Medical Tests at 60 and Beyond

Posted on Friday, August 1, 2025

by AMAC, D.J. Wilson

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Growing up doesn’t come with a handbook, and neither does aging. Navigating health and wellness during the golden years is essential. Here are some recommendations of medical tests that may be beneficial as one grows older. Talk to your physician to discover which ones are right for you.

The good news is…we are living longer!

The average life expectancy of a newborn in 1900 was 32 years old. By 2021, it had more than doubled to 71 years of age. This increase in life duration means that the population of elderly citizens is expanding. Science and medicine have come a long way to keep people healthier and living longer.

We’re growing older! Do we really need tests and screenings?

As longevity increases, older individuals are encouraged to undergo periodic health examinations, screenings, and tests for wellness. These medical assessments can identify health problems early to optimize treatment and promote healthy living.

These and other tests may be recommended for people age 60 and up:

Annual physical examination – This yearly checkup is performed at a general practitioner’s office and addresses body health, preventative care, and current medical needs. Doctors will evaluate and monitor a patient’s overall health by checking vitals: temperature, weight, heart rate, blood pressure, and more. In addition to a physical examination, doctors may screen older patients for mental health issues, perform basic memory tests, review medications, and check that they are current on vaccinations such as pneumonia, shingles, and influenza. Patients may be referred to specialists for annual bloodwork or other pertinent tests.
Annual eye examination – Here, doctors look at a patient’s health history and test eye health using various instruments. They typically ask patients to look through several lenses. Sometimes, they may dilate the eyes. As people grow older, they are at increased risk of age-associated vision changes and problems. Doctors typically check for eye diseases like age-related macular degeneration (a retinal condition), cataracts (a lens condition), and Glaucoma (an optic nerve condition) and more. Since visual acuity can decrease with age, don’t skip this important appointment.
Colorectal cancer screening – Per American Cancer Society, individuals at average risk of colorectal cancer should begin regular screening at age 45. Checks for colon cancer may involve fecal occult blood test (non-invasive test that checks for blood in the stool), sigmoidoscopy (examining the lower part of the colon), or colonoscopy (examining the entire colon). In healthy individuals, colonoscopy is typically performed every 10 years. People with polyps may require more frequent testing. Those in good health should continue standard screenings through age 75. Patients should talk to their doctors thereafter to discuss testing frequency. Screenings are not recommended for people age 85 and up.
Mammogram (For women) – This X-ray image of the breast is widely regarded as a lifesaving tool for detecting most breast cancers early. Testing is typically prescribed yearly for healthy women beginning at age 40. However, doctors consider a patient’s medical history plus other factors to determine when to begin and frequency of testing. Most patients are over 50 when they receive a breast cancer diagnosis. Thus, regular breast examinations plus mammograms as needed are essential. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force currently recommends biennial screening mammography for healthy women 50 to 74. Regardless, speak to your healthcare provider to learn what’s right for you.
Prostate examination (For men) – Starting at age 50, prostate exams (also known as digital rectal exams or DREs) are part of health checkups for most men. Examinations check the chestnut-shaped gland located near the bladder. Prostate exams help doctors diagnose enlarged prostates – plus act as screening tools for prostate cancer, the second-most cancer affecting men. A doctor may order a blood test called a prostate-specific antigen test (PSA) yearly or less often to help screen patients. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that men ages 55 to 69 decide for themselves whether to undergo a PSA screening. Men over 70 should check with their doctor(s) regarding testing and examinations.
Pelvic exam, pap smear, HPV test (For women) – Most people associate these examinations with younger women. Females age 60 and up may still require testing as routine healthcare. A pelvic examination checks for tumors, sexually transmitted infections, and other health conditions. Pap smears (testing for pre-cancerous or cancerous cells in the cervix) are recommended for most women every three years, and HPV testing (looking for high-risk HPV types associated with cancer) every five years up to age 65. Women who are over 65 should talk to their gynecologist to discuss frequency of testing. Note that some gynecologists specialize in urinary incontinence, a common problem in women over age 50.
Diabetes mellitus – This group of metabolic disorders is characterized by sustained high blood sugar levels. The disease involves problems with the way the body makes or manages insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes in older people, thus those in the age-group should be monitored. Common blood tests for type 2 diabetes are the A1C test, the plasma glucose test, and the oral glucose tolerance test. The American Diabetes Association recommends initial screening for diabetes in adults 35 and older. Without risk factors, re-screening is typically every three years. In adults 60 and up, the frequency of testing may be adjusted based on individual circumstances, risk factors and overall health status.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (for some men) – This one-time screening is recommended for men ages 65 to 75 who have smoked. The non-invasive imaging test involves an ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The test checks for signs of an aneurysm, an abnormal bulge in the blood vessel wall that can lead to life-threatening rupture. This test is selectively given to men who have not smoked. While not everyone needs this test, it can be lifesaving so it’s important for men with risk factors. AAA in women is rare, so women are not regularly screened.
Hearing test – Hearing tests are an essential part of healthcare. Per WebMD, “At least 25% of people ages 65 to 74 have disabling hearing loss, most of which is treatable.” Auditory examinations performed every one to three years are helpful in diagnosing hearing loss and diseases of the ear in older people. Patients will listen to a variety of tones at different intervals to determine their range of hearing. A pure tone test measures the quietest sound one can hear at different pitches. The whisper test can also help diagnose hearing problems. The results determine if corrective measures are required. A patient may be prescribed a hearing aid to amplify sound and improve hearing.
Bone density test – The bone density test, also called dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA or DEXA), is an important test used to diagnose osteoporosis. This bone disease occurs when bone tissue becomes thin and frail with time. Having osteoporosis can lead to bone fractures. Doctors may order a bone density test to measure the amount of calcium and minerals in a segment of bone and to check bone mass. The higher the bone mineral count, the denser the bone. Less dense bones are more likely to break. The bones that are most tested are the spine, hip, and forearm. Though osteoporosis is more common in older women, older men can also develop the condition. People over 60 should talk to their doctor about bone health, especially if they are over 65 or have had a fracture after age 50.
Skin cancer exam – Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. Healthy adults should talk to their doctors about being screened for skin cancer and regularly check their own skin for changes according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. Seeing a dermatologist yearly may be a good idea for older people as it’s challenging to distinguish between harmless age spots and harmful skin cancer. Age spots, found on older people with fair skin or those who have spent time in the sun, are generally non-cancerous and don’t develop into cancer. Unlike age spots, precancerous or cancerous growths (some associated with sun exposure) are serious and require treatment. Note that skin cancer can be life-threatening if left undiagnosed and untreated, so a yearly visit to the dermatologist for a quick skin check is likely a no-brainer.