Annual Screening
for Men and Women

These are fundamental tests that keep us all out of danger. You can do some of these tests at home and the rest of them can be done at Dr. Schneider’s office.

UNDER 40

Men and women:

• Blood pressure. Age 18 and older, every two years if normal.
   
• Cholesterol. Start at age 20, at least every five years.
   
• Skin cancer. Self-test: Once a month, look over your skin for any changes. See your doctor once a year for a more thouough test.
   
• Diabetes. If you have any of the following risk factors for diabetes, you should talk to your doctor about including a fasting glucose test as part of your annual physical, in particular is you have on of the following risk factors:
   
• Family history of diabetes
   
• Personal history of gestational diabetes
   
• Overweight with sedentary lifestyle
   
• Alaskan Eskimo, American Indian, African American, Hispanic/Latin American, Asian American or Pacific Islander
   
• History of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), cardiovascular disease or high  fasting glucose from previous testing

Women

1. Breast self-exam once a month.  No one knows your body as well as you do, so check your breasts every month for any abnormalities. Even if you're not sure about what you find, get it checked out anyway just to be on the safe-side. Dr. Schneieder has participted in many breast surgeries and is quite competent to perform this exam skillfully.
    
2. Clinical breast exam by a physician, annually.
    
3. Pap smear (cervical cancer). Annually beginning at age 21 or as soon as sexually active. This can be done at Dr. Schneider’s office (see below).
    
4. Mammogram. Screening mammograms starting annually at age 40 done by a radiologist specializing in diagnostic tests for women.

Men

1. Testicular self-exam once a month. Check each testicle for any lumps or swelling.

OVER 40

Men and Women:

1. Continue self-tests and screenings recommended for those under 40.
    
2. A digital rectal exam with  a fecal occult blood test. (for women, this will be done at the time of the PAP test)  at our office every year.
    
3.  Cholesterol and Lipid Screening: a simple blood test in that Dr. Schneider will draw in the office. As the doctor to perform a complete blood test for liver, kidney, thyroid function, complete nutritional analysis and  heavy metals analysis.
    
4. Carotid Ultrasound for Stroke: this is done at Dr. Schneider’s office at no charge to the patient.
    
5. Echocardiogram for heary murmers. This is done at Dr. Schneider’s office at no charge to the patient.
    
6. Initial electrodardiogram (EKG) to detect earlychanges and for future reference.
    
7. Urine cytology for bladder cancer.

Women:

Cervical Cancer, Breast Cancer, Colorectal Cancer.

According to the AMA and American College of Preventive Medicine about half of primary-care physicians, such as family medicine, community  medicine, and general internists are performing PAP smears in the US, with the remainder being done by specialists in Obstetrics/Gynecology.. According to experts in preventive medicine, most  non-OB primary-care physicians performing PAP tests are well aware of published guidelines for PAP screening and perform the test to the same standards as your OB.

Dr. Schneider has performed this exam thousands of times, both in the USA and while with WHO for women all around the world. He always does a breast and rectal exam at the same time.

It is not necessary to see a gynecologist for this simple screening test!

If the PAP is reported as abnormal, then referral to a gynecologist may become necessary. Dr. Schneider expects all women to schedule their PAP tests as recommended by the NIH, whether with him or another physician. Prevention is the best cure!

Bone density scan.  If you are over 65, you should have your bone density tested or if you have any risk factors. Ask Dr. Schneider if this test is necessary for you.

Men:

Prostate cancer.

The American Cancer Society recommends a digital rectal exam and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test annually for men 50 and older. If you are African American and/or have a family history of prostate cancer, you should have a digital exam and PSA annually starting at age 40.