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IN TODAY’S WHIRLWIND world, it’s
easy to look at schedules for home and
work and think that something just has
to give.
And maybe one of the things you are
considering giving up is the routine
screening test your doctor is always
recommending.
Before you put those tests on hold, however,
consider this: Getting screened for serious
diseases could literally save your life.
Screening often helps us to find diseases
early when treatment is likely to work best.
Beyond that, screenings can alert us to warning
signs that can sometimes help us prevent or
detect other illnesses as well.
Here are four common conditions for which
screening is vital for both men and women. All
of them are well worth your time.
1. High blood pressure.
Stroke. Heart
attack. Kidney problems. Those are just some
of the potentially deadly diseases triggered
by high blood pressure. You should have
your blood pressure checked by a medical
professional at least once every two years.
2. Diabetes.
Health problems associated
with diabetes include heart disease, stroke,
blindness and the loss of limbs. You should be
screened for diabetes if your blood pressure
is higher than 135/80 mm Hg or you take
medication for high blood pressure. A blood
test can detect if your blood sugar level is too
high.
3. High cholesterol.
The trouble with
having too much cholesterol in your blood is
that it can clog blood vessels and lead to a heart
attack or stroke.
You should have a fasting cholesterol test
every five years starting at age 20. You may
need to be tested more often if:
■■
Your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dL of blood
or higher.
■■
Your HDL (good) cholesterol is less than
40 mg/dL.
■■
You are a man over age 45 or a woman
over 50.
■■
You have other risk factors for heart disease
and stroke, such as high blood pressure.
4. Colorectal cancer.
Screening for
colorectal cancer can find abnormal growths
in the colon before they become cancerous,
and it can detect signs of the disease before
they cause symptoms. You should get tested for
colorectal cancer once you reach age 50. Your
doctor can tell you which screening test for
this disease is best for you.
For women,
for men
Many screening tests are gender-
neutral—meaning they’re
recommended for both men and
women. However, some tests are
specific to the sexes.
For women, those include tests
that can detect:
■■
Breast cancer, cervical cancer and
osteoporosis.
Most women should
have Pap tests starting at age 21,
regular mammograms starting at age
40 and a bone density test at age 65.
For men, those include tests that
can detect:
■■
Prostate cancer and abdominal
aortic aneurysm.
Starting at age 50,
most men should talk to their doctor
about the pros and cons of screening
for prostate cancer. Men between
ages 65 and 75 who have ever
smoked should be screened for an
abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; American
Cancer Society
tests
worth
taking
Know your numbers. To sign up for
a screening, call
541-222-7216
or
scan this code to register online.
www.peacehealth.org
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