How often do you need each screening test?
Every screening test on this site, sorted by how often it repeats once you are in its age range. Each interval is the USPSTF's, for people at average risk with normal results; after an abnormal result, your doctor sets a new schedule.
Only what applies to you. Many tests apply only at certain ages or with a risk factor; the ages and conditions are in the full table below. Your screening plan shows only the ones for your age and sex.
Every year
- Blood pressure, from 40 or if at higher risk. All adults, 18 and older. (USPSTF, 2021)
- Low-dose CT scan for lung cancer. All adults, 50 to 80; if you have a 20 pack-year history and smoke now or quit within 15 years. (USPSTF, 2021)
- Stool test for colorectal cancer. All adults, 45 to 75. (USPSTF, 2021)
Every 1 to 3 years
- Stool DNA-FIT test for colorectal cancer. All adults, 45 to 75. (USPSTF, 2021)
Every 2 years
- Mammogram. Women, 40 to 74. (USPSTF, 2024)
Every 3 years
- Pap test, from 21. Women, 21 to 65. (USPSTF, 2018)
- Blood sugar test, if normal (the USPSTF says every 3 years may be reasonable). All adults, 35 to 70; if you have overweight or obesity. (USPSTF, 2021)
Every 3 to 5 years
- Blood pressure, 18 to 39 with normal readings and no added risk. All adults, 18 and older. (USPSTF, 2021)
Every 5 years
- HPV test, or HPV and Pap together (cotest), from 30. Women, 21 to 65. (USPSTF, 2018)
- CT colonography or flexible sigmoidoscopy. All adults, 45 to 75. (USPSTF, 2021)
Every 10 years
- Colonoscopy. All adults, 45 to 75. (USPSTF, 2021)
Once
- Hepatitis C blood test (repeat if risk continues). All adults, 18 to 79. (USPSTF, 2020)
- HIV test, at least once (repeat if at increased risk). All adults, 18 to 65. (USPSTF, 2019)
- Ultrasound for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Men, 65 to 75; if you have ever smoked. (USPSTF, 2019)
- BRCA family risk check. Women, 18 and older; if you or your family have had breast, ovarian, tubal or peritoneal cancer. (USPSTF, 2019)
No set interval
- Bone density scan. Women, 65 and older. (USPSTF, 2025)
- Bone density scan before 65. Women, 18 to 64; if you are past menopause and at increased risk. (USPSTF, 2025)
- Depression questionnaire. All adults, 18 and older. (USPSTF, 2023)
- Anxiety questionnaire. All adults, 18 to 64. (USPSTF, 2023)
- Alcohol questions. All adults, 18 and older. (USPSTF, 2018)
- Drug use questions. All adults, 18 and older. (USPSTF, 2020)
- Chlamydia and gonorrhea test. Women, 18 to 24; if you are sexually active. (USPSTF, 2021)
- Chlamydia and gonorrhea test, 25 and older at increased risk. Women, 25 and older; if you are sexually active and at increased risk (for example a new or more than one sex partner, or a past STI). (USPSTF, 2021)
- Syphilis test. All adults, 18 and older; if you are at increased risk (for example HIV or another STI, men who have sex with men, drug use, or past incarceration). (USPSTF, 2022)
- Hepatitis B test. All adults, 18 and older; if you are at increased risk (for example born where hepatitis B is common, HIV, injection drug use, or a household or sex partner with hepatitis B). (USPSTF, 2020)
- Latent tuberculosis test. All adults, 18 and older; if you are at increased risk (born in or lived in a country where TB is common, or lived in a shelter or correctional facility). (USPSTF, 2023)
Full table: test, ages and interval
In the USPSTF's own terms, one row per recommendation. (USPSTF A and B list)
| Screening | Who | Test | How often | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure | All adults, 18 and older | Office blood pressure measurement, confirmed outside the clinic before treatment | Every year from 40 or if at higher risk; every 3 to 5 years for adults 18 to 39 with normal readings and no added risk | USPSTF, 2021, grade A |
| Cervical cancer | Women, 21 to 65 | Cervical cytology (Pap test); from 30, high-risk HPV testing alone or with cytology | Every 3 years (Pap test) from 21; from 30, every 3 years (Pap) or every 5 years (HPV test or cotest) | USPSTF, 2018, grade A |
| Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes | All adults, 35 to 70, if you have overweight or obesity | Fasting plasma glucose, A1c, or oral glucose tolerance test | Every 3 years may be reasonable if results are normal | USPSTF, 2021, grade B |
| Breast cancer | Women, 40 to 74 | Screening mammography | Every 2 years | USPSTF, 2024, grade B |
| Colorectal cancer | All adults, 45 to 75 | Stool-based test or direct visualization (colonoscopy, CT colonography, flexible sigmoidoscopy) | Depends on the test: stool test every year, stool DNA-FIT every 1 to 3 years, CT colonography or flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, colonoscopy every 10 years | USPSTF, 2021, grade A |
