What you need to know about preventive health tests and screenings at every age

Canadians are living longer. But longer doesn’t always mean better. While life expectancy has begun to rise again¹, many Canadians are spending more of those added years in poor health².

The challenge is widespread. Roughly 46 per cent of Canadian adults live with a chronic disease, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada³. Chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses, account for about two-thirds of deaths nationwide.

Here’s where prevention comes in. Proactive check-ups, screenings, and greater awareness can help catch potential issues earlier — improving both health and longevity.

Below, Dr. Steve Pomedli, a primary care physician at Cleveland Clinic Canada, which is Manulife Canada’s medical director for Group Benefits, shares what preventive tests to consider throughout your life.

Ideally, a primary care physician or nurse practitioner should be your first point of contact, says Dr. Pomedli. They can help assess your overall health, review your family history, and recommend bloodwork or other screenings based on your age, risk factors, and medical history.

If you don’t have a regular provider, there are still ways to access care. Some tests don’t require a referral⁴. For others, walk-in clinics or virtual care services can help you address immediate concerns and get started with routine testing. While follow-up care may require additional coordination, these options can be an important first step.

Preventive care might not be top of mind in young adulthood, but this can be an important time to identify early risks based on personal factors or family history, or just establish a baseline. For some individuals at higher risk for metabolic conditions, for example, Dr. Pomedli recommends periodic bloodwork to get a general picture of your health and identify any early changes over time.

This is also a good time to keep an eye on blood pressure. Cleveland Clinic⁵ suggests getting checked at least once per year starting at age 18. “Having elevated blood pressure is one of those conditions that you don’t necessarily feel,” says Dr. Pomedli. “But if it's undetected or unaddressed for years, it can have major impacts on cardiovascular, brain, and kidney health.”

Anyone with a cervix should also ensure they’re tested for human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer, every three to five years⁶ starting at age 25, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Finally, for those who are sexually active, regular testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is recommended⁷ by the Public Health Agency of Canada, even if you don’t have any symptoms. With STIs, “many don’t have initial symptoms,” says Dr. Pomedli. “But these infections can cause health problems in the short or longer term and be transmissible to partners.”

Your 40s and 50s are often busy, with growing children, career demands, or caring for elderly parents. But the habits you build during this time, including staying on top of preventive care,

can have a lasting impact on your long-term health.

Monitoring your metabolic health becomes particularly important at this stage. Dr. Pomedli recommends regular blood tests to check key indicators like cholesterol and screen for early signs of diabetes. “High cholesterol increases the risk of cardiovascular disease,” he says, “including heart attacks and strokes.”

Cancer screenings become more relevant in these decades. The Canadian Cancer Society⁸ recommends colorectal cancer screening starting at 45, particularly as rates have been rising among younger Canadians, with one in five⁹ diagnosed under the age of 55. For women, regular mammograms¹⁰ are recommended beginning in their 40s to screen for breast cancer.

Newer “multi-cancer early detections tests,” such as the Galleri test by GRAIL, might be an option for people in this age group, as well. Offered in Canada exclusively through Medcan, and available to eligible Manulife Canada life insurance customers through the Manulife Vitality program, the blood test screens for more than 50 types of cancer, including pancreatic and ovarian. “Many cancers still don’t have routine screening options,” says Penny Wilson, Manulife Canada’s Head of Behavioural Insurance. “Innovations like the Galleri test are designed to complement existing programs and can provide another layer of insight for people who want to be proactive about their health.”

At this stage, preventive care involves continuing screening for cancer and metabolic, says Dr. Pomedli. And after 60, there are additional screening considerations.

Bone density scans are often recommended¹¹ to assess for low density or osteoporosis, particularly for postmenopausal individuals, and can help guide treatments to prevent fractures. Some provincial agencies, such as Ontario Health¹², recommend a one-time abdominal ultrasound to screen for an aortic aneurysm, especially for those who smoke or have a history of cardiovascular disease.

Staying up to date on vaccinations is also important. In addition to annual flu and COVID-19 shots, other vaccines, such as shingles¹³ and RSV¹⁴, may be recommended, depending on your health history, says Dr. Pomedli.

Preventive care doesn’t stop at screenings. Daily habits — like regular exercise, balanced nutrition, reducing smoking and alcohol, and good sleep — also play a key role in long-term health. After the tests, a family doctor can help you understand important day-to-day changes that can support your health in the short-term and prevent chronic conditions in the longer term.

For those looking for additional support, programs like Manulife Vitality can encourage positive behaviours and can help track important information like biometrics, physical activity, and sleep. Through personalized goals, reminders and rewards, the program, available to Manulife’s individual insurance customers, encourages members to take proactive steps for their health such as preventive screenings and routine checkups. The program’s aim is to help people stay engaged in their long-term health goals. “Healthy habits, including tracking certain health indicators, can help extend quality of life,” explains Manulife’s Wilson.

Prioritizing your health now can not only improve how you feel in the short-term, but also help reduce the risk of more serious issues later, and make those added years healthier ones. “The sooner you have an indication of something that might be going wrong, the sooner it can be treated,” says Wilson.

_{The information in this article is not to be relied on for medical advice for specific situations. Individual circumstances may vary. Always speak to a medical professional for medical advice.}

_{Galleri is a registered trademark of GRAIL, Inc.}

_{Cleveland Clinic Canada
Manulife is proud to have Cleveland Clinic Canada on board as Medical Director for our Group Benefits operations. Cleveland Clinic Canada has a wealth of global healthcare expertise and shares our goal to help Canadians live longer, healthier, and better lives. Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit organization that has been at the forefront of modern medicine since 1921. In recent years, Cleveland Clinic has worked with progressive companies in Canada and around the world to prioritize the health and well-being of their employees, customers, and communities.}