Your Yearly Checkup

A Good Opportunity to Talk With Your Provider,
But Many Tests Are Often Unnecessary

Many people see their healthcare provider yearly for a physical examination. Providers have often ordered certain laboratory tests routinely, but in light of current research, it appears that many of these tests are unnecessary.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has failed to find strong evidence to support the routine performance of the following screenings in most adults:

• Metabolic panel or electrolytes
• Blood count
• Urinalysis
• Thyroid function
• EKG
• Chest X-ray

In addition, the USPSTF finds that there is insufficient evidence to support routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing for prostate cancer. In fact, the PSA test for screening is very controversial, with a lack of consensus among medical experts. For more information about prostate cancer and the PSA test, go to http://patients.uptodate.com/topic.asp?file=cancer/6435.

The USPSTF does recommend the following routine screenings:

• Pap test
• Mammogram
• Colorectal screening
• Cholesterol screening
• High blood pressure check

Please talk with your healthcare provider about the routine testing that is most appropriate for you.

Please note: The above information refers to healthy adults without symptoms of disease. Patients with chronic diseases or other active medical problems may need these or other tests.

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