye exam: Frequency depends heavily on age, vision, diabetes, glaucoma risk, contacts/glasses, etc.
• Dental exam/cleaning: Typically every 6–12 months, individualized to your dental health.
• Osteoporosis: Women 65+ should generally have bone-density screening; younger postmenopausal women may need it earlier if they're at increased risk.

A simple age-based cheat sheet

One important distinction: "annual physical" doesn't mean every test happens annually. Some screenings are every 1, 3, 5, or 10 years, while others are triggered by your personal risk.

If you tell me your age, sex, whether you smoke, and any major family history (heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc.), I can turn this into a personalized "what I should get this year" checklist, including exactly which blood tests and screenings are worth asking your doctor about.