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started in their 40s, depending on their individual risk).

The third health issue to start screening for in your 50s is osteoporosis, a condition where bones become fragile and your risk of a fracture increases. Osteoporosis is painless and therefore often not discovered until too late. You can start checking your risk for this at home via an online calculator, such as this one from the Garvan Institute.

Oral health and eye checks remain important in this age group as well.

Over-65s

Several immunisations are recommended from the age of 65, including shingles and influenza, as your immunity starts to wane and your risk of serious illness increases.

Other preventative checks include those for your vision, dental health, hearing, and your risk of falls. These often involve allied health providers who can screen, monitor and treat you as needed.

Some of your other regular screening will stop in your mid70s, including for colorectal, cervical and breast cancer.

First Nations people

The above age-related recommendations are for those with standard risk factors. First Nations Australians are at higher risk of developing a range of diseases including diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and certain cancers.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may be offered more thorough screening, according to a different timeline, with some checks at earlier ages.

While annual generic “health checks” aren’t recommended, a conversation with your GP will help you work out your specific health risks and screening needs.

Prevention is better than a cure, so make sure you’re accessing evidence-based screening and preventative strategies that are right for you. ■