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Manage Your Health

If you want to maintain your best health, the most important thing you can do is stay up-to-date on your various yearly screenings. When conditions like diabetes or high cholesterol are diagnosed early, it’s easier to get those conditions under control so they don’t rule your life. And Avera can help!

Manage your health and live better with the yearly screenings offered at Avera locations across the Upper Midwest and more.

Helpful Checkups for Every Age

For optimal health at every age, you can take advantage of specific checkups, tests and screenings. Physical exams, cholesterol checks, colonoscopies and other exams can detect issues before they become serious concerns. View screenings recommended for your age group:

Recommended Screenings by Age

AGE 18-39

Blood Pressure Screening

  • Every two years

Cholesterol Screening

  • Every five years
  • Especially men over 34

Immunizations

  • Tetanus-diphtheria every 10 years
  • Yearly flu shot
  • HPV (if not received)

MEN

Testicular Exam

  • Monthly testicular self-exam

WOMEN

Breast Exam

  • Monthly breast self-exam
  • A complete breast exam every three years (age 20-40)

Pelvic Exam and Pap Smear

  • Pelvic exam every one to two years
  • Pap smear every three to five years starting by the age of 21

AGE 40-64

Blood Pressure Screening

  • Every two years

Cholesterol Screening

  • Men over 34 and women over 44 should be checked every five years

Colon Cancer Screening

  • Every 10 years between age 45 and 80
  • Fecal stool testing is an option every one to three years (it depends on type of test done)

Immunizations

  • Flu vaccine every year
  • Tetanus-diphtheria vaccine every 10 years
  • Shingles is a two-part series and covered for age 50 and over

Physical Exam

  • Every one to five years

Lung Cancer Screening

  • Screening can begin at age 50

MEN

Prostate Exam

  • Over 50 should consider screenings
  • If you have a family history of prostate cancer, begin screenings at age 45

WOMEN

Breast Exams and Mammograms

  • Monthly breast self-exam
  • Women over age 40 should have a mammogram done every one to two years

Pelvic Exam and Pap Smear

  • Pelvic exam every one to two years
  • Pap smear every five years

AGE 65 and Older

Blood Pressure Screening

  • Every year

Cholesterol Screening

  • Every three to five years

Colon Cancer Screening

  • Colonoscopy every ten years
  • Fecal stool testing is an option every one to three years (it depends on type of test done)

Immunizations

  • Over 65 should get a pneumococcal vaccine if you have not had one before or if you received one more than five years before the age of 65
  • Flu shot every year
  • Tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years
  • Shingles is a two-part series and covered for age 50 and over

Physical Exam

  • Every year

Lung Cancer Screening

  • Screening can begin at age 50

MEN

Prostate Exam

  • All men should discuss prostate screenings with their doctor

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening

  • Ages 65-75 who have smoked should have an ultrasound done once to screen for abdominal aneurysms

WOMEN

Breast Exams and Mammograms

  • Monthly breast self-exam
  • Mammogram every one to two years

Osteoporosis Screening

  • All women should have a DXA scan done

Pelvic Exam

  • Pelvic exam every one to two years

In addition to regular screenings, you can take simple steps each day. Check out Infographic: 8 steps to manage your health.

Healthy Weight Services

Maintaining an ideal weight for your body contributes to your overall health. You might have more energy, move without pain and better manage chronic health conditions. You might even prevent disease from developing.

Whatever your goal, whatever your why — Avera supports you on your healthy weight journey with services tailored to your needs. Supervision from your primary care provider, a registered dietitian and/or other experts helps ensure safety and accountability.

Sign up for our healthy weight email series for tips on choosing healthy foods, managing stress and improving your fitness.

Sports Physicals

A sports physical helps ensure student athletes are in top physical condition to compete.

The easiest way to guarantee your child is ready to compete is to schedule a yearly checkup. Yearly checkups can be used as a sports physical; however, a sports physical is not a substitute for a yearly checkup.

A yearly checkup covers the entire health spectrum of a child - mind, body and spirit - and is good for one full year. Avera recommends a checkup at least 3 months before beginning any sports, so schedule one as soon as possible.

Living with a Chronic Condition

If you live with a chronic condition, communicate openly with your provider to better understand and manage your health. The more you know, the more you’ll feel satisfied with your visit to the doctor. Check out 5 questions to ask your doctor.

Insurance Information

A yearly checkup with your primary care provider or family doctor is vital to long-term wellness. Yearly checkups are 100% covered by most insurance plans — that’s zero cost to you. Contact your health insurer with any questions about coverage.

AveraChart

Be a more active partner in your health care with AveraChart – a free and secure way to access your health care information and communicate with your care team.

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Moving Health Forward

Avera is a health ministry rooted in the Gospel. Our mission is to make a positive impact in the lives and health of persons and communities by providing quality services guided by Christian values.

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