Guest guest Posted April 18, 2006 Report Share Posted April 18, 2006 *Citing the potential for harm, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends against: Routine screening for hepatitis C in asymptomatic adults who are not at increased risk for infection* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Recommended Screenings Monday, April 17, 2006; 3:48 PM ALL ADULTS Cholesterol checks At least every five years, starting at age 35. If you smoke, have diabetes or if heart disease runs in your family, start at age 20. Blood pressure Check for hyper-tension at least every two years. Fecal occult blood testing The U.S. Preventive Service Task Force says this method of screening for colorectal cancer is supported by stronger evidence than sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy and other tests. Periodic screening starting at age 50. Blood sugar tests Every five years, more often for those who are significantly overweight and those with a family history of diabetes. Depression If you've felt down, sad or hopeless and have felt little interest or pleasure in doing things for two weeks straight, talk to your doctor about screening. STDs Talk to your doctor to consider screening for sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV. ALL MEN A one-time screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm for men aged 65 to 75 who have ever smoked. Prostate cancer The task force says the evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against routine screening using prostate-specific antigen testing or digital rectal exam. ALL WOMEN Cervical cancer Annual screening in women who have been sexually active and have a cervix. Mammography, with or without clinical breast examination (CBE), every one to two years for women aged 40 and older to detect breast cancer. Screening of all pregnant women for hepatitis B, syphilis and HIV. Yearly screening of all sexually active women aged 25 and younger and other women at increased risk for chlamydial infection. On the Other Hand . . . Citing the potential for harm, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends against: Routine screening for bladder cancer and ovarian cancer. Routine screening for pancreatic cancer in asymptomatic adults using abdominal palpation, ultrasonography or serologic markers. Routine screening for peripheral arterial disease. Routine screening for testicular cancer in asymptomatic adolescent and adult males. Routine screening with resting electrocardiography, exercise treadmill test or electron-beam computerized tomography for coronary heart disease in adults at low risk. Routine screening of the general asymptomatic population for chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Routine screening for hepatitis C in asymptomatic adults who are not at increased risk for infection. Routine serological screening for herpes simplex virus in asymptomatic pregnant women. -- SOURCE: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/17/AR2006041700826.html?nav=rss_health Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.