Health Checkpoints for Your 20s and 30s

You’re in your 20s or 30s. You feel great, at peak physical condition, in the prime of your life. You’ve got a busy life, possibly juggling family responsibilities, a career, hobbies, relationships and a social life.

It’s easy to neglect your health during this time in your life.  Recent research by ZocDoc, an online medical care scheduling service, shows that young adults between ages 18 and 34 are the most likely to skip checkups. Even if you feel excellent and don’t have health problems, don’t ignore your health. Some simple health screenings may prevent problems later in life.

Here’s a list of exams that you can talk to your primary care physician about:

• Blood pressure tests
• Cholesterol screenings
• Diabetes screenings are often done if your blood pressure is high. Diabetes screenings include blood sugar tests and a body mass index (BMI) screening, which measures body fat based on your height and weight.
• Dental exams
• Eye exams
• Immunizations that include an annual flu shot. There are other vaccines for tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, chicken pox, measles, mumps and rubella. Talk to your health care provider about which immunizations and vaccinations are best for you based on your age and risk for certain conditions.
• Skin exam to look for signs of skin cancer
• During a visit, your physician may ask you about depression, diet, exercise, alcohol and tobacco use and personal safety issues.

For women:

• If you’re at risk for breast cancer because of a family history, your health care provider may recommend a mammogram, breast ultrasound or breast MRI
• Pelvic exam and PAP smear to check for cervical cancer and infections

For men:

• A testicular exam to check for signs of testicular cancer

With everything else going on in your life, don’t forget to make your health a priority too. Speak to your primary care physician about your health. Don’t have a primary care physician? Call 1-800-BayCare (1-800-229-2273) or find a doctor near you.