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I know that I've been gone for a while -- my mother passed away on June 6th, and I've been absolutely overwhelmed dealing with everything. I'm just about ready to return to my normal life, and that means that my blogs will be returning too. I look forward to reconnecting with my site visitors -- keep an eye out for me in late September!

Being organized means taking responsibility for your own health care -- knowing what tests and shots you should have at what age, when you should start paying attention to your cholesterol level or bone density or prostate. This checklist makes it easy to be proactive about your family's well-being.

For Everyone

• 
  cholesterol blood test -- every 3-5 years starting at age 35
• 
  blood pressure test -- annually regardless of age
• 
  full colorectal cancer screening -- every 5-10 years starting at age 50
• 
  fecal occult blood test -- annually starting at age 40
• 
  skin self-exam -- monthly and annual in-office exam for skin tumors
• 
  eye exam with glaucoma test -- every year regardless of age and full dilation every 2-3 years
• 
  dental exam -- annually regardless of age with x-rays every 3-5 years

For Men

• 
  prostate exam -- yearly starting at age 40, sooner if you have prostate troubles or are at high risk
• 
  prostate-specific antigen test -- annually starting at age 50
• 
  annual testicular exam -- starting at age 15

For Women

• 
  mammogram -- every 1-2 years starting at age 40
• 
  pelvic exam and pap smear -- annually starting at age 20 or first sexual activity
• 
  bone density test -- every 1-3 years starting at age 50, sooner if a family history of osteoporosis
• 
  breast self-exam -- monthly and in-office exam annually starting at age 25

Special Circumstances

• 
  bone density test -- early if you are Asian, Caucasian, small boned, smoke, or take certain meds
• 
  cholesterol test -- at age 20 if smoke, diabetic, or history of heart disease
• 
  diabetes test -- if you are overweight, hypertensive, or have high cholesterol
• 
  fasting plasma glucose test -- if you have a family history of diabetes
• 
  test for STDs and AIDS -- if you have multiple partners or unprotected sex

Vaccination Schedule

• 
  0 to 2 months -- first dose Hepatitis B
• 
  1 to 4 months -- second dose Hepatitis B
• 
  2 months -- DTP, type B influenza, polio, pneumococcal conjugate
• 
  4 months -- DTP, type B influenza, polio, pneumococcal conjugate
• 
  6 months -- DTP, type B influenza, pneumococcal conjugate
• 
  6 to 18 months -- third dose Hepatitis B, polio
• 
  12 to 15 months -- type B influenza, pneumococcal conjugate, MMR
• 
  12 to 18 months -- varicella
• 
  24 months to age 18 -- Hepatitis A (for high-risk groups)
• 
  ages 4 to 6 -- DTP, polio, MMR
• 
  ages 11 to 12 -- tetanus booster (delay if less <5 years since last vaccine)
• 
  adults every 10 years -- tetanus-diphtheria pertussis
• 
  women -- human papillomavirus
• 
  adults at risk -- Hepatitis B
• 
  adults age 50+ -- yearly influenza
• 
  adults age 65+ -- yearly pneumococcal conjugate

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