7 Tests for Life

See descriptions of each test below.

1. Eye exam Checks for any visual problems or eye-muscle disorders and looks for signs of disease development. At high risk: People with diabetes or high blood pressure or who have a family history of glaucoma.

2. Dental exam Checks for health of teeth, gums, tongue, and mouth, and looks for oral cancer. At high risk: Smokers and tobacco chewers.

3. Cervical (Pap) smear For women only. Checks for abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix that could develop into cancer. At high risk: Women with herpes or genital warts.

4. Blood pressure Detects high blood pressure early before complications arise. At high risk: People with a family history of high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease, or stroke; people who are diabetic, overweight, or on oral contraceptives.

5. Cholesterol test Detects a high risk of coronary heart disease. At high risk: Those who have a family history of early heart disease.

6. Mammogram (breast X-ray) For women only. Detects breast cancer early, before it can be found by physical examination. At high risk: Women with a close relative who has had breast cancer.

7. Rectum and colon exam Checks for cancer of the rectum and colon. There are three tests: a) digital rectal, an examination of the rectum with a gloved finger; b) tests for hidden blood in the stool; c) flexible sigmoidoscopy, an exam of the rectum with a viewing tube. At high risk: People with an immediate family member who has (or has had) colon or rectal cancer, polyps of the colon, or long-standing extensive ulcerative colitis.