Preventive Screening: Questions to Bring to Your Appointment

Preventive screening is one of the ways health problems can be found early, often before there are symptoms. Knowing which screenings are recommended for you depends on your age, history and family background, so the most useful step is a conversation with your health care provider.

Before your appointment, it can help to write down your questions. You might ask which screenings are recommended for someone like you, how often they should happen, what the results will tell you and what happens next if something needs a closer look.

Bring a list of your current medications and any family health history you know. If something is unclear, it is always appropriate to ask your provider to explain it again in plain language.