Screening tests may not have glamour, but their significance cannot be emphasized enough. These medical exams check for signs of diseases or conditions before you exhibit any symptoms, enabling early detection and more effective treatment or prevention. For instance, a mammogram can detect breast cancer, a colonoscopy can find polyps that could lead to colon cancer, and a blood pressure test can reveal hypertension.
In this blog post, we will delve into the realm of screening tests and explore their crucial role in helping us detect symptoms and diseases at the right time. Let’s examine some types of screening tests, their benefits, and why they are especially important for individuals over 40 years old.
What is a Screening Test?
Screening tests are medical exams that can save lives, prevent complications, and improve your quality of life. They often involve simple procedures such as blood tests, urine tests, mammograms, colonoscopies, or Pap smears.
These tests can check for signs of conditions such as:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Breast cancer
- Colon cancer
Some tests are recommended for everyone at certain ages or intervals, while others are based on your personal risk factors and family history. Let’s introduce you to some of the most important screening tests you should include in your regular check-ups.
High Cholesterol Screening
High cholesterol can often go unnoticed, increasing the risk of heart disease and related complications. Regular lab tests, such as lipid profiles, can detect high cholesterol. The NHS explains there are two ways to have a cholesterol test: taking the blood from your arm or pricking your finger.
By identifying high cholesterol early through these screenings, patients can take proactive measures to improve their heart health, such as dietary changes or medication if necessary.
Learn more about Cholesterol screening tests.
Diabetes Screening
Diabetes is a prevalent and potentially dangerous condition that affects millions of people worldwide. The World Health Organization reports that about 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, and 1.5 million deaths are directly attributed to diabetes each year.
There are two ways to get tested for Diabetes: a fasting plasma glucose test and an oral glucose tolerance test. It’s crucial to get a diabetes screening test because diabetes may not show any symptoms. Type 1 diabetes often develops suddenly, while type 2 and gestational diabetes are often diagnosed only through screening.
Read more about How is Diabetes Screening Performed.
Liver Function Testing
The liver is a remarkable organ that performs numerous vital functions, including filtering toxins and producing crucial proteins. Globally, liver diseases cause two million deaths annually, and 1 out of every 25 deaths, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Liver function tests, also known as LFTs, are blood tests used to examine liver function and help identify liver damage or conditions like hepatitis and cirrhosis.
Medbury Medical explains jaundice, which yellows your skin and eyes, are one of the most common reasons to test liver function and people with fatigue or dark urine who have no explanation for their symptoms may also benefit from a liver dysfunction test.
Kidney Function Testing
The kidneys act as the body’s filtration system, removing waste and excess fluid. Kidney tests or renal function testing help you check the overall function of these organs and prevent conditions like chronic kidney disease (CKD).
According to CDC, chronic kidney disease occurs when the kidneys become damaged over time and are unable to filter blood properly. Diagnosing and treating kidney disease early may prevent it from progressing more severely and causing other health problems like heart disease.
Your kidney’s health can be tested with urine tests, blood tests, imaging, or a kidney biopsy.
Check more Kidney screening tests.
Full Blood Picture
A full blood picture, or complete blood count (CBC), provides a comprehensive overview of various blood components. By monitoring the levels of red and white blood cells, haemoglobin, and platelets, you’ll be able to detect and potentially treat underlying issues.
This is one of the most common screening tests, and the procedure can’t be any easier. Your doctor or nurse will use a needle to take a sample of your blood from your hand or elbow crook. These tests can help identify various conditions, such as anaemia, infections, leukaemia, kidney disease, and other blood-related conditions.
Why should you get Screening tests?
As we age, our bodies undergo various changes, making the importance of screening tests even more significant for individuals over 40 years old. Getting screened regularly offers several benefits such as:
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- Disease Prevention: detecting conditions like high cholesterol or diabetes enables individuals to take proactive measures, such as lifestyle changes or medication, to minimize the risk of serious complications.
- Monitoring existing conditions: for individuals with known health conditions, screening tests provide a means of monitoring their progress and effectively managing their health.
- Personalized health plans: screening test results act as a valuable tool for healthcare providers in developing personalized health treatments.
In conclusion, health screenings play a vital role in our overall well-being. Particularly for men and women over 40 years old, regular lab tests are essential for taking control of our health and ensuring a healthier future. So, let’s prioritize our well-being by embracing the power of these tests.
At DaVinci Health we offer a wide range of screening tests and, in addition, a follow-up plan that includes reminders to come in for testing, interpretation of results, and guidance from our medical staff.
It is always the right time to start taking care of your health, book an appointment, get tested, and we’ll take care of the rest!
Book your test today.
