Medical science has progressed by leaps and bounds in the last century. One of the public health innovations that have improved life expectancy significantly is the introduction of screening tests. Screening tests are a type of test that can detect the disease in a human being while it is still silent. Many cancers can show no symptoms till they have grown to a specific size. By the time a patient starts experiencing those symptoms, it is often too late or requires aggressive treatments that have their side effects. Here are some of those screening tests that you can undergo to protect yourself from fatal illnesses;
High Blood Pressure Screening
High Blood pressure (hypertension) is a disease affecting 45% of American adults. High blood pressure causes a strain on the heart leading to many diseases such as heart attack and heart failure. It is essential to check your blood pressure annually from the age of 18. Your blood pressure is a part of the doctor’s visit; therefore, it is crucial to visit your physician at least once a year to ensure that everything is on the right track.
Diabetes Screening: Blood Glucose tests
Diabetes is another common ailment affecting American adults. It is a good idea for overweight or obese people to test their blood sugar levels starting at age 40 annually. Diabetes itself is a risk factor for various heart diseases, chronic kidney diseases, and neurological conditions.
Breast Cancer Screening: Mammography
About 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer throughout their lifetime. Fortunately, through screening tests, one can identify and treat it very early in the course. Breast cancer is screened by a special X-ray called a Mammograph, recommended once every two years for women aged 50-79.
Colon Cancer Screening: Colonoscopy
Colon cancer is a disease of the large intestine. It can run in families or happen sporadically. It causes weight loss, blood in the stool, irregular bowel movements, and abdominal pain. A colonoscopy is a device with a camera inserted into the rectum and advanced up to the large intestine to examine cancerous growth in the early stage. There are different recommendations for when one should get it; ask your doctor to find out.
Lung Cancer Screening: Chest CT
Lung cancer most commonly affects smokers. It can present as a cough, blood-tinged sputum, weight loss, and difficulty breathing. It can be screened by a CT scan, which is a type of X-ray.
Annual screening for lung cancer is recommended in adults aged 55 to 80 who have a significant smoking history. Screening should be discontinued once a person has not smoked for 15 years.
This year has made us realize how important health is. With time, new types of diseases are being discovered, and hence you should keep a check on your health. Not just that but a lot of times, you might not realize that you have severe health conditions like cancer or diabetes. Considering how common these diseases are and how easily they might go unnoticed, regular health screenings help in earlier diagnosis and better treatment. The best way to help you, in this case, will be to sign up for a good health insurance policy quote. A policy quote will provide free screenings and discounted rates for checkups and appointments so that you can take better care of yourself and be covered in times of need. So don’t waste time and start looking for an affordable and good health insurance policy quote!
