Early Disease Detection

Overview

What is early disease detection?

Early disease detection is the use of:

• Screening tests to find health problems before symptoms appear.
• Diagnostic tests, medical exams, and self-exams to find a disease or other health problem early in its course.

Why should you think about early disease detection?

Often, the earlier a disease is diagnosed, the more likely it is that it can be cured or successfully managed. Managing a disease, especially early in its course, may lower its impact on your life or prevent or delay serious complications.

What tests should you have?

The tests you need depend on your age, health, gender, and your risk factors. Risk factors might include family history, such as having a close relative with cancer, and lifestyle issues, such as smoking. Cholesterol screening, for example, is recommended for people who have a family history of early coronary artery disease.

If you are at risk for a disease, you and your doctor will decide whether you should be tested for it. Discuss the testing, the disease, the risks and benefits of the testing, and what action you are willing to take if you have the condition. For example, if your doctor believes you are at risk for osteoporosis, factors to consider before testing include your age, whether others in your family have had osteoporosis, whether you are a postmenopausal woman, and your willingness to take medicine or make lifestyle changes if you test positive for this condition.

Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant may be screened for genetic conditions, sexually transmitted diseases, and other conditions.

To learn more about suggested tests, review the medical test information (What is a PDF document?) form with your doctor.

Who develops recommendations for early disease detection?

Expert panels of health professionals develop recommendations and publish them as guidelines for all health professionals to use. For example, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American College of Physicians both have guidelines for cholesterol screening, and the American Academy of Pediatrics has guidelines on early childhood screening for many different conditions.

Sometimes different panels make different recommendations. In these situations, talk with your doctor to decide which guidelines best meet your health needs.

When should you be tested?

When and how often you get screening tests may depend on your age, gender, family history, lifestyle, health status, and the cost of testing. Your doctor may suggest certain screening times based on expert guidelines. In some cases, testing is done as part of a routine checkup.

Health Tools 

Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.

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	Interactive Tool: Is Your Weight Increasing Your Health Risks?
	Interactive Tool: Which Health Screenings Do You Need?

Frequently Asked Questions

Screening, Birth to 12 Months

Your baby should have regularly scheduled checkups, often called well-baby visits, starting shortly after birth. During these visits, the doctor examines your baby for possible problems and asks you questions about your baby's growth and development. In general, a baby is evaluated:

• Right after birth.
• At 3 to 5 days old.
• By 1 month of age.
• At 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months of age.

At each well-baby visit, the doctor or nurse will check your baby's:

• Vision, if he or she feels that it is necessary.
• Length, weight, and head circumference.

All states require newborn screening, although the tests required vary from state to state. They may include:

• Galactosemia test.
• Hearing tests.
• Phenylketonuria (PKU) screen.
• Sickle cell disease test.
• Thyroid hormone tests (for congenital hypothyroidism).

A hematocrit test may be done if your doctor is concerned about your baby's red blood cell count.

If the doctor is concerned that your child has been exposed to certain substances or diseases, tests may include:

• Lead screening.
• Tuberculosis screening.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a childhood condition caused by abnormal development of the hip joint. All newborns are examined for DDH at birth. And the growth and development of your child's hips should also be examined during regular well-child checkups until he or she begins walking normally. If the results of a physical exam are unclear, an imaging test such as an ultrasound or X-ray may be used to check your child's hip joints. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not have enough evidence to recommend routine infant screening for DDH as a way to improve the health outcome. For more information, see the topic Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.

For more information on important markers (milestones) of infant growth and development, see the topics Growth and Development, Newborn and Growth and Development, Ages 1 to 12 Months.

Screening, 13 Months to 5 Years

Your child should have regularly scheduled checkups, often called well-child visits. During these visits, your child's doctor will check your child's growth and development and examine your child for possible problems. In general, a child is evaluated:

• At 15, 18, 24, and 30 months of age.
• At 3, 4, and 5 years of age.

Normal checks include:

• Behavioral concerns such as temper tantrums, thumb-sucking, breath-holding, and aggressive behavior that hurts others emotionally or physically (bullying).
• Blood pressure screening. Your child should have his or her blood pressure checked every year, beginning at age 3.
• Body mass index (BMI).
  • See the BMI chart for boys ages 2 years and older.
  • See the BMI chart for girls ages 2 years and older.
• Developmental delay screening, including two checks for autism.
• Head circumference until 24 months of age.
• Hearing.
• Height and weight.
• Vision.

