Preventative Health Screenings

We are fortunate to live in today’s world where we are able to use an array of health screenings that will allow us the opportunity to live healthier and (hopefully) longer lives. Tomorrow is the annual Health Fair that our local hospital offers every year. Now is as good a time as any to re-discuss the issue of keeping up with preventative health care and using screening opportunities to your advantage. Here’s a basic guideline that’s easy to follow for both women and men. Hopefully you will put these on your yearly calendar and make sure to keep in touch with your favorite physician regarding all issues of your health!



Health Checklist for Women over 40.

Breast Cancer Screening: Mammogram, age 40 and then completed annually. Breast Exams, age 20 and then completed monthly by you and completed every 3 years until 40 by a physician and annually after 40.

Cervical Cancer Screening: Pap smear and pelvic exam, once a woman is sexually active or at age 18. Then completed annually or every 3 years after 3 normal pap smears. Pap Smear plus HPV DNA test and pelvic exam, age 30 and then every 3 years.

Colorectal Cancer Screening: Colonoscopy, age 50. Every 10 years, more frequently if there is a family history or history of colon polyps. Fecal Occult blood test (FOBT), age 50 and then annually. Flexible sigmoidoscopy, age 50, and then every 5 years. Air-contrast barium enema, age 50 and then every 5 years. (Flexible sigmoidoscopy, air-contrast barium enema and colonoscopy are interchangeable, your doctor will pick which screening test is best for you.)

Skin Cancer Screening: Total Body Skin Examination, age 50 or earlier for people with a family history or with excessive sun exposure. Then it should be done annually.

Heart Disease Screening: Blood Cholesterol Test, age 20 and then every 5 years or at your doctor’s discretion. Blood Pressure Check, age 18 and then every 2 years. Fasting Plasma Glucose, age 45 and then every 3 years or at your doctor’s discretion.

Eye Disease Screening: Glacoma Test, age 60 for normal healthy adults. At age 40 for those with risk factors and then done annually.

Bone Health Screening: Bone mineral density test, around age 65 or around the age of menopause or at your doctor’s discretion.

Thyroid Health Screening: Thyriod hormone test, age 35 and then every 5 years.

Vaccines/Immunizations: Tetanus booster, every 10 years. Pneumonia Vaccine, age 20; by the age of 65 and earlier for people with risk factors. Influenza vaccine, age 50 or earlier and then received annually.



Health Checklist for Men over 40

Prostate Cancer Screening: Digital Rectal exam, age 50, age 40-45 for those at higher risk and then done annually. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) Blood Test, age 50, age 40-45 for those at higher risk.

Colorectal Cancer Screening: Colonoscopy, age 50. Every 10 years, more frequently if there is a family history or history of colon polyps. Fecal Occult blood test (FOBT), age 50 and then annually. Flexible sigmoidoscopy, age 50, and then every 5 years. Air-contrast barium enema, age 50 and then every 5 years. (Flexible sigmoidoscopy, air-contrast barium enema and colonoscopy are interchangeable, your doctor will pick which screening test is best for you.)

Skin Cancer Screening: Total Body Skin Examination, age 50 or earlier for people with a family history or with excessive sun exposure, then should be done annually.

Heart Disease Screening: Blood Cholesterol Test, age 20 and then every 5 years or at your doctor’s discretion. Blood Pressure Check, age 18 and then every 2 years. Fasting Plasma Glucose, age 45 and then every 3 years or at your doctor’s discretion.

Eye Disease Screening: Glacoma Test, age 60 for normal healthy adults. At age 40 for those with risk factors and then done annually.

Vaccines/Immunizations: Tetanus booster, every 10 years. Pneumonia Vaccine, age 20; by the age of 65 and earlier for people with risk factors. Influenza vaccine, age 50 or earlier and then received annually.



Many of these screenings are not available at a weekend Health Fair, but there is sure to be a lot of opportunity for receiving some baseline health information, so take advantage of this great opportunity

 

Deborah Holmes

March 31, 2009