Screenings at 75
Seventy-five is the last year of several ranges: colorectal screening (grade A) and the aorta ultrasound for men who have smoked. The mammogram range ended at 74. (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2019) (USPSTF, 2024)
Short answer: health checks at 75
- Last year: colorectal screening as a routine grade A service (case by case from 76 to 85), and the one-time aortic aneurysm ultrasound for men 65 to 75 who have ever smoked. (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2019)
- Keep going: blood pressure every year; for women, bone density scans, which have no upper age; a yearly lung CT through 80 if you qualify. (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2025) (USPSTF, 2021)
- Ended: mammograms every 2 years ran to 74; from 75 the USPSTF found the evidence insufficient (grade I). (USPSTF, 2024)
- Stopped: PSA screening from 70 (grade D); cervical screening after 65 for women with adequate prior screening who are not at high risk. (USPSTF, 2018) (USPSTF, 2018)
- Falls: exercise to prevent falls for adults 65 and older at increased risk (grade B). (USPSTF, 2024)
What changes at 75
- Breast cancer: the grade B range ended at 74. For women 75 or older the evidence is not enough to decide (grade I). (USPSTF, 2024)
- Colorectal cancer: grade A runs to 75. From 76 to 85, screen selectively, based on overall health, past screening and preferences (grade C). (USPSTF, 2021)
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm: 75 is the last year for the one-time ultrasound for men who have ever smoked. (USPSTF, 2019)
Blood tests at 75
Blood tests behind USPSTF advice at 75, each for the people the line names:
- Cholesterol (lipid panel): used in the heart risk estimate behind the statin advice, which covers 40 to 75; from 76 the evidence for starting a statin is insufficient. (USPSTF, 2022)
- Hepatitis C: once for adults 18 to 79, if never tested. (USPSTF, 2020)
- Blood sugar: the screening range for adults with overweight or obesity ended at 70. (USPSTF, 2021)
- HIV: the routine range ended at 65; testing now is for people at increased risk. (USPSTF, 2019)
Not routine screening tests:
- A complete blood count (CBC) and a basic or comprehensive metabolic panel are not on the USPSTF list of recommended (A and B) services for adults without symptoms. (USPSTF, A and B list)
- Thyroid tests: the USPSTF found the evidence insufficient to recommend for or against screening adults without symptoms. (USPSTF, 2015)
- Vitamin D: the same, evidence insufficient for adults without symptoms. (USPSTF, 2021)
Your doctor may still order any of these for symptoms, medicines or a known condition. Ranges for the numbers: know your numbers. All ages in one table: blood tests by age.
Prevention at 75: medicines and habits
Not screenings, but USPSTF-graded steps that can apply at 75. Each applies only to some people; the line says who.
- Statins for prevention: Adults 40 to 75 with a risk factor and a 10-year heart risk of 10% or more (grade B). 76 and older: evidence insufficient. (USPSTF, 2022)
- Daily aspirin: Do not start at 60 or older (grade D). At 40 to 59 with a 10-year heart risk of 10% or more: an individual decision (grade C). (USPSTF, 2022)
- Falls prevention, 65 and older: Exercise for adults 65+ at higher fall risk (grade B); a personal fall-risk plan case by case (grade C); vitamin D for falls: draft says no. (USPSTF, 2024) (USPSTF draft, 2024, not final)
- PrEP to prevent HIV: Teens and adults at increased risk of HIV, weighing at least 35 kg (77 lb): PrEP medicine to lower the risk (grade A). (USPSTF, 2023)
- Medicines to lower breast cancer risk: Women 35+ at increased risk: offer tamoxifen, raloxifene or an aromatase inhibitor (grade B). Not at increased risk: do not use routinely (grade D). (USPSTF, 2019)
- Quitting smoking: Adults: counseling plus FDA-approved medicines (grade A). Pregnancy: counseling (A); medicines and e-cigarettes, evidence insufficient (I). Free help: 1-800-QUIT-NOW. (USPSTF, 2021) (Smokefree.gov)
- Healthy eating and activity counseling: Adults with heart risk factors: counseling on diet and activity (grade B). Without risk factors: case by case (grade C). (USPSTF, 2020) (USPSTF, 2022)
- Weight-loss programs, BMI 30+: Adults with a BMI of 30 or higher: offer or refer to an intensive weight-loss program built on diet and activity (grade B). (USPSTF, 2018)
Before the visit: questions to ask your doctor about screening at 75, ready to print.
Where 75 sits on the chart
Average-risk adults. Age ranges from the USPSTF. The line marks age 75.