If risk factors are present, other tests may include:

• Lead screening.
• Tuberculosis screening.

A hematocrit test may be done if your doctor is concerned about your child's red blood cell count.

Regular dental checkups are recommended for all children.

For more information on the milestones of early childhood growth and development, see the topics Growth and Development, Ages 12 to 24 Months and Growth and Development, Ages 2 to 5 Years.

Screening, 6 to 10 Years

In general, your child is evaluated at ages 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. At each well-child visit, your child's doctor will check to see whether your child is growing and developing as expected. The goal is to find out early if your child has any problems that could affect his or her health and well-being.

Normal checks include:

• Behavioral concerns, such as temper tantrums and aggressive behavior that hurts others emotionally or physically (bullying).
• Blood pressure screening. Your child should have his or her blood pressure checked every year.
• Body mass index (BMI).
  • See the BMI chart for boys ages 2 years and older.
  • See the BMI chart for girls ages 2 years and older.
• Hearing.
• Height and weight.
• School concerns, such as grades, favorite subjects, and the teacher's idea of how your child is doing at school.
• Scoliosis.
• Vision.

Other tests may include:

• Diabetes type 2 screening.
• Hematocrit test, which checks the amount of red blood cells.
• Lead screening.
• Tuberculosis screening.

Regular dental checkups are recommended for all children.

For more information on the milestones of early childhood growth and development, see the topic Growth and Development, Ages 6 to 10 Years.

Screening, 11 to 24 Years

In general, your child or teen is evaluated yearly. At each well-child visit, the doctor will check your child's growth and development and examine your child for possible problems.

Normal checks include:

• School and behavioral concerns, such as failing classes or dropping out of school, relationship problems with friends and family that affect home or school life, severe mood swings, lack of interest in normal activities and withdrawal from others, being physically aggressive, becoming sexually active, and drinking alcohol or using tobacco or drugs.
• Blood pressure. Your child or teen should have his or her blood pressure checked every year. After age 21, he or she should follow the adult blood pressure screening guidelines.
• Body mass index (BMI).
  • See the BMI chart for boys up to age 19.
  • See the BMI chart for girls up to age 19.
• Hearing.
• Height and weight.
• Scoliosis.
• Vision (children and teens).
• Vision (adults).

Other tests may include:

• Alcohol abuse (misuse) screening.
• Breast cancer screening for females.
• Cervical cancer screening for females.
• Cholesterol screening.
• Coronary artery disease screening.
• Depression screening.
• Diabetes type 2 screening for children and teens.
• Diabetes type 2 screening for adults.
• Gestational diabetes for females.
• Hematocrit test, which checks the amount of red blood cells.
• HIV test.
• Sexually transmitted disease screening.
• Testicular cancer screening for males.
• Tuberculosis screening.

Pregnant women or those trying to become pregnant may be screened for genetic conditions, sexually transmitted diseases, and other conditions. For more information, see the topic Pregnancy.

Dental checkups are recommended for all children, teens, and young adults once or twice a year.

For more information on the milestones of teen growth and development, see the topics Growth and Development, Ages 11 to 14 Years and Growth and Development, Ages 15 to 18 Years.

Screening, 25 to 49 Years

Early disease detection during adulthood is intended to identify diseases that may develop as you age. Routine checkups and screening are important to stay in good health.

How often you have the following tests depends on your age, health, and risk factors for specific diseases. Tests that may be done at your routine checkups include:

• Alcohol abuse (misuse) screening.
• Blood pressure screening.
• Breast cancer screening for women.
• Cervical cancer screening for women.
• Cholesterol screening.
• Colorectal cancer screening.
• Coronary artery disease screening.
• Dental checkup.
• Depression screening.
• Diabetes type 2 screening.
• Gestational diabetes screening for women.
• Hearing tests.
• HIV test.
• Prostate cancer screening for men.
• Sexually transmitted disease screening.
• Skin cancer screening.
• Testicular cancer screening for men.
• Thyroid disease screening.
• Tuberculosis screening.
• Vision tests and glaucoma screening.