| Lung cancer | All adults, 50 to 80, if you have a 20 pack-year history and smoke now or quit within 15 years | Low-dose CT scan (LDCT) | Every year | USPSTF, 2021, grade B |
| Osteoporosis | Women, 65 and older | Bone density scan (DXA), with or without a fracture risk assessment | Not set by the USPSTF; evidence on repeat intervals is limited | USPSTF, 2025, grade B |
| Osteoporosis (before 65) | Women, 18 to 64, if you are past menopause and at increased risk | Bone density scan (DXA), with or without a fracture risk assessment | Not set by the USPSTF; evidence on repeat intervals is limited | USPSTF, 2025, grade B |
| Abdominal aortic aneurysm | Men, 65 to 75, if you have ever smoked | Abdominal ultrasound | Once | USPSTF, 2019, grade B |
| Hepatitis C | All adults, 18 to 79 | Antibody blood test, then a confirming test if positive | Once for most adults; repeat if risk continues (for example, injection drug use) | USPSTF, 2020, grade B |
| HIV | All adults, 18 to 65 | HIV blood test | At least once; repeat testing is reasonable for people at increased risk | USPSTF, 2019, grade A |
| Depression | All adults, 18 and older | Short questionnaire in primary care | No set interval; screen if not screened before, then use clinical judgment | USPSTF, 2023, grade B |
| Anxiety | All adults, 18 to 64 | Short questionnaire in primary care | No set interval | USPSTF, 2023, grade B |
| Unhealthy alcohol use | All adults, 18 and older | Brief questions such as AUDIT-C or a single alcohol screening question, with brief counseling if needed | No set interval | USPSTF, 2018, grade B |
| Unhealthy drug use | All adults, 18 and older | Questions about drug use (not a blood or urine test), such as the NIDA Quick Screen | No set interval | USPSTF, 2020, grade B |
| BRCA risk assessment | Women, 18 and older, if you or your family have had breast, ovarian, tubal or peritoneal cancer | Brief familial risk assessment tool, then genetic counseling and possibly testing | Once, with genetic counseling if the risk tool is positive | USPSTF, 2019, grade B |
| Chlamydia and gonorrhea | Women, 18 to 24, if you are sexually active | Nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), for example on urine or a vaginal swab; one sample tests for both | No set interval; test again if new or ongoing risk factors since the last negative test | USPSTF, 2021, grade B |
| Chlamydia and gonorrhea (25 and older) | Women, 25 and older, if you are sexually active and at increased risk (for example a new or more than one sex partner, or a past STI) | Nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), for example on urine or a vaginal swab; one sample tests for both | No set interval; test again if new or ongoing risk factors since the last negative test | USPSTF, 2021, grade B |
| Syphilis | All adults, 18 and older, if you are at increased risk (for example HIV or another STI, men who have sex with men, drug use, or past incarceration) | Blood test for syphilis; a positive result is confirmed with a second type of syphilis test | Evidence on intervals is limited; at least yearly, or every 3 to 6 months, for men who have sex with men or people with HIV who stay at high risk | USPSTF, 2022, grade A |
| Hepatitis B | All adults, 18 and older, if you are at increased risk (for example born where hepatitis B is common, HIV, injection drug use, or a household or sex partner with hepatitis B) | Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) blood test, with a confirmatory test if reactive | Periodically for people whose risk continues | USPSTF, 2020, grade B |
| Latent tuberculosis | All adults, 18 and older, if you are at increased risk (born in or lived in a country where TB is common, or lived in a shelter or correctional facility) | Tuberculin skin test (TST) or interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) blood test | Once to yearly, depending on continued risk of exposure | USPSTF, 2023, grade B |
Questions people ask
How often should you get a mammogram?
Every 2 years from 40 to 74, in the USPSTF recommendation (grade B). (USPSTF, 2024)
How often do you need a colonoscopy?
Every 10 years from 45 to 75 if results are normal. Other colorectal tests repeat more often: a stool test every year, stool DNA-FIT every 1 to 3 years, and CT colonography or flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years. (USPSTF, 2021)
How often do you need a Pap smear?
Every 3 years from 21 to 65. From 30 you can instead have an HPV test, or an HPV test with a Pap test (cotest), every 5 years. (USPSTF, 2018)
How often should blood pressure be checked?
Every year from 40, or for anyone at higher risk. From 18 to 39 with normal readings and no added risk, every 3 to 5 years. (USPSTF, 2021)
How often should you get a bone density test?
The USPSTF does not set an interval; it says the evidence on repeat screening is limited. (USPSTF, 2025)