Swipe sideways to see ages 18 to 85
- Blood pressure : ages 18 and older
- Cervical cancer (women) : ages 21 to 65
- Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, if a risk factor applies : ages 35 to 70, if you have overweight or obesity
- Breast cancer (women) : ages 40 to 74
- Colorectal cancer : ages 45 to 75
- Lung cancer, if a risk factor applies : ages 50 to 80, if you have a 20 pack-year history and smoke now or quit within 15 years
- Osteoporosis (women) : ages 65 and older
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (men), if a risk factor applies : ages 65 to 75, if you have ever smoked
- Hepatitis C : ages 18 to 79
- HIV : ages 18 to 65
- Depression : ages 18 and older
- Anxiety : ages 18 to 64
- Unhealthy alcohol use : ages 18 and older
- Unhealthy drug use : ages 18 and older
- BRCA risk assessment (women), if a risk factor applies : ages 18 and older, if you or your family have had breast, ovarian, tubal or peritoneal cancer
- Chlamydia and gonorrhea (women), if a risk factor applies : ages 18 to 24, if you are sexually active
- Syphilis, if a risk factor applies : ages 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)
- Hepatitis B, if a risk factor applies : ages 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)
- Latent tuberculosis, if a risk factor applies : ages 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)
Bars show the age range each recommendation covers, not how often to test. Open-ended ranges run to the edge of the chart. Tap a bar for the interval, test options and the USPSTF source.
Women at 75
| Screening | Ages | How often | Grade | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure | 18 and older | Every year | A | USPSTF, 2021 |
| Colorectal cancer | 45 to 75 | 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 | A | USPSTF, 2021 |
| Lung cancer Only if you have a 20 pack-year history and smoke now or quit within 15 years | 50 to 80 | Every year | B | USPSTF, 2021 |
| Osteoporosis | 65 and older | Not set by the USPSTF; evidence on repeat intervals is limited | B | USPSTF, 2025 |
| Hepatitis C | 18 to 79 | Once for most adults; repeat if risk continues (for example, injection drug use) | B | USPSTF, 2020 |
| Depression | 18 and older | No set interval; screen if not screened before, then use clinical judgment | B | USPSTF, 2023 |
| Unhealthy alcohol use | 18 and older | No set interval | B | USPSTF, 2018 |
| Unhealthy drug use | 18 and older | No set interval | B | USPSTF, 2020 |
| BRCA risk assessment Only if you or your family have had breast, ovarian, tubal or peritoneal cancer | 18 and older | Once, with genetic counseling if the risk tool is positive | B | USPSTF, 2019 |
Men at 75
| Screening | Ages | How often | Grade | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure | 18 and older | Every year | A | USPSTF, 2021 |
| Colorectal cancer | 45 to 75 | 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 | A | USPSTF, 2021 |
| Lung cancer Only if you have a 20 pack-year history and smoke now or quit within 15 years | 50 to 80 | Every year | B | USPSTF, 2021 |
| Abdominal aortic aneurysm Only if you have ever smoked | 65 to 75 | Once | B | USPSTF, 2019 |
| Hepatitis C | 18 to 79 | Once for most adults; repeat if risk continues (for example, injection drug use) | B | USPSTF, 2020 |
| Depression | 18 and older | No set interval; screen if not screened before, then use clinical judgment | B | USPSTF, 2023 |
| Unhealthy alcohol use | 18 and older | No set interval | B | USPSTF, 2018 |
| Unhealthy drug use | 18 and older | No set interval | B | USPSTF, 2020 |
Rows marked "Only if" apply when that risk factor is true for you. Other ages: 18, 21, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 80, 85, or the full chart (printable PDF). By sex: screenings for women over 75, screenings for men over 75. How often each test repeats: screening intervals chart. Cost: which screenings insurance and Medicare cover.
Questions people ask
What health screenings should I have at 75?
Under the USPSTF: a blood pressure check every year, colorectal screening (75 is the last year of the grade A range), bone density scans for women, and a lung CT if you have a heavy smoking history. Men who have ever smoked and never had the aortic aneurysm ultrasound can still have it at 75. Mammograms every 2 years ended at 74, and PSA screening is not recommended from 70. (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2025) (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2019) (USPSTF, 2024) (USPSTF, 2018)
What blood tests should I get at 75?
Cholesterol, for the heart risk estimate behind statin advice, which runs through 75, and hepatitis C once if never tested. The blood sugar range ended at 70 and the routine HIV range at 65. A CBC, metabolic panel, thyroid or vitamin D test is not a routine USPSTF screening; your doctor may order one for a reason. (USPSTF, 2022) (USPSTF, 2020) (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2019) (USPSTF, 2015) (USPSTF, 2021)