Different stages of life come with different health risks and the right screenings help detect issues long before symptoms appear. Knowing what to check for in your 20s–30s, 40s–50s, and 60s+ can make a powerful difference in long-term health.
Screenings are one of the strongest tools in preventive medicine.
They catch hidden problems early, guide lifestyle decisions, and give doctors the information they need to tailor your care.
Below are the three essential categories of screenings everyone should prioritize, broken down by age bracket.
🔍 1. Your 20s & 30s: Focus on Building a Baseline
Your early adulthood screenings set the foundation for your future health. Even if you feel perfectly well, now is the time to establish baseline numbers, assess family history, and detect any silent conditions early.
Key screenings:
- Blood pressure & cholesterol (heart health often begins forming early)
- Diabetes screening if risk factors are present
- Pap smear / STI testing (women), testicular health checks (men)
- Ultrasound or imaging tests if experiencing unexplained pain or lumps
- Mental health assessments, especially during major life transitions
🔬 2. Your 40s & 50s: Prioritize Cardiometabolic & Cancer Screening
These are the decades when lifestyle and genetics begin to intersect more closely, making screenings even more important.
Key screenings:
- Mammograms for women starting at 40
- Prostate exams & PSA testing for men beginning at 45 (or earlier with risk factors)
- Colon cancer screening beginning at age 45
- Comprehensive heart screenings, including EKG and cholesterol panels
- Liver, kidney, and abdominal ultrasounds when medically indicated
- Vascular screening for those with hypertension, diabetes, or a smoking history
Interventional radiology often provides faster, safer alternatives to traditional surgery for these age groups, when early treatment is key.
🧠 3. Your 60s+: Protect Brain, Bone & Organ Health
As the body ages, screenings shift toward preventing decline and monitoring chronic illnesses. Early detection keeps independence and quality of life high.
Key screenings:
- Bone density (DEXA) for osteoporosis
- Vascular ultrasounds to screen for aneurysms or poor circulation
- Cancer screenings (breast, colon, prostate, cervical depending on past results)
- Kidney, liver, and thyroid checks
- Cognitive assessments if memory changes arise
- Fall-risk screening & mobility evaluation
- Imaging for unexplained pain, swelling, or blood flow concerns
🩻 Age-Appropriate Screening Saves Lives
You don’t need every test every year but you do need the right tests at the right time.
Whether you’re building your baseline in your 20s or protecting your long-term wellness in your 60s and beyond, screenings give your doctor the roadmap needed to guide your best health.
If you’re unsure which screenings are right for your age bracket, our imaging and clinical teams can help.
Family Medicine Center provides comprehensive diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology services, including ultrasound, X-ray, vascular screening, and minimally invasive procedures with Interventional Radiologist Dr. Mikhail Higgins and Diagnostic Radiologist Dr. Shivani Deyalsingh.
Need to book your next screening?
👉 Request an imaging or preventive health consultation today. 📞 (242) 702-9310 or visit fmcbahamas.org.