Screenings save lives!

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Self-care starts with an ounce of prevention

It may not be as flashy as some of the other ways you pamper yourself, but routine preventive screenings are a key component of self-care that belong at the top of your to-do list. And screenings work. Whether you get peace of mind or a head start on treating any issues, the truth is: You won’t know until you go.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Van H. Dunn, recommends the following screenings to help you maintain a healthier, fuller life. Check with your primary care physician to find out which screenings are right for you.

Schedule Your Screenings for the Year

These screenings are also an excellent way to check how well you are managing an already diagnosed condition. To get screened, visit your doctor or go to an 1199SEIU health fair at your worksite.

Your Benefit Fund’s Chief Medical Officer recommends that you follow these screening guidelines.

Screening	Beginning at age	How often?
Physical Exam	All ages	At least every year
Eye Exam	Age 40+	Every 2 to 4 years
Blood Pressure Screening	Age 18+	At least every year
Cholesterol*	Age 18+ If your initial test results were abnormal, or if you’re at higher risk of heart disease	Every 5 years As directed per your doctor
Glucose/Blood Sugar Screening for Diabetes*	Age 45+	With every annual checkup
Bone Density (osteoporosis screening)	Women: age 65+, as well as younger postmenopausal women who have risk factors or who have had a fracture as an adult Men: 65+	Women: Once, then as directed per your doctor Men: Discuss with your doctor

Cancer Screenings †

Colorectal Cancer	Age 45+	Colonoscopy every 10 years or Fecal occult blood test every year or Cologuard every 3 years Ask your doctor which test is best for you.
Cervical Cancer: PAP test	Women age 21–65	Every 3 years
Cervical Cancer: HPV and PAP test	Women age 30–65	Every 5 years, or just Pap test every 3 years (If an HPV test is positive, screenings should be annual)††
Breast Cancer: Clinical Breast Exam	Women age 20+	At your regular checkup
Breast Cancer: Mammography	Women age 40+	Every year
Prostate Cancer	Men: Discuss with your doctor	Discuss with your doctor
Lung Cancer	Current/former smokers within the past 15 years, age 50 to 80, who smoked 1 pack/day for 20 years or 2 packs/day for 10 years.	Annual

* Talk to your doctor if you smoke; are overweight; have high blood pressure, diabetes or a history of gestational diabetes; have a family history of diabetes, heart disease or stroke; or are at risk for coronary artery disease. 2

† For all cancer screenings, talk to your doctor about your history and see if you need to get additional tests at an earlier age. 2

†† The HPV test looks for infections that are likely to cause cervical cancer, and can be used alone or at the same time as the Pap test.2

Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; American Cancer Society; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Women: Breast cancer support

If you have breast cancer, we’re here to support you every step of the way, from mammogram to cancer care. Your health benefits give you access to quality oncology care with many of the top cancer treatment centers in the New York metropolitan area, so you won’t have to go outside of your network for care.

We also provide coverage for:

Reconstruction of the breast on which a mastectomy was performed;
Surgery and reconstruction of the other breast to achieve a symmetrical appearance;
Prostheses; and
Treatment for physical complications associated with all stages of a mastectomy, including lymphedema.

These benefits are provided under the 1199SEIU National Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees and the 1199SEIU Greater New York Benefit Fund. Coverage is subject to benefit rules, exclusions and limitations that may apply under the Plans, as permitted by law.

Men: Knowledge is power

Here’s the good news: Early detection of prostate cancer saves lives. Although prostate cancer is the second leading type of cancer among men, increased screenings and early treatment have led to improved outcomes. Guidelines suggest that if you are a 45- to 69-year-old man, with an average risk, you should discuss testing with your doctor.

You should also talk with your doctor about your medical and family history, which can help determine whether you should begin testing at an earlier age.

Prioritizing your health by getting screened for prostate cancer can give you peace of mind, or put you on the path to early treatment, which could make all the difference. So, discuss whether testing is right for you with your doctor.