What preventive care looks like at every age and how to stay ahead of the curve
When it comes to your health, time has a quiet way of moving faster than you expect.
Maybe you remember your first doctor’s visit as an adult, the one where you promised yourself you’d start getting regular checkups. Then work got busy, life got full, and before you knew it, years passed between appointments.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
Preventive care often slips to the bottom of the list, not because it isn’t important, but because life gets in the way.
At Stellis Health, we understand that. We live in the same communities you do, and we’re here to help you make your health a priority again.
Prevention isn’t just about avoiding illness; it’s about understanding how your body changes and staying ahead of those shifts.
Our team believes in a community approach to care, where trusted relationships and familiar faces make every visit feel personal.
That’s what “Neighbors Caring for Neighbors” really means.
Whether you’re in your 20s building a healthy foundation or in your 60s focusing on strength and independence, your Stellis Health provider is here to guide you through every stage.
Here’s your decade-by-decade look at what screenings, checkups, and provider visits can help keep you healthy for life.
In Your 20s & 30s: Build Your Health Foundation
This is the time to establish healthy habits and catch potential issues early.
Recommended Screenings & Checkups:
- Annual physical and blood pressure check: Every year
- Pap smear: Every 3 years, or HPV test every 5 years
- Cholesterol and blood sugar baseline: Every 4–6 years
- Skin check for moles or sun damage: Annually (Medical Skin Care Center)
- Mental health check-ins: As needed
- Dental and vision exams: Annually
Prevention Focus: Building long-term habits around nutrition, exercise, and sleep.
In Your 40s: Start Tracking Changes
Your 40s are about detecting early shifts in metabolism, hormones, and cardiovascular health.
Recommended Screenings & Checkups:
- Annual physical: Continue yearly
- Cholesterol and blood sugar screening: Every 3–5 years
- Mammogram: Every 1–2 years starting at age 40
- Colon cancer screening: Begin at 45
- Eye exam: Every 2–4 years
- Thyroid and hormone assessments: As recommended by your provider
Prevention Focus: Managing midlife stress, balancing hormones, and protecting heart health.
In Your 50s: Stay Proactive About Prevention
Your 50s are a pivotal time for screenings that can prevent or detect disease in its earliest stages.
Recommended Screenings & Checkups:
- Colonoscopy: Every 10 years, or as recommended
- Mammogram: Continue annually or every 2 years
- Bone density test: Every 2–5 years, especially for post-menopausal women
- Cholesterol, thyroid, and diabetes labs: Every 1–3 years
- Hearing exam: Every 3 years
- Skin and heart health checks: Annually
Prevention Focus: Heart and bone health, cancer screening, and active lifestyle maintenance.
In Your 60s & Beyond: Maintain Strength, Balance, and Independence
Your focus shifts to staying mobile, independent, and mentally sharp.
Recommended Screenings & Checkups:
- Annual physical: Continue every year
- Flu, pneumonia, and shingles vaccines: As recommended
- Colon cancer screening: Continue based on provider guidance
- Mammogram: Continue as recommended
- Bone density test: Every 2–5 years
- Vision and hearing checks: Every 1–2 years
- Fall risk and balance assessment: Annually
- Cognitive screening: Annually
Prevention Focus: Mobility, independence, and ongoing disease prevention.
Your Health Timeline at a Glance
| Age Range | Top Screenings | Frequency | Primary Providers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20s–30s | Pap smear, annual physical, skin check | 1–3 years | Family Medicine, OB/GYN, Medical Skin Care |
| 40s | Mammogram, cholesterol, blood sugar | 1–5 years | Family Medicine, OB/GYN, Internal Medicine |
| 50s | Colonoscopy, bone density, heart check | 2–10 years | Internal Medicine, Family Medicine |
| 60s+ | Flu vaccine, hearing, fall risk | Annual | Family Medicine |
Bonus: A New Way to Track Your Health — Body Composition Testing
Prevention isn’t just about screenings—it’s also about understanding your body’s overall wellness.
At Stellis Health’s Monticello Clinic, patients can now access Body Composition Testing, a quick, noninvasive way to measure what’s happening beneath the surface. Unlike a standard scale, this test provides detailed insight into your muscle mass, body fat percentage, bone density, and water balance, offering a clearer picture of your health.
Why it matters:
- Detects shifts in muscle and fat that influence metabolism and energy levels
- Helps tailor nutrition and fitness goals for your body’s unique needs
- Tracks measurable progress over time to keep you motivated and informed
Ask your provider at Stellis Health if body composition testing could complement your wellness plan.
Your Next Step
No matter your age, prevention is always worth the effort.
If you’re unsure which screenings you’re due for, schedule a wellness visit with your Stellis Health provider.
They’ll help create a prevention plan tailored to your age, lifestyle, and health history.
