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Expert recommendations for preventative health care and screenings change as you age — and hitting your 50s is a milestone that comes with additional guidelines to help keep your health going strong.
has compiled a to help you know which preventative screenings should be on your list in every age group.
Even if you feel set in your ways by your 50s, there are things you can do to change your health trajectory.
"It's never too late," says Dr. Céline Gounder, a TheNews medical contributor and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health. "If you're still a smoker, quit smoking. If you don't exercise at all, even just walking a little bit every day, taking the stairs instead of the elevator — very small things can really make a big difference for your health."
So what should 50-somethings have on their preventative checklist? Here is a look at the guidelines experts recommend for people at average risk:
People age 50 or older are urged to against shingles, the federal Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion . "Shingles causes a painful rash that can last for months," the office warns — and the risk increases as you age.
You should also make sure you're up-to-date on other vaccines, including the Td or Tdap booster shot, which protects against tetanus and diphtheria, and the and annual ,
Dr. Robert M. Biernbaum, chief medical officer for WellNow Urgent Care, says the flu vaccine isn't something people think about as a preventative measure but is a top recommendation. "Flu vaccine is recommended from the ages of 6 months to 80-plus years," he says.
Lung cancer screening — The latest lung cancer screening from the American Cancer Society recommends for people aged 50 to 80 years old who smoke or formerly smoked and have a 20-year or greater pack-year history. ( is the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day multiplied by the number of years smoked, the organization explains.)
Prostate cancer screening — Starting at age 50, men should consider prostate cancer screenings, Biernbaum says, which includes a physical exam and a prostate-specific antigen blood test, or PSA. According to recommendations from the , or USPSTF, an independent panel of national experts, screenings should be up to the individual beginning at age 55, pointing to the risk of false positives. How often screenings are done after that is based on risk factors, Biernbaum adds.
In addition to the new recommendations for this age group, it's also important to keep up with , including:
This guide is based on guidelines from health organizations and experts for people at average risk. Age and frequency of screenings may differ for individuals based on family history and personal risk factors. This does not take the place of your personal doctor's recommendations for your health.
