Often, we're oblivious of our own inner workings and assume that peculiar aches and pains are a natural part of getting older. But a little body maintenance can go a long way. By the time you reach the halfway mark through life - your 50s,  in other words  - there are some health tests that you should be scheduling regularly. Keep tabs on your body and don't feel ridiculous about reporting odd symptoms to your doctor.

Blood pressure: A simple, painless check at least every two years will tell you if you've got high blood pressure. You can have it for years and not experience any symptoms, but if you don't get it under control, you are at more risk of serious problems such as heart attack and stroke.

Breast cancer: Each year, get a clinical breast exam done by your doctor to check for lumps, enlarged lymph nodes or any unusual puckering of the skin. Also have a mammogram to detect any changes that could require further investigation.

Cervical cancer: Have a smear test at least every three years to check for cancer or precancerous changes in your cervix.

Cholesterol levels: Have a blood test at least every five years to check levels of cholesterol. Too much cholesterol can cause fatty deposits that make it difficult for your blood to flow through your arteries, leaving you at risk of a stroke.

Dental health: You'll often find you need nothing more than the occasional filling replaced, but get teeth and gums checked for decay and disease at least once every year. If you grind your teeth, your dentist will determine what treatment will prevent pain in your jaw or further damage being done to your teeth.

Eye health: Get your eyes checked by an opthamologist or optometrist every two to four years to find out if you need glasses or have other vision problems, such as cataracts or glaucoma.

Weight: Get on the scales at least once a year to check that your weight hasn't crept up insidiously over time. Once overweight, you are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and other health problems - including a jeopardised self-esteem!

Osteoporosis: You can start scanning for bone density from the time you experience symptoms of menopause. Low bone density makes bones weak and brittle, prone to breaking under even mild stress.

Skin map: Get moles checked annually. If any look suspicious, your doctor will take a sample of the tissue and get it looked at under a microscope to check for cancerous cells.

Here's looking at you, kid!

Article by Rosemary Hepozden

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