Screenings

What’s In There?

A closer look inside the body helps find small problems before they become big.

As the Dutch proverb goes, “prevention is better than cure.” Preventative health screenings are a critical component to staying healthy. “The ultimate goal for older adults is to maintain function and independence,” says Dr. Laura Morton, associate professor of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Louisville. Preventative screenings help you identify problems before they start, or at early stages, which can lead to swift treatment. As the new year begins, commit to getting preventative screenings to optimize your health in 2023.

Work with your primary care physician to coordinate your overall prevention strategy. “Your primary care physician should be the captain of the ship and help you navigate the screenings you need. It is not one size fits all. Our bodies change as we age, and what we need will change,” says Dr. Morton. Annual wellness visits also ensure that several screenings are completed each year.

Dr. Morton also recommends referencing the website choosingwisely.org. The site, supported by the ABIM Foundation, helps patients determine what medical treatments, including preventative screenings, are necessary. “This site is very helpful in defining what questions you should be asking your doctor. It is good for both patients and family members or caregivers,” says Dr. Morton.

Here are some preventative screenings to consider with your doctor.

COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING

Colorectal cancer screening can be done by a stool-based test or a visual exam of the colon and rectum. The type of test you choose will dictate how often the screening is needed. A colonoscopy, which is a visual exam, is recommended every 10 years from ages 45-75. A stool test, such as the highly sensitive fecal immunochemical test (FIT), is recommended every year. The American Cancer Society recommends that individuals ages 76-85 base their decision for screening on several factors including current health, personal preference, and previous screening results. This screening is not recommended for adults over the age of 85.

ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM SCREENING (MEN)

Men who have smoked in their lifetime have an increased risk of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The aorta is the main blood vessel that transports blood from the heart to the abdomen and beyond. A weakened aorta wall in the abdomen can create a bulge, also called an aneurysm. A one-time ultrasound screening of the abdomen is recommended for men at age 65 who have a history of smoking to assess if an aneurysm is present.

CALCIUM-SCORE SCREENING

The calcium-score screen is a measure of calcium deposits in the coronary artery of your heart. The screening is conducted by a CT scan that uses X-rays to create several images that show any build up in your arteries. The scan takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Results are given as a score between 0-400. A score of 300 or higher indicates severe risk for heart disease or heart attack. Men and women over the age of 40 with an increased risk for heart disease may want to consider this screening. Most insurance policies do not cover this screening.

LUNG CANCER SCREENING

According to the CDC website, an annual lung cancer screening is recommended for individuals who meet three criteria, “have a 20-pack/year or more smoking history, and; smoke now or have quit within the past fifteen years, and; are between the ages of 50-80.” This screening is conducted via a low-dose CT (LDCT) scan which takes only a few minutes to complete. The CT scan has been proven more effective than chest X-rays at identifying abnormal growth in the lungs and early detection of lung cancer. Portions of the cost of a lung cancer screening is often covered by insurance.

By Tami Pyles

Winter 2022-2023 | TodaysTransitions.com