| Preventative screening tests are an easy and affordable way to identify hidden health risks. The earlier a disease is identified, the more effective the treatment can be – and it could be as simple as a change in lifestyle.
When it comes to regular preventative screening, there are a multitude of long-term health benefits, so most medical schemes fund these tests without you having to dip into your day-to-day medical savings account.
What tests should I be doing?
It all depends on your age and health risk profile – health tests need to be done earlier in people who have risk factors, such as a family history of a specific disease.
Young achievers: Aged 21-34
Cholesterol and blood pressure tests should be done now so that your doctor has a baseline to watch for any changes.
Women should start with regular pap smears and continue for the rest of their lives. A pap smear is a quick and easy screening test for pre-cancer or cancerous cells of the cervix, which is the opening of the uterus. The cells are taken from the cervix at the time of a pelvic examination and this is generally painless. The cells are placed on a slide for examination under the microscope to look for any abnormalities. If done on a regular basis (every three years), early cancer can be detected and removed before it spreads.
Women should also start with self-breast examination on a regular basis, preferably at the same time every month. This will assist in understanding what lumps are normal due to hormonal changes and what lumps need to be checked by a doctor. There is no particular method of self-examination that has shown to work the best, as long as the whole breast is examined, as well as the skin and the shape of the breasts. Any changes noted must be reported to your doctor immediately. More than 80% of breast lumps are normal. A general practitioner will be able to show you how to do self-examination.
Young parents: Aged 30-40
Women should continue with regular pap smears based on the recommendation of their doctor. If you previously had an increased cholesterol level, you’ll need to re-test as too much cholesterol in your blood can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Make sure you have your cholesterol and blood pressure checked at least once if you fall within this age group
If there is a family history of diabetes, you should have regular screening tests for diabetes. This is often through a simple finger prick, which reveals your sugar levels. If the test is abnormal, then the doctor may recommend more tests depending on any other symptoms you may have.
Established providers: Ages 40-50
In addition to a pap smear, women should also have their first mammogram at the age of 40.
This group also needs to start with more regular cholesterol and blood pressure checks. High blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” because most people don’t show any symptoms and don’t realise that they have high blood pressure, unless they go for a screening check. Raised blood pressure can result in a heart attack, enlarged heart, stroke, ruptured aneurysm (where a bulge forms in a vessel which may rupture causing internal bleeding) and even heart failure.
Empty nesters: 50+
At this age, men need to start having regular prostate checks, which includes a blood test to check the prostate-specific antigen (PSA), as well as a physical rectal digital examination.
If the tests are abnormal, then a biopsy needs to be done. PSA is a substance made by cells in the prostate gland. The chances of having cancer goes up as the PSA levels increase. Other factors that may affect the PSA level are age, prostatitis (infection or inflammation of prostate gland) or an enlarged prostate gland. A digital rectal examination is not as useful as a PSA level in detecting cancer, but may pick up cancer in people with a normal PSA level.
Everyone in this age group should have regular cholesterol and blood pressure checks. Women need to continue with regular pap smears and mammograms.
National Blood Donor Month
June is National Blood Donor Month and, according to the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), donating a unit of blood can save up to three lives of patients in need. Blood supplies are generally lower during the winter months due to an increase in illness such as flus and colds, which reduces the number of people who can donate. So if you are healthy, give blood this month and save three lives. |
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