Screenings at 85
At 85, colorectal screening is still a case-by-case choice, and 85 is the last year of that range. Bone density screening for women and blood pressure checks have no upper age. (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2025) (USPSTF, 2021)
Short answer: health checks at 85
- Case by case, last year: colorectal screening from 76 to 85 (grade C), offered selectively based on your health and past screening. (USPSTF, 2021)
- Keep going: blood pressure every year; for women, bone density scans, which have no upper age. (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2025)
- Ended: the yearly lung CT range at 80, and the one-time aortic aneurysm ultrasound for men at 75. (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2019)
- Stopped: mammograms after 74 (evidence insufficient from 75), PSA screening from 70 (grade D), and cervical screening after 65 with adequate prior screening. (USPSTF, 2024) (USPSTF, 2018) (USPSTF, 2018)
- Falls: exercise to prevent falls for adults 65 and older at increased risk (grade B). (USPSTF, 2024)
What applies at 85
- Colorectal cancer: from 76 to 85, screen selectively, based on overall health, past screening and preferences (grade C). The USPSTF recommendation covers adults up to 85. (USPSTF, 2021)
- Breast cancer: for women 75 or older the evidence is not enough to decide on routine mammograms (grade I). (USPSTF, 2024)
- Cervical cancer: after 65, the USPSTF advises against screening women who had adequate prior screening and are not at high risk. (USPSTF, 2018)
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm: the one-time ultrasound for men who have ever smoked was for ages 65 to 75. (USPSTF, 2019)
- Lung cancer: the yearly low-dose CT range ended at 80. (USPSTF, 2021)
- Hepatitis C: the grade B range ended at 79. (USPSTF, 2020)
- Osteoporosis: bone density screening for women has no upper age limit. (USPSTF, 2025)
- Blood pressure: checks continue every year, with no upper age limit. (USPSTF, 2021)
Blood tests at 85
Blood tests behind USPSTF advice at 85, each for the people the line names:
- Cholesterol: the USPSTF statin advice covers 40 to 75; from 76 it found the evidence insufficient to recommend for or against starting a statin. (USPSTF, 2022)
- Blood sugar: the screening range for adults with overweight or obesity ended at 70. (USPSTF, 2021)
- Hepatitis C: the one-time screening range ended at 79. (USPSTF, 2020)
- 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 85: medicines and habits
Not screenings, but USPSTF-graded steps that can apply at 85. 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 85, ready to print.
Where 85 sits on the chart
Average-risk adults. Age ranges from the USPSTF. The line marks age 85.
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 85
| Screening | Ages | How often | Grade | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure | 18 and older | Every year | A | USPSTF, 2021 |
| Osteoporosis | 65 and older | Not set by the USPSTF; evidence on repeat intervals is limited | B | USPSTF, 2025 |
| 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 85
| Screening | Ages | How often | Grade | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure | 18 and older | Every year | A | USPSTF, 2021 |
| 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, 75, 80, 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 85?
Under the USPSTF: a blood pressure check every year and bone density scans for women. Colorectal screening is a case-by-case choice through 85. The lung CT range ended at 80 and the aortic aneurysm ultrasound at 75; mammograms after 74, PSA screening from 70 and cervical screening after 65 are no longer routine. Exercise to prevent falls is advised if you are at increased risk. (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2025) (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2019) (USPSTF, 2024) (USPSTF, 2018) (USPSTF, 2018) (USPSTF, 2024)
What blood tests should I get at 85?
None is a routine USPSTF screening at 85: the ranges for blood sugar (to 70), hepatitis C (to 79) and HIV (to 65) have ended, and for starting a statin from 76 the evidence is insufficient. A CBC, metabolic panel, thyroid or vitamin D test is not a routine screening either; your doctor may order any of them for a reason. (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2020) (USPSTF, 2019) (USPSTF, 2022) (USPSTF, 2015) (USPSTF, 2021)