Preventive Health Screenings In Early Detection Of Women's Diseases

Preventive health encompasses a set of health services meant to screen and possibly identify health issues before symptoms develop. It includes health care programs aimed at warding off illnesses, early detection of disease, and inhibiting further deterioration of the body. Preventive healthcare can help you live a longer, healthier life. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines prevention as “approaches and activities aimed at reducing the likelihood that a disease or disorder will affect an individual, interrupting or slowing the progress of the disorder or reducing disability”

Evidence has proved that investment in public health is more efficient and effective than an emphasis on curative and rehabilitative services. Despite the emphasis, preventive and promotive healthcare in India are the most neglected areas among health services. Currently, the health system in India is largely focused on the treatment of illness and disease. 

Why Preventive Health Screenings Can Prevent Serious Damages

Preventive health screening is important for women over 40, and now even in their 30s, as this is the time when many health issues may arise. Everyone’s top priority should be getting regular health examinations. Women tend to be caregivers and don’t always take care of themselves. From adolescence to your childbearing years, menopause and beyond, preventive care is essential.

Exactly, what is preventive screening? And when does the physician recommend it? A screening test is a kind of test done before you show any symptoms of a disease. It is conducted to detect possible ailments or to find out if you are at risk of a certain disease.

70 percent of the serious health issues that a woman gets in her later ages are preventable provided she goes for regular health check-ups. Women go through unique healthcare challenges and mostly get diagnosed at the last stages. It has been seen that chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes are the leading causes of female mortality. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 38 percent of women suffer from one or more chronic diseases, compared to 30 percent of men. 

Important health check-ups that women must get done as a part of preventive health screening

1. Screening for Breast Cancer

a. Screening of breast cancer consists of clinical exams and screening mammograms.

b. If your age is between 18 to 39 years, your doctor may do a clinical breast examination.

c. As per the American Cancer Society, women aged 40-44 can choose to start screening every year

2.  Screening for Cervical Cancer

a. Screening for cervical cancer includes Pap smear and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing.

b. A doctor can take a Pap smear to examine the cells of your cervix to understand the risk of cervical cancer, which when detected early is highly treatable.

3.  Thyroid Function Tests

Low levels of thyroid hormones or hypothyroidism slow your metabolism and can cause symptoms like fatigue, dry skin, weight gain, and irregularity in menstrual cycles whereas high levels of thyroid or hyperthyroidism can cause increased heartbeat, anxiety, weight loss, difficulty sleeping, etc.

4.  Tests for Vitamin Deficiency

a. Several reports suggest that Indian women are more commonly deficient in Vitamin D and B12.

b. The levels of vitamins are of utmost importance for your optimal health. It has been observed that bone disorders (osteoarthritis) are more common in older women, who are more likely to have vitamin D deficiency. 

5.  Blood Pressure Screening

a. Several hormonal and lifestyle factors in women such as menopause, complications with pregnancy, and stress, can cause variations in blood pressure and in turn, increase the risk of heart disease.

b. A bi-annual checkup is recommended for individuals with normal blood pressure, starting at the age of 20

6.  Screening for Diabetes

a. Doctors usually advise that women should get a blood glucose test every three years to check for diabetes or pre-diabetes starting around age 45 or if their blood pressure is above 135/80 or they have high cholesterol levels.

b. Other risk factors include family history, physical inactivity, and body mass index (BMI) greater than 25.

7.  Lipid Panel Test

A lipid panel is vital as it helps to check your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and acts as a tool to determine the risk of heart disease or stroke.

8.  Depression Screening

An important component of your annual preventive checkup is depression screening. A simple questionnaire assesses how you are feeling. Depending on how you respond, your doctor may give you a more in-depth survey.

Early detection saves lives, some diseases like breast cancer are treatable when caught in the earliest stages. So, screening can save your life by catching these health risks early. So, if we women undergo health checkups regularly then we can easily find these serious health issues at their earliest stage and get rid of them easily.

Consult your healthcare physician now regarding all of these as well as other types of screening tests, based on your medical condition make an appointment for a health check today.

Being healthy is the key to being happy, and the importance of screening tests for our health cannot be emphasised enough. Apart from some advantages that it has to offer, as you can see, the importance of the screening test lies in the fact that it gives you a stress-free life where you have the freedom to pursue your career and dreams without being bogged down by health concerns. With regular health screening, you can give yourself a better and healthier life.   

Authored by Dr Apurrva Sawant, Preventive Healthcare Expert, Doctor and Founder of Careport