Screening helps to identify disease in its very early stages when no symptoms of disease are yet present.
Medical Screening is a very important component of preventative healthcare in both younger and older adults.
Screening helps to identify disease in its very early stages when no symptoms of disease are yet present. Simple interventions and or treatment can usually prevent progression of the disease into the symptomatic stages.
If any disease or medical condition is very prevalent in your family, it is advised to make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible to identify whether any further testing or follow up applies in your case.
For the purpose of this article I focus on recommended screening for females.
I have aimed at giving a quick reference guide below. As a broad guideline: in your 20’s visit your doctor for a routine health check every 2-3 years and from 30 years old and onwards every 1-2 years.
18-29 Year Old Female Medical Screening:
| Blood Pressure (BP) | Once a year – can be checked by nurse. |
|---|---|
| BMI: calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height squared in meters. | Once a year. |
| Screen For Diabetes | When: BMI > 25 BP > 135/80 |
| Skin | Request from your doctor how regular you need a skin evaluation based on your skin type. Do a monthly self-exam and report any spots if they are asymmetrical, larger than a pencil eraser, or have an irregular border or color. |
| Cholesterol Check | At least twice during this period. |
| Dental Check | Every 1-2 years |
| Eye Check | At least once during this period |
| Pap Smear | Every 2-3 Years after 21 |
| STD Screen | If sexually active and after 21 |
| Breast Examination | Self-examination once a month. Every 2 years by a doctor. If there is a family history of breast cancer visit with your doctor as soon as possible to find out how often you should have your breasts examined and whether mammogram, breast ultrasound and or genetic testing is required. |
| Vaccines | Discuss whether you require the following Yearly Flu vaccine Tetanus vaccine – require repeat every 10 years HPV if you are younger than 26 Varicella vaccine – If you did not have it before. MMR - if not done before Against Meningitis |
| Depression | Screen yearly: self-assessment tools are available online or visit your doctor for an assessment. ► Take A 3 Minute Depression Test If you answer “several or most days in the week” to any of the following questions you require further evaluation urgently. Over the past two weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems? Little interest or pleasure in doing things Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless |
30-39 Year Old Female Medical Screening:
| Blood Pressure (BP) | Once a year – can be checked by nurse. |
|---|---|
| BMI: calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height squared in meters. | Once a year |
| Screen For Diabetes | Every 3 years AND When BMI > 25 When BP > 135/80 |
| Skin | Request from your doctor how regular you need a skin evaluation based on your skin type. Do a monthly self-exam and report any spots if they are asymmetrical, larger than a pencil eraser, or have an irregular border or colour. |
| Cholesterol check | Every 3 years |
| Dental Check | Every 1-2 years |
| Eye Check | At least twice during this period. |
| Pap Smear | Every 2-3 years |
| Thyroid | Check at 35 years old |
| Breast examination | Self-examination once a month. Every 2 years by a doctor. If there is a family history of breast cancer visit with your doctor as soon as possible to find out how often you should have your breasts examined and whether mammogram, breast ultrasound and or genetic testing is required. |
| Vaccines | Discuss whether you require the following: • Yearly Flu vaccine. • Tetanus vaccine – require repeat every 10 years. • MMR – if not done before. • Against Meningitis. |
| Depression | Screen yearly: self-assessment tools are available online or visit your doctor for an assessment. ► Take A 3 Minute Depression Test • If you answer “several or most days in the week” to any of the following questions you require further evaluation urgently. • Over the past two weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems? • Little interest or pleasure in doing things. • Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless. |
40-49 Year Old Female Medical Screening:
| Blood Pressure (BP) | Once a year by a physician. |
|---|---|
| BMI: calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height squared in meters. | Once a year. |
| Screen For Diabetes | Every 2 -3 years. |
| Skin | Yearly. Do a monthly self-exam and report any spots if they are asymmetrical, larger than a pencil eraser, or have an irregular border or colour. |
| Cholesterol Check | Every 2 years or as directed by your doctor. |
| Dental Check | Every 1-2 years |
| Eye Check | Every 2 years |
| Pap Smear | Every 2-3 Years |
| Thyroid | Check at 40 years old then every 5 years or as guided by your doctor. |
| Breast Examination. | Self-examination once a month. Every year by a doctor. If there is a family history of breast cancer visit with your doctor as soon as possible. |
| Mammogram with breast ultrasound. | Start screening at 40 years old and repeat as guided by your doctor – usually every 12-18 months. |
| Vaccines | Discuss whether you require any of the following: • Yearly Flu vaccine. • Tetanus vaccine – require to repeat every 10 years. • MMR – if not done before. • Against Meningitis. |
| Depression | Screen yearly: self-assessment tools are available online or visit your doctor for an assessment. visit: https://www.psycom.net/depression-test • If you answer “several or most days in the week” to any of the following questions you require further evaluation urgently. • Over the past two weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems? • Little interest or pleasure in doing things. • Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless. |
50 Years And Older Female Medical Screening:
| Blood Pressure (BP) | Once a year by a physician. |
|---|---|
| BMI: calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height squared in meters. | Once a year. |
| Screen For Diabetes | Every 1-2 years. |
| Skin | Yearly. Do a monthly self-exam and report any spots if they are asymmetrical, larger than a pencil eraser, or have an irregular border or colour. |
| Cholesterol Check | Every 1-2 years or as directed by your doctor. |
| Dental Check | Every 1-2 years |
| Eye Check | Every 1-2 years |
| Pap Smear | Every 2-3 Years Can stop at 65years old if previous 3 results have been normal. |
| Thyroid | Check at 50 years old and then as guided by your doctor. |
| Breast Examination. | Self-examination once a month. Every year by a doctor. If there is a family history of breast cancer visit with your doctor as soon as possible. |
| Mammogram | Every 12-18 months. May stop at 75 years old – discuss this with your doctor first. |
| Colonoscopy or other form of screening for colon cancer | Start at 50 years old and continue as guided by your doctor. |
| Bone Density Scan | Start at 65 years old. • Women younger than 65 years old should be screened if their risk for fracture is higher than a healthy 65Year old using the FRAX model. Visit: Http://www.shef.ac.uk/FRAX/ |
| Vaccines | Discuss whether you require any of the following • Yearly Flu vaccine. • Tetanus vaccine – require repeat every 10 years. • Herpes Zoster vaccine. • A vaccine against Pneumonia. |
| Depression | Screen yearly: self-assessment tools are available online or visit your doctor for an assessment. Visit: https://www.psycom.net/depression-test • If you answer “several or most days in the week” to any of the following questions you require further evaluation urgently. • Over the past two weeks, how often have you been bothered by any of the following problems? • Little interest or pleasure in doing things. • Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless. |
