Health Screening Tests : Who, What and When?

Screenings are tests that look for diseases before you have symptoms. Screening tests can find diseases early, when they're easier to treat. You can get some screenings in your doctor's office. Others need special equipment, so you may need to go to a different office or clinic.

Which tests you need depends on your age, your sex, your family history, and whether you have risk factors for certain diseases.

Obesity:

What test is used?

Measurement of height and weight to calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI) or measurement of the waist circumference.

BMI = Weight(kg)/ Height(m) * Height(m)

You can also measure your waist circumference by placing a measuring tape around your bare abdomen just above your hip bone. Be sure that the tape does not compress your skin and is parallel to the floor. Relax, exhale and measure.

Diabetes:

What test is used?

A fasting venous blood test where blood drawn from the vein is used to check blood sugar levels for diabetes.

Foot examinations are important for diabetics who can develop dangerous sores on their feet. Bunions and bone spurs should be checked, especially if you are on your feet a lot or are active in sports.

High Blood Pressure:

What test is used?

Blood Pressure Measurement

High Blood Cholesterol:

What test is used?

A fasting venous blood test where blood drawn from the vein is used to check for high blood cholesterol.

Colorectal Cancer:

What test is used?

Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) which checks for the presence of blood (which can't be seen by the naked eye) in the stool. A 2-day FIT sampling test can be done at home.

Cervical cancer:

What test is used?

A Pap smear is a simple procedure to check for abnormal cell changes in the cervix (cervical cancer).

Breast Cancer:

What test is used?

A mammogram (breast X-ray) is used to check for breast cancer.

Breast self-examinations should be administered at the same time each month, preferably while taking a bath. Teenage girls should begin these examinations at the start of their period.

If your test result is normal, continue to exercise regularly and have a healthy diet, and go through the test again after respective screening period for each test.

If your test result is above the acceptance level, it's time to modify your lifestyle by reviewing your diet and physical activity levels.

Source:

https://www.healthhub.sg/programmes/61/Screen_for_Life

http://www.healthy-india.org/regular-health-check-ups/tests-for-your-age-and-stage.html

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