5 health screenings you shouldn’t put off this summer

Life can get so busy. When summer arrives, the warm air and late evenings feel like a subconscious pause button.

As summer loosens our schedules and relaxes our days, that extra time offers a strategic opportunity.

In fact, summer is the perfect time to schedule some appointments you may have pushed off during the rest of the year in favor of more urgent matters.

There are a few health screenings that don't take long, yet could save you money, time and pain in the long run if you pencil them in.

"Many people push off screenings for a variety of reasons, but they are truly essential steps to ensure you stay healthy as you age," said Mohammed Khan, MD, a family medicine physician seeing patients at the Endeavor Health Medical Group office in Mount Prospect.

If you fall in that category, you're not alone. A 2025 study found 90% of adult Americans have put off getting a checkup or health screening. The main reason? Logistics ¬¬- things like having trouble taking off work, finding a babysitter or transportation, schedule conflicts or simply not having enough time.

A different survey from 2024 found nearly 7 in 10 adult Americans are behind on at least one cancer screening. The main reasons given in this survey included not knowing they needed the screening, having no family history of cancer and not having any symptoms.

"Even if you don't have a family history of a disease and feel healthy, regular screenings still matter," Dr. Khan said. "Many health conditions can develop because of lifestyle factors, environmental exposures or changes in the body that happen over time. Screenings can help catch potential issues early, when they're often easier to treat."

You'd be surprised how easily most of these screenings can fit into a schedule. A mammogram takes on average 15 to 30 minutes. A blood test for a metabolic screening? Potentially even less time.

This summer, make your health a priority worthy of your schedule. If you're due for one of these frequently missed screenings, get one (or more) on your calendar.

1. Mammogram : Women should begin these annual breast cancer screenings at age 40, earlier if they are in a high-risk category. The earlier that breast cancer is detected, the better the outcome.
2. Colonoscopy : Recommended to begin at age 45. While colonoscopies are the gold standard, there are additional options for colon cancer screenings. The important thing is to get screened. Like other cancers, the earlier colon cancer is detected, the better the outcome.
3. Pap smear. The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists recommends women begin Pap smears to detect cervical cancer at age 21. Individuals at higher risk should begin testing at an earlier age. At age 30, women could add an HPV test every 5 years. Ask your doctor what they would recommend for you.
4. Prostate cancer screening: Men should discuss prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood testing with their doctor starting at around age 50 (or earlier if higher risk).
5. Metabolic screening: These screenings are typically done during an annual checkup with your primary care doctor - a blood pressure check and blood tests to measure cholesterol, a basic metabolic panel and complete blood count (CBC), which checks your levels of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. These can detect "silent indicators" for heart disease, diabetes and other diseases.
6. Skin check. See a dermatologist for a skin check once a year. Along with self-checks at home, an annual visit is a good way to find and prevent melanomas and other skin cancers.