Why Making a Regular Appointment With Your Doctor Makes a Difference

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / October 29, 2025 / Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

When it comes to your health, preventive care is a great way to take control of your journey and stay on track. Taking the time to visit the doctor - and reminding loved ones to do the same - might mean a little extra effort, but it also means reassurance. And, it could mean saving a life.

To help you remember to schedule preventive care appointments, think about doing it on the same memorable day every year - a birthday, an anniversary, Groundhog Day. Tying these appointments to a special day will serve as an extra reminder. Here are a few important appointments to make every year and recommended ages to start visiting the doctor.

Wellness exams - Yearly wellness exams play an important part in staying healthy. While an individual's health should provide a guidepost for annual checkups, it's recommended to start scheduling these around age 30 - no later than early 40s.¹

Colonoscopies - People with low risk for colon cancer should start scheduling annual colonoscopies after blowing out the candles on their 45^th birthday cake.² For anyone with a family history of colorectal cancer, it's advisable to start earlier. Talk to a doctor to decide when to start getting these exams.

Skin cancer checks - Think about planning annual trips to the dermatologist starting around age 18.³ Keep risk factors in mind when deciding what age to start annual skin cancer screenings. Medical history, on a personal level and among family members, is important to consider, along with the consequences of frequent sun exposure.

Gynecological exams - While it's recommended to visit the gynecologist for the first time between 13 and 15 years old,⁴ these appointments don't need to be annual until later. By age 21,⁵ begin scheduling yearly gynecological exams for pap smears, pelvic exams and other important tests.

Breast exams - People at average risk for breast cancer should start adding breast exams to their gynecological checkups at age 40.⁶ Don't forget to perform self-exams once a month,⁷ which can detect any changes before visiting a doctor - but don't think of a self-exam as a substitute for your annual exams. Other important tests include mammograms, which are a crucial tool in early detection of changes in the breast tissue, including cancer.