Preventive care and health screenings in Brookfield
Preventive care helps find health problems early, often before you notice anything. Our doctors help adults and older adults know which screenings fit their age and history.
- Medicare accepted
- Dr. Ghani and Dr. Gill
- Brookfield, IL
Preventive care means screenings, vaccines and check-ups that catch problems early. For older adults, guidelines include blood pressure checks, colon cancer screening to age 75 and mammograms to age 74. They also include bone density tests for women 65 and older. At Maple Medical Center in Brookfield, IL, our doctors can help you plan yours.
Why preventive care matters
Many serious conditions start quietly. High blood pressure, diabetes and some cancers often cause no symptoms early on. Weak bones may go unnoticed until a bone breaks.
Screening tests look for these problems before you feel sick. Problems found early are often easier to treat.
This page is based on advice from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). It is an independent panel of national experts. Its advice depends on your age, sex and health history.
Dr. Ghani and Dr. Gill can help you sort out which screenings are right for you.
Screenings by age
| Screening | Who it is for | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure | All adults 18 and older | Every year from age 40, or earlier if your risk is higher |
| Cholesterol | Adults 40 to 75, as part of checking heart risk | Ask your doctor |
| Diabetes (blood sugar) | Adults 35 to 70 who are overweight | About every 3 years if results are normal |
| Colon and rectal cancer | Adults 45 to 75. Some adults 76 to 85, case by case. | Depends on the test you choose |
| Breast cancer (mammogram) | Women 40 to 74 | Every 2 years |
| Lung cancer (low-dose CT scan) | Adults 50 to 80 with a heavy smoking history who still smoke or quit within 15 years | Every year |
| Bone density (osteoporosis) | Women 65 and older, and younger women past menopause at higher risk | Ask your doctor |
| Abdominal aortic aneurysm (ultrasound) | Men 65 to 75 who have ever smoked | Once |
| Hearing and vision | Anyone who notices changes | Tell your doctor when you notice a change |
Cancer screening choices
Colon cancer screening can be done in different ways. Some are stool tests you do at home. Others, like a colonoscopy, are done by a specialist.
Lung cancer screening uses a low-dose CT scan. It is for people with a heavy smoking history, even if they quit. The USPSTF uses 20 “pack-years” as the line. One pack-year means one pack a day for one year.
After 75, colon screening becomes a personal choice. The USPSTF says to decide case by case from 76 to 85. Your health and past screening results both matter.
Our doctors offer cancer-screening guidance. They can help you weigh the pros and cons for your age and health.
Hearing and vision
Hearing and vision often change slowly. You may not notice until someone else points it out. Family members often notice first, like a TV turned up loud.
The USPSTF says there isn’t enough evidence to screen everyone without symptoms. But if you notice changes, tell your doctor. Poor hearing or vision can make daily life harder and raise the risk of falls. If you have diabetes, ask about a yearly eye exam.
Our office lists a hearing test among its services. See our in-office testing page for more.
Screenings that are just a conversation
Some screenings are simple questions, not tests. The USPSTF recommends that doctors ask adults about mood and depression.
It also recommends asking about alcohol and tobacco use. If you smoke, your doctor can talk with you about ways to quit.
These talks are a normal part of a check-up. Honest answers help your doctor give you the right care.
Questions to ask at your next check-up
Write these down and bring them with you.
- Which screenings am I due for this year?
- Are there any screenings I can stop?
- Does my family history change my plan?
- Does my past smoking change my plan?
- Should I have my bone density checked?
- Which vaccines do I need?
- What do my latest test results mean?
- Is my blood pressure where it should be?
Other parts of preventive care
Vaccines
Flu, shingles, pneumococcal, RSV and others, based on the CDC adult schedule.
Learn more ›Medicare wellness visits
A yearly planning visit that includes a written checklist of screenings and vaccines.
Learn more ›Check-ups and physicals
A regular visit to review your health and update your prevention plan.
Learn more ›Staying active
The USPSTF says exercise programs help prevent falls in adults 65 and older at higher risk.
Weight and nutrition
Weight, food and activity all affect your health. Our office offers medically supervised weight-management programs.
Learn more ›Keeping track of your screenings
It is easy to lose track of when you had your last test. Was your last colonoscopy five years ago, or ten?
Bring any records you have to your visit. That includes results from other doctors, hospitals or mobile screening events. A simple list at home with each test, date and result helps too.
If you have Medicare, the yearly wellness visit includes a written plan of the screenings and vaccines you need. Our care for older adults page explains that visit.
Screenings and your insurance
We accept many insurance plans, including Medicare, but not every plan. Call (708) 485-4050 and we’ll check yours before your visit. See our insurance page too.
Medicare covers many preventive screenings. Coverage can depend on your age, your risk and when you last had the test. Ask us before you schedule. Medicare Advantage plans may have their own rules.
Questions we hear about preventive care
Do I still need screenings after 75?
Some, yes. Others become a personal choice. The USPSTF advises a case-by-case decision on colon screening from 76 to 85. It says there isn’t enough evidence on routine mammograms at 75 and older. Talk with your doctor about what fits your health.
Does Medicare pay for preventive screenings?
Medicare Part B covers many screenings and vaccines. Some have age, risk or timing rules. Call us and we’ll help check your coverage before your test.
I quit smoking years ago. Do I need lung cancer screening?
Maybe. The USPSTF recommends a yearly low-dose CT scan for adults 50 to 80 with a 20 pack-year history. That includes people who quit within the last 15 years. After 15 years smoke-free, screening usually stops.
Do men need a bone density test?
The USPSTF says there isn’t enough evidence to recommend routine screening for men. Your doctor may still suggest one if you have risk factors or a broken bone from a minor fall.
What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
It is a bulge in the body’s main blood vessel, in the belly. It often causes no symptoms until it is large. The USPSTF recommends a one-time ultrasound for men 65 to 75 who have ever smoked.
How do I know which screenings I'm due for?
Ask at your next check-up or your yearly Medicare wellness visit. Bring records of past screenings, such as your last colonoscopy or mammogram. Your doctor can help you build a list.
Are screening tests ever wrong?
No test is perfect. A screening can sometimes flag a problem that isn’t there, or miss one. That is why some results need a follow-up test. Your doctor can explain what your results mean.
Related care
Vaccines
Vaccines protect you from illnesses that hit older adults hardest, like flu, pneumonia and shingles. Our doctors help you see which shots you are due for and where to get them.
Learn more ›Care for older adults
Health care often gets more involved after 65. There are more medicines, more doctors and more questions. Our internal medicine doctors help older adults and their families keep it all in one place.
Learn more ›Physical exams
A yearly physical is a chance to check how you are doing and catch problems early. We also do pre-employment and work physicals for adults.
Learn more ›Primary care & internal medicine
Primary care is the doctor you see first for check-ups, new problems and long-term health. At Maple Medical Center, our internal medicine doctors care for adults and older adults.
Learn more ›Ready to see a doctor who knows you?
Call our Brookfield office and our team will find a time that works for you. We accept many insurance plans, including Medicare, but not every plan. We’ll check yours before your visit.
Important information
This page is general information, not medical advice. Screening advice can change, and your own plan depends on your health and history. Talk with your doctor.
If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911.