Monitor your weight, and see your doctor if you suddenly or consistently gain or lose weight. For more information, see the topics Weight Management and Obesity.

Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant may be screened for genetic conditions, sexually transmitted diseases, and other conditions. For more information, see the topic Pregnancy.

Screening, 50 to 64 Years

As you age, the risk of developing some diseases increases. Routine checkups and screening tests are important to stay in good health.

For a screening checklist, see www.ahrq.gov/ppip/men50.htm if you are a man and www.ahrq.gov/ppip/women50.htm if you are a woman.

How often you have the following tests depends on your age, health, and risk factors for specific diseases. Tests that may be done at your routine checkups include:

• Alcohol abuse (misuse) screening.
• Blood pressure screening.
• Breast cancer screening for women.
• Cervical cancer screening for women.
• Cholesterol screening.
• Colorectal cancer screening.
• Coronary artery disease screening.
• Dental checkup.
• Depression screening.
• Diabetes type 2 screening.
• Hearing tests.
• HIV test.
• Osteoporosis screening for women.
• Prostate cancer screening for men.
• Sexually transmitted disease screening.
• Skin cancer screening.
• Thyroid disease screening.
• Tuberculosis screening.
• Vision tests and glaucoma screening.

After reviewing all of the research, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has not recommended for or against routine screening for dementia in older adults.¹

Monitor your weight, and see your doctor if you suddenly or consistently gain or lose weight. For more information, see the topics Weight Management and Obesity.

Screening, 65 Years and Older

As you age, the risk of developing some diseases increases. Routine checkups and screening tests are important to maintain good health.

How often you have the following tests depends on your age, health, and risk factors for specific diseases. Tests that may be done at your routine checkups include:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening for men.
• Alcohol abuse (misuse) screening.
• Blood pressure screening.
• Breast cancer screening for women.
• Cervical cancer screening for women.
• Cholesterol screening.
• Colorectal cancer screening.
• Coronary artery disease screening.
• Dental checkups.
• Depression screening.
• Diabetes type 2 screening.
• Hearing tests.
• HIV test.
• Osteoporosis screening.
• Prostate cancer screening for men.
• Sexually transmitted disease screening.
• Skin cancer screening.
• Thyroid disease screening.
• Tuberculosis screening.
• Vision tests and glaucoma screening.

After reviewing all of the research, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has not recommended for or against routine screening for dementia in older adults.¹

Monitor your weight, and see your doctor if you suddenly or consistently gain or lose weight. For more information, see the topics Weight Management and Obesity.

Other Places To Get Help

Organizations

Related Information

• Abnormal Pap Test
• Alcohol Abuse and Dependence
• Alcohol and Drug Problems
• Amblyopia
• Autism
• Basic Dental Care
• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
• Breast Cancer
• Chlamydia
• Colorectal Cancer
• Coronary Artery Disease
• Dementia
• Depression
• Depression in Children and Teens
• Dietary Guidelines for Americans—2005
• Exposure to Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• Feeling Depressed
• Genital Herpes
• Genital Warts (Human Papillomavirus)
• Gestational Diabetes
• Glaucoma
• Gonorrhea
• Hearing Loss
• Hepatitis B
• High Blood Pressure
• High Cholesterol
• Home Medical Records
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hypothyroidism
• Lead Poisoning
• Nearsightedness (Myopia)
• Obesity
• Osteoporosis
• Pediatric Preparation for Medical Tests
• Phenylketonuria (PKU)
• Prostate Cancer
• Protecting Your Skin From the Sun
• Scoliosis
• Skin Cancer, Nonmelanoma
• Strabismus
• Syphilis
• Testicular Cancer
• Thyroid Nodules
• Trichomoniasis
• Tuberculosis (TB)
• Type 1 Diabetes
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Type 2 Diabetes in Children
• Weight Management
• Women and Coronary Artery Disease

References

Citations

1. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2003). Screening for dementia: Recommendation and rationale. Annals of Internal Medicine, 139(11): 925–926.

Other Works Consulted

• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2009). Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, 2009: Recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (AHRQ Publication No. 09–IP006). Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Also available online: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/pocketgd.htm.
• American Academy of Pediatrics (2008). Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children, and Adolescents, 3rd ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.
• Tarini BA (2007). The current revolution in newborn screening. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, 161(8): 767–772.

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