Free preventive health screenings in Lithuania

Why the programmes are limited by age

These programmes aren't open to everyone at any time — they target the specific age range where a given disease is most common and where catching it early does the most good, which is why the insurance fund only reimburses them for set age groups and at a set frequency. Your family doctor first assesses your general health, then decides which of the programme's tests to order. In the cardiovascular programme, for example, that means glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride tests plus an ECG (electrocardiogram) — these flag risk factors but don't diagnose disease on their own. A normal or negative result doesn't mean your risk is zero until the next check — it's a snapshot in time. A positive or above-range result isn't a final answer either; it's grounds for referral to a specialist for further investigation (a colonoscopy, biopsy, or urology consultation, for instance).

It's also worth knowing that if you feel unwell, you don't need to wait until you reach the programme's age threshold — your family doctor can order tests based on your individual symptoms at any age.

What each programme covers

• Cardiovascular disease programme (ages 40–60): risk-factor assessment, glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride tests, an ECG, and an individual prevention plan — the frequency is set by your family doctor
• Colorectal cancer programme (ages 50–74): a faecal occult blood test every 2 years; a positive result leads to a referral for a colonoscopy
• Cervical cancer programme (women 25–59): a cytology smear every 3 years for ages 25–34, or a high-risk HPV (human papillomavirus) test with liquid-based cytology every 5 years for ages 35–59
• Breast cancer programme (women 45–74): a mammogram every 2 years
• Prostate cancer programme (men 50–69): a PSA blood test every 2 years — since 1 September 2026 less often if your previous PSA was below 1 ng/ml; a result above 3 ng/ml leads to a referral to a urologist

How to get tested

• Contact your family doctor, who will assess your age and health status
• The doctor confirms which programme(s) you qualify for based on age and sex, and issues a referral
• Tests are carried out at a facility contracted with the health insurance fund — you pay nothing for the tests or the doctor's time
• Your family doctor communicates the results; if anything is abnormal, they refer you to a specialist for further investigation

When to see a doctor before the programme age applies

• A new lump, bump, or change in the breast, skin, or testicles
• Bleeding from the rectum, unexplained weight loss, or prolonged abdominal pain
• Chest pressure, shortness of breath, or other cardiac symptoms — don't wait for the programme age
• Any symptom that worries you, regardless of whether you fall within the programme's age group