PREVENTIVE HEALTHCARE FOR THE SMART ADULT
You
are ultimately responsible for managing your own health and wellbeing. Being
exposed to the stresses and unhealthy habits of the daily urban lifestyle can
only threaten your wellness and reduce the quality of your life.
Most
of the time, it is only when one is unwell that medical attention is sought.
Malaysians in general do not receive all the important preventive services they
need - that is, screening tests for early detection of disease, immunizations
and education about healthy habits. Our Wellness Doctor, Dr Fariz Sazadilla
(Assunta Hospital) shares a few screening tests or routine test for the
everyday folk to get in touch with their health and wellbeing.
1.
BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENT
(to detect hypertension)
Who
needs: All adults.
How
often: Once every 2 years for those with normal blood pressure.
Comments:
More frequent monitoring is required for those with readings over 140/90 and
have existing co-morbidities such as hypertension, diabetes and heart
conditions.
2.
THYROID DISEASE SCREENING
Who
needs: Woman 50 and over; those with high cholesterol, family history of
thyroid disease or other risk factors.
How
often: On professional advice.
Comments:
If you feel you are susceptible to getting thyroid talk to your doctor about
risk factors and getting screened.
3.
CHOLESTEROL MEASUREMENT
Who
needs: Men aged 35 and older (men should be screened from age 20-35 for those
with the risk of coronary heart disease). Woman with risk of coronary heart
disease should get screened from the of 20-45 or from 45 years old onwards if
normal otherwise.
How
often: Once every 5 years. More often if any results are abnormal or you have
other risk factors.
Comments:
Those at high risk for heart disease needing medical advice about lifestyle
changes and possibly drug therapy and diabetics.
4.
BREAST CANCER SCREENING (MAMMOGRAPHY)
Who
needs: All woman 50 to 75; those in their forties or over 75 should discuss
screening with their doctors.
How
often: Every 1 to 2 years.
Comments:
Certain women at high risk should also have both MRI and mammography starting
at 30. Clinical breast exams are important to raise awareness. Consult your
doctor should you fall under the high risk category and this includes previous
history of invasive breast cancer or benign breast disease, a "first
degree relative" with breast cancer.
5.
GLAUCOMA SCREENING
Who
needs: People at high risk, those over 65, very nearsighted or diabetic; those
with sleep apnea or family history of glaucoma.
How
often: On professional advice of eye specialist.
Comments:
Most eye specialists advice testing all adults 40 and over every 3 to 5 years.
6.
DIABETES SCREENING
(fasting blood glucose test)
Who
needs: 1. A person with diabetic symptoms such as lethargy, weight loss,
increase in urination and thirst. 2. A person with risk factors such as, above
the age of 35 years, a BMI reading above 23kg/m2, family history of diabetes
within 1st degree relatives, history of gestational diabetes mellitus and
hypertension among others. 3. Pregnant woman above 24 weeks of gestation.
How
often: Every 2 to 3 years.
Comments:
Screening can be done using random blood glucose with a glucometer as well.
7.
COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING
(fecal occult blood test, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy)
Who
needs: Everyone 50 years old and over; earlier for those at high risk. Most
should stop at age 75.
How
often: Fecal occult blood test annually plus sigmoidoscopy every 5 years or
colonscopy every 10 years for those at higher risks. The high risk group
includes those with a history of colorectal polyps/cancer/irritable bowel
syndrome, family history of colorectal cancer and lifestyle factors such as
smoking, obesity, alcoholism and a sedentary lifestyle.
Comments:
Those with abnormal results need more frequent testing. X-ray with barium enema
may also be done.
8.
BONE - density
testing
Who
needs: Woman 65 and over; younger woman at high risk for bone loss; men above
the age of 70 years.
How
often: On professional advice.
Comments:
Risk factors include being small-boned, sedentary, a heavy drinker or a smoker
or having a personal or family history of osteoporosis.
9.
STD TEST (sexually
Transmitted Disease)
Who
needs: Sexually active women 24 and younger; older women at increased risk
(such as multiple partners).
How
often: Annually or more often.
Comments:
Men who have unprotected sex should also be tested.
10.
PAP SMEAR (for early
detection of cervical cancer)
Who
needs: All women, starting at age 20 or when they are sexually active. Most can
stop after 65.
How
often: If results are normal, every 2 years until 30, then every 3 years after
30, if a woman smokes or has multiple sex partners or other risk factors, we
recommend HPV DNA with testing.
Comments:
Women can stop at age 65 if they have had normal result for 10 years, unless
they are at high risk. Women who have had their cervix removed do not need to
be tested.
11.
PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING
(prostate specific antigen or PSA)
Who
needs: Men starting at age 50.
How
often: PSA on professional advice.
Comments:
Discuss the pros and cons with your doctor should you have a family history of
cancer. Men should stop screening at age 75.
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