As you get older, you’ll need to be more proactive in your health care. It is always a good idea to talk to your doctor about the screenings and tests that you need to help ensure you are healthy. For many people, cancer is a big concern. It tends to be more likely in people that have a family history of it, but it can occur to anyone and at any age. The older you get, the more likely it is for you to develop concerns, though. Even if you do not have any symptoms, it is important to consider cancer screening to rule out any area of concern.

What Types of Screenings Do You Need?

The American Cancer Society offers recommendations. Cancer screenings should start at around age 50 for most people. However, if you are considered high risk, they should begin much sooner. For men, it is important to have screenings such as the following by the time you turn 50:

• Colon cancer testing, which can be done in numerous ways.
  
  
• Prostate cancer testing for men that are at an average risk level (if you are at high risk, you should have this in your 40s or sooner).
  
  
• Lung cancer testing, especially at around age 55 or sooner if you were a smoker for any length of time.

For women, the following cancer screenings are necessary at age 50:

• Breast cancer testing, which should include a mammogram every year between the ages of 50 and 54, and then every two years after the age of 55.
  
  
• Cervical cancer testing should include a Pap test and HPV test every five years prior to this point or every three years after the age of 50.
  
  
• Colon cancer testing should be done for women at the age of 50 and every two years or more often after.
  
  
• Lung cancer testing is necessary for women as well at the age of 55 or sooner if you were a smoker at all previously.

The key to remember about these screenings is that your health insurance is likely to provide you with coverage for them. If you are shopping for health insurance right now, be sure to choose a policy that provides ample protections against these types of risks.