Health
Midlife tune-up: the health checks you can’t afford to skip
A midlife tune-up is your secret weapon for staying active, sharp and living life on your terms. These simple health checks can catch problems early and help you breathe easier (quite literally in some cases).
By Bron Maxabella
If our 20s were about pushing limits and our 30s and 40s were spent juggling everyone else’s needs, our 50s and 60s are prime time to give the ol’ body a proper tune-up. A sensible look under the bonnet to make sure everything is humming along as it should be.
The truth is most of us want to walk, dance, cook, garden, travel and live exactly the way we do now for as long as possible. The other truth is, by our 50s most of us will already be feeling compromised in some way. Maybe it’s a dicky knee that aches for no good reason? Maybe it’s extra weight you just can’t shift? Or maybe you’re already taking medication for a variety of ailments that seemed to descend out of nowhere while you were blowing out 50 candles on your birthday cake?
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but health issues in midlife are like spiders. For every one you can see, there are 187 lurking in the shadows. Sorry if you can’t sleep tonight after that reference. But rest assured, we can bring this situation into the light. Commit to making the rounds on these health checks and you can set about getting rid of all the spiders. Not just the ones you know about…
A quick word on health insurance
A lot of these health checks are covered by Medicare and some are partly covered by health insurance, but only if you are on the right extras or hospital policy. If you are not sure whether your cover pays for things like physiotherapy, dental, exercise physiology, bone scans or mental health, it is worth checking. Use Compare the Market to see whether you are on the best health cover plan for your needs.
The health checks you need in your 50s and 60s
Heart health: working for the long haul
Our heart quietly works away for decades until one day it doesn’t, and that is exactly why regular heart checks matter. A heart health check takes around twenty minutes with your GP. They look at your blood pressure, cholesterol, family history and lifestyle, then give you a snapshot of your risk over the next five years. It’s knowledge that can help you avoid heart attack, stroke or nasty surprises down the track.
More info here: The quick heart health check that could extend your life
Everyone in midlife should be having this check every two years. If you have a history of high cholesterol, blood pressure issues or early heart disease in the family, your GP can advise you on how regularly you need to see them.
Blood pressure and cholesterol: the silent creepers
High blood pressure and high LDL cholesterol rarely tap you on the shoulder until they cause real trouble. That’s why the regular checks matter. You can get your blood pressure done at the GP or even at the pharmacy and cholesterol is an uncomplicated blood test.
While these checks aren’t glamorous, they can be genuinely life saving. Every two years is ideal for most people, more often if you have a family history of heart issues.
Diabetes check: the one too many people skip
Type 2 diabetes is common, creeping and often easy to miss for years. A simple risk questionnaire (AUSDRISK) and a quick blood sugar test will help you know where you stand. Catching your risk early means you can prevent long-term damage to your eyes, kidneys, heart and nerves.
Your GP can guide you on how often to test, usually every one to three years.
Bone density: strong foundation for life
If you are in your 50s or 60s, especially if you are post-menopause, this is the time to check your bones. Bone density drops naturally with age and women in particular can lose a big chunk of it in the first few years after menopause. A DEXA scan tells you exactly where you stand and whether you need lifestyle tweaks or treatment to prevent fractures later on.
Some people qualify for Medicare cover, some don’t, so ask before you book.
Skin checks: because Australia
The Australian sun is unbeatable for holidays and absolutely ruthless on our skin. A full skin check once a year is one of the smartest things you can do at midlife. Your doctor scans from head to toe looking for changes, moles, unusual patches or anything suspicious. They may refer you to a specialist skin cancer clinic or dermatologist if they think you need extra attention.
If you are fair-skinned, moley or spent your youth lying on a banana lounge covered in Reef oil (you can smell it now, am I right?), you should be checked every six to twelve months. Early detection makes a massive difference.
Eye checks: keep looking sharp
Cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma all start showing up more regularly as we get older. Many of these conditions need to be treated early to preserve your sight. Regular eye tests every two to three years are a small investment for a lifetime of clear vision.
Medicare covers one eye exam every three years if you’re under 65 and one exam every year for those 65 and over. More frequent exams may be covered if they are medically necessary due to a specific eye condition, such as diabetes, or if your healthcare provider recommends it.
