This is what you may have in common with Shaq

You may be like the basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal if you’ve gained some weight over the course of the pandemic.

Yes, even Superman found out he needed to change his diet and exercise habits when he had a physical.

If you’re like Shaq and around 50, you may receive similar guidance when you are in for your annual physical. You may also be advised to be screened for a variety of conditions that you hadn’t given much thought to.

Family practitioner Dr. Douglas Dorman of Advocate Medical Group in Yorkville, Illinois says that he might suggest these tests for people around the age of 50:

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Colon cancer
• Breast cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Exercise assessment
• Weight and body mass index assessment

Dr. Dorman goes on to say that he doesn’t recommend all these tests for every person. The best way to know what test is right for you is to talk to your doctor.

“It’s important to offer a specific screening and preventive plan based on the individual,” says Dr. Dorman. He bases those plans on established medical recommendations as well as things like your risk factors, family history, age, gender and even your feelings about each test.

“I prefer using shared decision making with the people I see,” he says. Whether it’s screening for prostate cancer or colon cancer, the person’s level of concern about the disease is a valid factor to consider when making recommendations about screening. If a person is highly resistant to one kind of test, he sometimes recommends another kind of screening.

“I encourage people to get a yearly preventive health visit,” says Dr. Dorman. “Because one of our best protections is early detection and early treatment.” When he sees people once a year, early detection and treatment becomes more likely.

Testing is one of the most important parts of your yearly physical. Having regular physicals also helps you maintain a trusting relationship with your health care provider. If any of those tests ever uncover something new to worry about, having a primary care provider that you trust will be something you are glad to have.

Want to learn more about your risk for diabetes? Take a free online quiz here. Or if you’re trying to watch your weight, take a free online quiz to learn more about your healthy weight range here.