Everybody knows that prevention is better than cure, but not everybody puts this into practice. There are many reasons for this. One is that they cannot afford annual health checks. It’s not a secret that healthcare is not affordable. Not everybody has access to quality health services. Another reason some people have is that they are too busy to set aside time for these health checks. And then, some just don’t fully understand why they should get annual health screenings.
This guide will help you understand why you must squeeze in some time for these health checks, especially if your reason for not getting them are the last two. On top of that, if you are a woman over 18, you should keep reading.
Early Diagnosis Improves the Effectiveness of Treatments
The most important reason for getting annual health checks is to catch possible diseases. The older you get, the more chances there are of you getting sick.
For women, especially those who have plans to get pregnant, reproductive planning is one of the reasons why you should get checked annually. Pregnancy can get complicated, especially at certain ages and with certain conditions. The doctor will be able to assess whether you are fit to proceed with your plan or not. If you want to learn more about pregnancy, women’s health, and babies, websites like mumsnbumps.com.sg are a great resource.
Once a disease is detected, early diagnosis means you have better chances for treatment. There are so many cases of severe illnesses that are treatable if detected earlier.
It Costs Less to Treat Diseases in the Early Stages
The overall cost of treating a disease in its early stages is comparably lower than when it is detected much later. In its advanced stages, a disease requires more complicated treatments, which are always expensive.
Health Checks Give You Peace of Mind
To detect sickness is not the only reason you should get annual health checks. One of the ways to stay in top shape is to prevent getting sick. The results of your blood work could tell you that you should cut down on your alcohol intake or that you should consume less salt. Knowing that your organs are functioning and that you are healthy gives you peace of mind. If you usually panic when you feel something odd going on in your body, that’s a sign you should have health screenings done.
Health Checks You Should Get
Many people are prone to different illnesses. However, the best way to address and treat these illnesses is getting checked by your physician at least once a year. These are a few medical examinations you need to get so you know what’s going on with your health:
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Cervical Cancer Screening
As a woman as early as 21 years old, you should regularly get pap smears every 3 years until you are 65 years old. This is the best way to detect cervical cancer. The disease used to be the leading cause of death among women. But ever since more and more women started getting pap tests, the number of death related to cervical cancer has significantly reduced.
During a pap smear, your doctor will get a cell sample from your cervix. Your physician will send this sample for tests for the presence of cancer. Another way to detect cervical cancer is through an HPV or human papillomavirus test. You can have the test together with the pap smear.
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Breast Cancer Screening
When you get a mammogram, they take an X-ray image of your breasts. This is to detect abnormal growths that might be a sign of breast cancer. The frequency of getting a mammogram depends on your age and medical history. Mammograms are not perfect. In fact, there have been cases of false positives, but as of the moment, they are the best tools for detecting breast cancer.
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that you get it every two years if you are 50 years old and above. On the other hand, the American Cancer Society suggests that women should take an annual exam if they are 45 years old and above. You can talk to your doctor to plan the best screening schedule for you.
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Diabetes Screening
Blood glucose testing is part of routine annual checks. To screen for type 2 diabetes, your doctor can also ask you to do urine and other blood tests. Obese women between 40 and 70 are at risk of having diabetes. It is essential to detect diabetes because it is linked to heart diseases. It can also lead to eating disorders and depression.
These are just some out of the many tests that you should regularly get. Make it a habit to watch out for your health. If you feel something odd, don’t disregard it. Pain and discomfort are the body’s way of telling you something is not right.