Cancer screenings: no procrastinating
Breast screening
Women over 40 can get a free mammogram every two years through BreastScreen. Yes, it squishes. No, it doesn’t take long. Yes, it’s worth it. Early detection can literally save your life, so make the appointment and get it done.
Read Nicole’s story: Private health insurance literally saved my life after breast cancer
Bowel screening
If you are 50 to 74, the bowel screening kit arrives automatically in the mail every two years. Yep, the poo kit – aka as the Australian Governments way of saying ‘happy birthday, you’ve officially reached middle age’. If you are 45 to 49 you can request one from your GP. It’s a rather awkward, er, collection procedure, but it’s also quick and easy and the survival rate is excellent when bowel cancer is caught early.
Cervical screening
If you are under 74 and have ever been sexually active, your HPV cervical screening test is due every five years. You can now self-collect if you prefer – your GP or nurse will give you a small swab, show you how to use it and point you to a private space.
Prostate checks
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in Australian men (skin cancer is #1, see above). About 1 in 5 men will get it in their lifetime. There’s no national screening program, but if you have symptoms or a family history of prostate cancer, talk to your GP about PSA tests or a digital rectal examination.
Testicular checks
Men should be doing these themselves regularly. The Cancer Council advises you to get into the habit of feeling and looking at your testicles in a way that’s comfortable for you. They suggest checking after a shower or bath, when your testicles are warm and relaxed. Here’s a list of the warning signs you should be looking out for (these don’t necessarily mean you have testicular cancer, but they do mean you should go see your GP):
- a hard lump on the front or side of the testicle
- a change in the size or shape of the testicle
- pain or discomfort in the testicle, scrotum or lower abdomen
- an unusual difference between the testicles
- a heavy or dragging feeling in the scrotum
Hearing and dental: the underrated duo
Hearing checks are worth doing. If your partner is constantly yelling “turn it down” or you find conversations in noisy places exhausting, book a hearing test.
More on this: 9 signs you need a hearing test (at any age)
And yes, dentists are expensive but gum disease is linked to heart disease and inflammation throughout the body. A clean and check every six to 12 months can save you a lot of pain later.
Private health cover can provide "free" or "no gap" dental care, particularly for preventative treatments like check-ups and cleans, but it’s dependent on your specific policy and provider.
If you think your health cover needs its own check up, you can compare multiple health cover options via Compare the Market.
Mental health check: caring for your whole self
Nearly half of all Australians will experience a mental health condition at some point. Perimenopause, career change, retirement, ageing parents, grown children and shifting identity can all put pressure on you. As can loneliness and grief.
A mental health check is a chat with your GP and a questionnaire, which may be followed by a plan that gives you Medicare-subsidised sessions with a psychologist if you need it.
Movement check: staying mobile
This is one of the most empowering midlife checks you can do. An exercise physiologist looks at your mobility, strength, balance and any niggles that have been following you around. They create a personalised plan to help you build muscle, protect your joints and stay mobile long term.
Read this too: Why mobility training needs to be a non-negotiable
You may be able to claim part of your sessions on your health insurance policy.
Vaccinations: quick, easy and protective
Flu shots, Covid boosters, shingles vaccines, pneumococcal and whooping cough boosters all matter more as we get older. Your GP can confirm what you need and when.
An easy way to stay on top of your health checks
If you’re anything like me, you’ll remember you need to book a health check right up until the moment you get busy, distracted or lured away by something far more fun. Life is like that.
The simplest fix is to let your calendar do the remembering for you.
Set up each health check as a recurring appointment in your Gmail, Outlook or phone calendar. Add reminders a month or so beforehand so you have time to book in your appointment. Then label each check clearly so you’ll know exactly what it’s for. You could also group them all into a “Health tune-up” separate calendar if you want to feel extra organised.
It sounds small, but turning screening into a routine rather than a guesswork game means we’ll be more likely to stay on track and actually get these vital health checks regularly. And if you take one thing away after reading this article, make it that.
The information on this page is general information and should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Do not use the information found on this page as a substitute for professional health care advice. Any information you find on this page or on external sites which are linked to on this page should be verified with your professional health care provider.
Feature image: iStock/jacoblund
Tell us in the comments below: What do you reckon the worst health check is to get?
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