Taking Care of Yourself: Top Screening Test for Men and Women

Benjamin Frankin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It is easier to stop something from happening in the first place than to repair the damage after it has happened. It is better to take reasonable precautions than to suffer severe consequences later. Historians say when Franklin first used this expression, he was not discussing disease but fire prevention. However, we recognize that preventive care for our health is beneficial.

Unfortunately, many individuals are less likely to engage in preventive health. We are more likely to seek medical treatment and advice when symptoms are present. Health experts encourage us to get yearly checkups. However, many are lagging in receiving preventive medical care. Let’s identify the three top preventive tests for men and women.

Tests For Women

Pelvic Exam and Pap Smear: Many women equate a pelvic exam to a pap smear. Although typically done simultaneously, the pelvic exam is the physical exam of the external and internal female reproductive organs. This can aid in determining any abnormalities of the uterus or ovaries.

In general, Pap smears are performed to identify the presence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer and are not recommended until a female is 21 years of age. If your Pap smear is negative, the next one is not recommended for 3-5 years, depending on your age.

Breast Exam: It may surprise you that by the time a cancerous lump can be felt in the breast, it has probably been there for several years. Putting emphasis on manual breast exams has been found to develop a false sense of security. Often, women think if a breast exam done by them or their provider is normal, they do not need a mammogram. This is false.

Mammogram: Mammograms are the standard of care for breast cancer screening. It is recommended that all women between 35 and 75 need a mammogram at least every other year. The recommendation to start earlier depends on your family history and should be part of a conversation with your provider. Other screening tests to determine the presence of cancer include ultrasound and a biopsy of the breast.

Dexa Scan: Osteoporosis is a condition that occurs in postmenopausal women due to the lack of estrogen. In osteoporosis, the bones weaken, increasing the risk of fractures. Caucasian and Asian women are more prone to this condition. Screening is done via a specialized, non-invasive x-ray. Women should be screened starting at age 65.

Tests for Men

Prostate screening: African-American men are at high risk for developing prostate cancer. It is recommended men 55-69, initially get screened via a prostate-specific antigen(PSA) lab test. Rectal examinations maybe recommended for men with a family history of prostate cancer.

Blood Cholesterol: All men 35 or older should get their blood cholesterol levels checked regularly. Men who use tobacco; are overweight; have a relative who had a heart attack before age 50; or have diabetes, high blood pressure or a history of heart disease should get their cholesterol checked at the age of 20. There are several measures of cholesterol, and all are important in determining heart disease risk.

Abdominal Ultrasound: Men between the ages of 65 and 75 who have ever smoked tobacco should get screened for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). This condition is caused by an enlarged blood vessel in the stomach that ruptures suddenly. AAAs frequently have no symptoms and are fatal in up to 90 percent of cases. An Abdominal Ultrasound can help determine an aortic aneurysm's presence, size, and extent. The major risk of this aortic bulging is a rupture resulting in severe or fatal i nternal bleeding.

Tests for Everyone

Blood analysis/ Lab test: Everyone 21 years and older should have a blood analysis test at least once a year. Lab exams should include a complete blood cell count, assessing the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, electrolytes levels, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and blood values that reflect liver and kidney functioning.

Colonoscopy: This test is recommended for everyone 50 years old, and is the screening for colon cancer. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in American men and women.

Blood Pressure Screening: Everyone should have their blood pressure checked regularly, and people with cardiovascular risk factors such as high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, and smoking should check their blood pressure more frequently. High blood pressure is the biggest risk for heart disease and a significant risk for other serious health conditions.

Depression Screening: Don’t ignore your mental health. An estimated six million men and women suffer from depression. Indivduals are undiagnosed due to lack of serious conversations with their doctors. If you’ve experienced significant changes in appetite or sleeping patterns; decreased energy or motivation; feelings of hopelessness, restlessness or irritability, difficulty concentrating or have nappropriate feelings of guilt or related feelings for more than two weeks, talk to your doctor about getting screened for depression.

We are still in the first quarter of the new year. Consider vowing to get these tests during the lenten season and before summer. Honor God by rededicating your body to God. Pull on your inner Levite integrity and take care of the temple God gave you.