Routine screenings are an important part of health maintenance for patients and are usually discussed in the annual wellness visit. Preventive health care is an important part of staying healthy as you age. While some screenings are important for both men and women, there are some specific to each gender.
If you are between the ages of 40 and 75, your cholesterol should be checked regularly. It’s recommended every 5 years unless otherwise noted by your doctor. Too much cholesterol in your blood can be very dangerous. Cholesterol can build up inside your blood vessels and make it hard for blood to flow through them, causing a heart attack or a stroke.
If you are 50 to 75 years old, you should get tested regularly for colorectal cancer. How often depends on the history of colon cancer in your family. It’s important to get screened because these tests can find abnormal growths, or precancerous polyps even when you aren’t showing any symptoms. These growths and polyps can be removed before they turn cancerous.
The most common way to get hepatitis c is by coming into contact with the blood of someone who has it. You can live with the disease for years without feeling any symptoms. The only way to know if you have hepatitis c is to get a blood test. It’s important to get tested if:
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. The two most common types, basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, are highly curable but can be costly to treat. The third type, Melanoma, is the most dangerous and causes the most deaths. You should report any unusual moles that change or are irregularly shaped, as well as any changes in your skin to a Physician. A Physician will also be able to tell you if you are at an increased risk.
Women should get a wellness screening from their doctor or nurse every year. Your wellness visit focuses on your overall health and wellness. These visits include a full checkup and focus on preventative care which includes:
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women. One in eight women will develop breast cancer sometime in her life. It is recommended for women to get a mammogram annually starting at the age of 40 unless there is a family history of breast cancer. If a family history exists, you should then talk with your health care provider about when to get screened.
Women should regularly get screened for cervical cancer with a Pap test. This type of cancer can be prevented with these regular screenings. Pap Smears can find abnormal cells before they turn into cancer for early detection to increase survival rates. You should get screened:
Men should get a wellness screening from their doctor or nurse every year. Your wellness visit focuses on your overall health and wellness. These visits include a full checkup and focus on preventative care which includes:
Additional screening tests may be required for patients who have certain chronic conditions. These patients can discuss their need for additional tests with their Physicians East healthcare provider.
In addition to the lab testing available at our Winterville location, Physicians East has many other diagnostic testing services available at its main campus along with a full diagnostic reference and pathology lab and a fully staffed surgical endoscopy center, if more complex screenings are recommended. For more information about the variety of services we offer, click here.