Key Takeaways
- Several clinically recommended screenings are often not brought up during routine visits unless patients ask.
- Screenings like hepatitis C testing, lung cancer CT scans, and abdominal aortic aneurysm checks have specific eligibility criteria that many adults meet without knowing.
- Understanding which screenings apply to you—by age, risk factor, or history—puts you in control of your preventive care.
- Early detection through these underutilized tests can significantly change treatment options and outcomes.
- Bringing a personal health history and asking direct questions at appointments helps ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
The Gaps in a Standard Checkup
A typical annual physical covers a lot of ground — blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and perhaps a conversation about lifestyle habits. But the visit is finite, and physicians are managing complex time constraints. That means certain clinically endorsed screenings — ones with real evidence behind them — may simply never come up unless you raise them first.
This isn't a failure of care; it's a reality of modern primary care delivery. Understanding which screenings have established guidelines, who qualifies, and what they involve puts you in a better position to advocate for your own health. As our evidence-based look at early detection explains, catching conditions before symptoms appear can meaningfully change what treatment is available and how well it works.
Below are seven screenings that adults commonly miss — not because they aren't important, but because they require a proactive ask.
Hepatitis C Antibody Test
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening for all adults ages 18 to 79. Despite that broad guidance, many people — especially those born between 1945 and 1965 — have never been tested. Hepatitis C is a blood-borne infection that can silently damage the liver for decades before symptoms appear. A simple blood test can identify it, and effective antiviral treatments now exist that can clear the infection in most people. If you've never been tested and fall within the recommended age range, this is worth raising explicitly at your next visit.
Hepatitis C can silently damage the liver for decades — yet a single blood test can detect it.
Lung Cancer Low-Dose CT Scan
Lung cancer screening with a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan is recommended by the USPSTF for adults ages 50 to 80 who have a significant smoking history — defined as 20 pack-years or more — and who currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years. This screening is notably underutilized even among eligible individuals. Unlike a chest X-ray, LDCT can detect small nodules early, when treatment is most likely to be effective. If you or someone you know fits these criteria, the conversation with a provider is worth initiating. Eligibility is specific, so a direct discussion is essential.
Low-dose CT lung screening is recommended for eligible smokers but remains one of the most underused tests available.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Ultrasound
Men ages 65 to 75 who have ever smoked are recommended by the USPSTF to have a one-time abdominal ultrasound to screen for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) — a potentially life-threatening ballooning of the main artery in the abdomen. Because AAAs typically cause no symptoms, they can rupture without warning. The screening is non-invasive, takes only minutes, and is a one-time recommendation for most eligible men. This is a classic example of a high-value test that is rarely discussed unless the patient brings it up. Our men's screening guide by decade covers this and related checkpoints in detail.
A one-time abdominal ultrasound can detect a silent, potentially life-threatening condition in eligible older men.
Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Screening
The USPSTF recommends blood glucose screening for adults ages 35 to 70 who are overweight or have obesity. Prediabetes — a state of elevated blood sugar that precedes type 2 diabetes — affects tens of millions of Americans and causes no noticeable symptoms in most people. A fasting plasma glucose test or HbA1c blood test can identify it. Early identification creates an opportunity to make lifestyle changes that may delay or prevent the progression to type 2 diabetes. For a detailed explanation of the tests involved and who qualifies, see our diabetes screening overview.
Prediabetes has no symptoms, but early blood glucose testing can reveal it before it becomes type 2 diabetes.
Vision and Glaucoma Checks
While vision exams aren't universally mandated by a single federal guideline in the same way, professional bodies including the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommend comprehensive eye exams for adults — with increasing frequency after age 40. Glaucoma, in particular, develops gradually and without pain, and significant vision loss can occur before it's noticed. Adults with elevated risk factors — including a family history of glaucoma, high intraocular pressure, or diabetes — should discuss the timing and frequency of eye exams directly with their provider or an eye care professional. This screening is often omitted from primary care conversations entirely.
Glaucoma causes no pain and develops silently — routine eye exams are the only way to catch it early.
Skin Cancer Full-Body Exam
No major federal task force currently issues a universal grade A or B recommendation for routine skin cancer screening in the general population, but dermatologists and some guidelines support periodic full-body skin exams for individuals with elevated risk — including those with a personal or family history of melanoma, numerous moles, or a history of significant sun exposure. Melanoma is highly treatable when caught at an early stage. Our guide to full-body skin exams explains what dermatologists evaluate and who stands to benefit most from regular checks.
People with a history of heavy sun exposure or numerous moles may benefit from periodic full-body skin exams.
Anxiety Screening in Primary Care
The USPSTF now recommends screening for anxiety disorders in adults under 65, including pregnant and postpartum individuals. Despite this, anxiety screening remains inconsistently integrated into routine primary care visits. Standard validated questionnaires — such as the GAD-7 — can be administered quickly and help identify people who may benefit from further evaluation or support. Mental health screenings are preventive care, not a sign of weakness or crisis, and asking your provider about them is entirely appropriate. Addressing anxiety early can improve quality of life and reduce downstream health consequences.
Anxiety screening is now a USPSTF-recommended preventive service that many routine visits still overlook.
Making the Most of Your Next Appointment
The most effective step you can take is to arrive at your next appointment with a clear picture of your personal risk factors, family history, and age-related eligibility windows. Write down the screenings you want to discuss and ask your provider directly whether each one applies to you.
Prepare a Short Health History Summary
Before your appointment, jot down your age, smoking history, family history of major conditions, and any prior screenings you've had. This information helps your provider quickly assess which screenings apply to you and ensures no eligibility window is overlooked. Even a few notes on your phone can make the conversation significantly more productive.
Keep in mind that insurance coverage for preventive screenings under the Affordable Care Act applies to tests that carry a grade A or B recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force — which includes most of the screenings listed here. Still, coverage details vary by plan, so confirming with your insurer beforehand avoids surprises.
For a broader view of what's recommended at different points in your life, our life-stage screening guide offers a detailed breakdown from young adulthood through older age. And if you've been putting off screenings for practical or emotional reasons, common barriers and why they backfire may offer some useful perspective.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about which screenings are appropriate for your individual health situation.