Healthy Aging: The Importance of Screening Tests

Aging well isn’t just about staying active—it’s about proactive health screenings that help detect diseases early and improve long-term outcomes. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) outlines essential screenings, from bone density tests for osteoporosis to colonoscopies, lung cancer screening, and abdominal aortic ultrasounds for smokers.

While some screenings, like breast cancer and colorectal cancer tests, have clear benefits, others—such as prostate cancer screening—remain uncertain in effectiveness. This guide walks through the latest recommendations to help older adults take charge of their health. Have you scheduled your routine screenings this year? Summertime is a great time to catch up!