Get Checked Out

You feel great and are looking more fabulous each day, so why should you take time out of your hectic schedule to visit your doctor or dentist? No matter how old you are, staying on top of regular checkups is crucial to your overall well-being. Prevention is the ideal purpose of checkups, but they also afford the opportunity to catch a problem while it's in the early stages and can be easily treated — allowing you to live long and feel strong!

Mark your calendars! Here's a checklist of appointments you can't afford to miss:

• Mammograms: Starting around age 40 (unless you have a family history of breast cancer and your doctor recommends you start earlier), women should undergo mammograms every one to two years. These tests are in addition to monthly self-exams, starting in your twenties.
• Pelvic exam: If you are a sexually active woman or over 21, you should schedule an annual pelvic exam and Pap smear.
• Cholesterol checks: If you're 20 and are a smoker or have a history of diabetes or heart disease, you should have your cholesterol checked regularly; otherwise you should start around age 45.
• Dental cleaning: For many, a thorough dental cleaning may be at the bottom of the appointment list. Still, even if you have a healthy smile, you should visit the dentist at least twice a year.
• Physical: Here's a general rule of thumb for having an overall physical, even when you're feeling fine: at 20, every three years; at 30, every two years; and at 40 and above, every year.