List of physical examination items for different age groups, save it quickly!

Changes in our bodies are inevitable throughout our lives. When we are young, our bodies are strong, but as we age, our bodies gradually decline and the risk of various diseases increases. Regular physical examinations can help us detect potential health problems in a timely manner and take effective preventive measures, but the physical conditions and disease risks of different age groups vary significantly, and physical examination items also need to be "tailored".

As early as 2014, China's "Expert Consensus on Basic Health Examination Items" proposed the "1+X" principle, which clearly distinguished between mandatory and optional health examination items.

1 (routine items): including physical examination (height, weight, blood pressure), laboratory examination (blood, urine and stool routine tests, liver and kidney function, blood lipids and blood sugar, etc.), auxiliary examinations (electrocardiogram, ultrasound, etc.).

X (Specialized screening): Add targeted items based on age, gender, family history, lifestyle and chronic disease risk of individuals.

20-30 years old

Focus on basic health and prevention

First, let's look at the 20 to 30-year-old stage. Young people at this stage are in their prime and their physical functions are good, but health problems are not far away. Physical functions are good at this stage, but health records need to be established, and attention should be paid to the prevention and early screening of infectious diseases.

Suggested items for women:

Infectious disease screening: HPV testing (HPV vaccination is recommended before the age of 26, and can be extended to 45 years old depending on individual circumstances), measles-rubella-mumps virus vaccination.

Basic examinations: blood routine, stool routine, thyroid function, and gynecological B-ultrasound once a year.

Breast health: Observe yourself regularly and seek medical attention promptly if any abnormality is found; have a breast ultrasound every 2 years.

Recommended items for men:

Infectious disease screening: Hepatitis B five-item test once a year (if not vaccinated). Basic examination: Blood routine, stool routine, liver and kidney function, thyroid function once a year. Prostate health: Those with family history or symptoms can undergo prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing.

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30-40 years old

Protecting your health under pressure

As people age, they enter their 30s and 40s, and the pressure of life often increases. Many people face the dual pressures of family and work. During this period, women's endocrine systems may be out of balance, so they need to check their height, weight, blood pressure, and undergo routine gynecological examinations every year. When men reach their 30s, people in this age group generally have high work pressure, many social activities, insufficient exercise, and are prone to obesity. They need to pay attention to indicators such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids, and conduct relevant examinations regularly.

Suggested items for women:

Metabolic indicators: blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipid tests once a year. Basic examinations: blood routine, stool routine, and thyroid function tests once a year.

Gynecological examination: TCT+HPV combined screening (cervical cancer screening), routine leucorrhea examination, and gynecological B-ultrasound once every 3 years.

Breast examination: Breast B-ultrasound once a year.

Recommended items for men:

Metabolic indicators: blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipid tests once a year.

Basic examination: blood routine, stool routine, and thyroid function test once a year.

Liver health: Long-term drinkers are recommended to undergo liver ultrasound elastography once a year.

Men’s health: Routine male check-up once a year (bladder, ureters, prostate, etc.).

Image source: Pixabay

40-50 years old

Pay attention to early signs of chronic diseases and tumors

When we enter our 40s and 50s, the body's functions begin to decline, especially women's ovarian function may begin to decline, facing the challenges of menopause, so women need to pay more attention to breast health and bone density at this stage. Men should also pay more attention to their lungs and livers. Smokers should focus on lung health, and drinkers should pay attention to liver problems and gastrointestinal health.

Suggested items for women:

Metabolic indicators: blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipid tests twice a year.

Basic examination: blood routine, stool routine, and thyroid function test once a year.

Breast and gynecology: Breast mammography/B-ultrasound once a year; bone density test once every 3 years (changed to annually after menopause).

Tumor markers: Selective testing based on family history (such as CA125, CA153). Eye health: Fundus examination once a year.

Gastrointestinal health: Digital rectal examination once a year; gastroscopy once every 5 years.

Recommended items for men:

Metabolic indicators: blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipid tests twice a year.

Basic examination: blood routine, stool routine, and thyroid function test once a year.

Men’s health: Routine male check-up once a year (bladder, ureters, prostate, etc.).

Lung cancer screening: Smokers are recommended to have a low-dose lung CT (not a conventional chest X-ray) once a year.

Bone health: People at high risk (such as those who use hormones for a long time, have a low calcium diet, smoke or drink alcohol for a long time, and lack exercise) are recommended to have a bone density test every 2 to 3 years.

Gastrointestinal health: Digital rectal examination once a year; gastroscopy once every 5 years.

Over 50 years old

Prevention and control of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and tumors

When you are 50 years old or older, your body functions further decline and the health risks you face increase. At this stage, you should not only be alert to the occurrence of various tumors, but also be alert to the occurrence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and do relevant examinations of joint and muscle function. Many women have entered the perimenopausal period and need intensive examinations every year to prevent related tumors and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Men's physical examinations also need to be more comprehensive, focusing on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, tumor and bone health.

Image source: Pixabay

Unified events for both men and women:

Metabolic indicators: blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipid tests twice a year.

Basic examination: blood routine, stool routine, and thyroid function test once a year.

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular: The doctor will recommend the frequency of examinations based on individual risks (such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia), generally once every 2 to 3 years for cardiac ultrasound, carotid artery ultrasound, and transcranial Doppler ultrasound; patients with hypertension should also undergo dynamic blood pressure monitoring.

Tumor screening: Tumor markers once a year; low-dose CT once a year for people at high risk of lung cancer. Colonoscopy once every 10 years, once every 3-5 years for those with a history of polyps; the frequency of gastroscopy screening can be adjusted according to the doctor's advice.

Bone health: Bone density test once a year (more frequent after menopause for women and after age 70 for men).

In addition to regular physical examinations, a healthy lifestyle is also an important measure to prevent diseases. A scientific and balanced diet, moderate exercise, and a good work and rest schedule can effectively reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Especially in the fast-paced modern life, keeping a happy mood, reducing stress, and increasing social activities are also important factors in promoting physical health.

In summary, physical examinations for different age groups have different focuses, but the importance of regular physical examinations remains unchanged. Through timely physical examinations, we can detect and treat diseases early, improve health and enhance the quality of life. I hope everyone can pay attention to health examinations, plan ahead, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and create a better future for themselves and their families.

Source: Chongqing Science and Technology Museum

About the author: Chen Mengting, attending physician of the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Chongqing University, doctor of medicine, national registered nutritionist

Audit expert: Li Chunli

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