5 Preventive Screenings Every Adult Should Consider

The most treatable diseases are the ones caught early. Preventive health screenings use medical imaging to detect conditions before you have symptoms — when treatment is most effective and least invasive. Here are five screenings that every adult should discuss with their doctor.

1. Screening Mammogram (Women 40+)

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, but when caught early through mammography, the five-year survival rate exceeds 99 percent.

Who should be screened: - Women starting at age 40 (annually recommended by the ACR) - Earlier if you have a family history of breast cancer, BRCA mutations, or prior chest radiation

What it involves: A 3D mammogram takes about 15 minutes. Each breast is gently compressed for a few seconds while the system captures detailed images. At AMI, we use Hologic 3D tomosynthesis, which detects 20 to 65 percent more invasive cancers than standard 2D mammography.

No referral is needed for an annual screening mammogram. Call us to schedule.

2. Low-Dose CT Lung Screening (High-Risk Adults 50-80)

Lung cancer kills more people than breast, colon, and prostate cancer combined. Yet when detected at Stage 1, the five-year survival rate is over 60 percent — compared to less than 10 percent at Stage 4.

Who should be screened: - Adults ages 50 to 80 with a 20 pack-year smoking history (e.g., one pack per day for 20 years) - Current smokers or those who quit within the past 15 years - The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends annual screening for this group

What it involves: A low-dose CT scan of the chest takes about 30 seconds. You lie on a table, hold your breath briefly, and the scanner captures detailed images of your lungs. The radiation dose is very low — about the same as a mammogram.

Medicare and most insurance plans cover annual low-dose CT lung screening for eligible patients.

3. DEXA Bone Density Scan (Women 65+, Men 70+, or Earlier with Risk Factors)

Osteoporosis affects an estimated 10 million Americans, causing bones to become fragile and prone to fractures. The disease progresses silently — most people do not know they have it until a bone breaks.

Who should be screened: - Women age 65 and older - Men age 70 and older - Younger adults with risk factors: family history, low body weight, long-term steroid use, smoking, early menopause, or previous fracture

What it involves: A DEXA scan is quick, painless, and uses very low radiation. You lie on a padded table while a scanner passes over your hip and spine. The entire exam takes about 10 minutes. Our Hologic Horizon Wi scanner also measures body composition and visceral fat, giving you a complete picture of your skeletal and metabolic health.

4. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening (Men 65-75 Who Have Smoked)

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a weakened, ballooning section of the body's largest artery. If it ruptures, the mortality rate exceeds 80 percent. But when detected early, it can be monitored and treated before it becomes life-threatening.

Who should be screened: - Men ages 65 to 75 who have ever smoked (even if they quit decades ago) - The USPSTF recommends a one-time screening for this group

What it involves: A simple abdominal ultrasound takes 15 to 20 minutes. A technologist moves a small probe over your abdomen to measure the diameter of your aorta. There is no radiation, no contrast, and no pain.

Medicare covers this screening once for eligible men.

5. Cardiac CT Calcium Score (Adults 40-75 with Intermediate Risk)

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. A coronary artery calcium (CAC) score uses a quick CT scan to measure the amount of calcified plaque in your heart arteries — a direct marker of atherosclerosis.

Who should consider it: - Adults ages 40 to 75 with intermediate cardiovascular risk - People with a family history of heart disease - Those with borderline cholesterol or blood pressure who want more information to guide treatment decisions - The American Heart Association supports CAC scoring for select patients

What it involves: You lie on a table, electrodes are placed on your chest, and the CT scanner captures images of your heart in about 10 seconds. No contrast dye is needed. Your calcium score is reported as a number: 0 means no detectable plaque, while scores above 300 indicate significant buildup.

Note: Cardiac CT calcium scoring is typically not covered by insurance and is available as a self-pay exam. Check our pricing page for details.

Why Early Detection Matters

Across all five of these screenings, the pattern is the same: early detection dramatically improves outcomes and reduces treatment costs. A mammogram that catches Stage 1 breast cancer may spare you chemotherapy. A DEXA scan that reveals osteopenia (early bone loss) can be addressed with medication and lifestyle changes before a hip fracture occurs.

Preventive imaging is one of the most powerful tools in modern medicine. Talk to your doctor about which screenings are right for you based on your age, family history, and personal risk factors.

Schedule Your Screening at AMI

At Advanced Medical Imaging in Seminole, FL, we offer all five of these preventive screenings with same-day appointments, board-certified radiologists, and affordable self-pay pricing. Call (727) 398-5999 or schedule online.

Sources: - American Cancer Society — Breast Cancer Facts - USPSTF — Lung Cancer Screening - National Osteoporosis Foundation - USPSTF — AAA Screening - AHA — Coronary Calcium Scan