What are some of the routine medical tests for seniors? The guidelines below follow the recommendations by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and are based on extensive clinical data.

This list is not intended to all inclusive and your doctor should be consulted about the various screenings that pertain to you and any health condition you may have.

Influenza vaccination for the elderly is recommended each year. Annual vaccinations are necessary because the virus changes each year.

Pneumonia can be a serious condition and can even lead to death. Did you know there are more than 80 different pneumonia bacteria? Twenty-three are covered by the current vaccination. The vaccine stimulates the body’s normal immune system, thereby producing antibodies that fight the pneumonia bacteria. This vaccine does not protect you from pneumonia caused by microbes other than pneumoccous bacteria.

Colon cancer screenings are recommended for those 50 and older. Those in a high-risk group who have had family members with colon cancer need to start earlier.

Friday is Go Red for Women day. Go Red For Women celebrates the energy, passion and power women have to band together to wipe out heart disease and stroke. The event is designed to raise awareness that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women. Women are encouraged to talk to their doctor about their family health history to determine appropriate medical tests and strategies for managing risks.

Mammogram recommendations have changed. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends mammograms for women 50 to 74 every other year. It says women and their doctors should discuss the benefits and risks of mammograms beginning at age 40. The findings don’t apply to high-risk patients, such as those with a family history of breast cancer.

Prostate cancer screenings can be done with an annual rectal exam and a prostate-sensitive antigen blood test. This screening is recommended for men 50 and older.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and there are more than 1 million new cases each year. From the very least to the most dangerous they are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma first stage called actinic keratosis and melanoma. Those who have had long-term exposure to the sun should be checked annually by a dermatologist.

Osteoporosis is a disease where your bones become less dense, increasing the possibility of bone fractures. Osteoporosis or low bone mass affects an estimated 44 million Americans, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Women are four times likely to develop this disease than men. Postmenopausal women should have a bone density test and follow up at intervals according to their doctor’s recommendation.

Blood testing can reveal conditions including diabetes, liver disease, cholesterol and thyroid issues, just to name a few. Your doctor will start by following general maintenance guidelines as well as creating an individualized plan based on your family medical history.

No one wants to get bad news, but avoiding medical tests doesn’t mean problems will go away. In fact, delaying testing only serves to delay treatment. Early detection and early treatment are your best defenses in effectively managing a health condition.