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lifewise | may - jun 2010
f e a t u r e
get there e arly
may - jun 2010 | lifewise
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by michelle bong with consultation from dr tan may ling, health enrichment centre, tan tock seng hospital
So the saying goes, the earlier the detection, the higher the chances for a cure. As such, medical screenings should be a regular part of today’s hectic lifestyles.
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n an age where common diseases are mutating into deadlier forms and medical conditions such as heart disease and cancer are top killers in Singapore, health experts advise that early detection can make all the difference. Health screening plays an important role in detecting traces of illness in its early stages. An early diagnosis not only increases one’s chances of a full recovery, it also means patients avoid life threatening complications that require lengthy and expensive hospital stays — and are only subjected to a simple course of treatment or medications instead.
di d you know
In Singapore, there are many initiatives in place to provide screening services for a variety of conditions. According to the Health Promotion Board, the range of screenings cover cervical and breast, as well as an Integrated Screening programme for Singaporeans aged 40 years and up, to detect diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, obesity and cervical cancer. This is available via registered GP clinics. If you haven’t already done so, speak to your HR department to find out if the company you work for offers free or subsidised health screenings.
For more information on health screening and the various packages available, visit www.ttsh.com.sg/ new/specialtiescentres/health.php
s c r e e n i n g at ev e ry age
screen test Health screening comprises tests, which are carried out to detect a disease or condition. Dr Tan May Ling, Doctor-in-charge at Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s Health Enrichment Centre (HEC) says these include blood, urine, stool and radiological tests. “Ideally, screenings should be conducted at regular intervals and any abnormalities should be followed up to prevent the development of complications. It is also important to note that health screening tests are not diagnostic and may require confirmation,” she says. Dr Tan adds that “the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that health screenings be conducted for conditions which have a high prevalence, where the natural history of the disease is understood, where there is a recognisable latent or early symptomatic stage, an acceptable screening test which is cost-effective and where accepted treatment and useful intervention is available.” Health screening, she stresses, is an effective strategy to help prevent illnesses and encourage people to maintain a healthy lifestyle. “Today’s lifestyles are fairly unhealthy,” she maintains. “For the majority of the working population, stress, lack of exercise and the consumption of highly-refined foods often lead to high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. With health screening, early detection coupled with the doctor’s advice can accelerate the journey to better health and eating habits.
d r tan m ay l i n g has th e f o l l o wi n g h e a lt h s c r e e n i n g r e com m e n dat i o n s :
TEENS Get tested for high cholesterol, high blood sugar, high uric acid and ask for a treadmill stress test (TMX) as well, if you have chest pain. Given that many of today’s teens lead sedentary lifestyles, it’s never too early to get a health screening.
20’S Go for basic blood tests, which include cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, uric acid, liver function, kidney and thyroid function, and urine and stool tests.
30’S Screening is highly dependent on the individual’s risk factors, although it is recommended that a health screening is to be done once every two years.
40’S AND ABOVE Annual health screening is recommended, but the frequency of health screening is highly dependent on the individual’s risk factors and lifestyle practices. Ask to do basic blood tests which include cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, uric acid, liver function, kidney and thyroid function, and urine and stool tests. More detailed radiological tests such as ultrasound abdomen, ultrasound pelvis, ultrasound prostate, or cardiac tests are also advised, depending on your individual requirements.
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lifewise | may - jun 2010
f e a t u r e
h ea lth comes fi r st ! ta k e t i m e o u t o f you r b u sy s c h e d u l e to u n d e r g o h e a lt h s c r e e n i n g , a n d n ot o n ly m ay you get a c lean bi ll of h ealth, yo u ’l l als o hav e p eace o f m i n d .
A full body check up generally covers the following, but prices differ depending on which medical services provider you go to.
11. Blood test ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `
Full blood examination Liver function test Kidney function test Diabetic screen Gout screen Lipid profile Hepatitis B screen Stool analysis
22. Urine test to detect kidney stones, infection, and kidney disorders.
33. Electrocardiogram (ECG) to check for heart disease and heart attacks Other available checks you can request for include HIV antibodies tests and tests for other sexual transmitted diseases, stool and Hepatitis A & B screening. Full body checkups are available at polyclinics and hospitals island-wide, for convenience. At Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s Health Enrichment Centre (HEC), eight different health screening packages are available, and run the gamut of offering detailed eye screening services to full cardiac scans. Prices range from $198 to $1,098. During health screening, a detailed medical history is also taken. An average screening takes two to five hours, depending on how many tests are required. Besides medical screening, an individual should also go for an annual dental and eye check.
B E FOR E A S C R E E N I NG… ` Fasting is required 10 to 12 hours before your appointment date. This allows blood sugars to stabilise for more accurate blood test results for your glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides. ` Avoid iron supplements for three days prior to your screening, if your selected health screening package includes a stool test. ` Avoid consuming any diabetic medication on your health screening day, till after your blood test. If you are on any other medication, please call the Health Enrichment Centre for advice, as you may need to stop this medication if you are going for specialised radiological or cardiac tests, e.g. treadmill stress test. ` If you are not feeling well, postpone your health screening to a later date as illness and medications (such as antibiotics) can affect screening results. ` If you are menstruating, do reschedule your screening day till a few days later. Blood traces in urine, stool or Pap Smear tests can affect screening results. ON S C R E E N I NG DAY, D O B R I NG ALON G … ` Your NRIC (for Singaporean) and Passport/ Employment Pass/Work Permit/Visit Pass (for Foreigners) ` Health Screening registration form
where to get help tan tock seng hospital Health Enrichment Centre Level 1, Tan Tock Seng Hospital Tel: (65) 6357-2233 / 2235 Fax: (65) 6357-2234 Email: HEC@ttsh.com.sg
may - jun 2010 | lifewise
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get there early
protect your employees A healthy workforce is a productive workforce. The Health Enrichment Centre at Tan Tock Seng Hospital offers customised healthcare solutions to meet your company’s needs. services: ` Individual and Corporate Health Screening ` Onsite Health Screening ` Onsite Vaccination ` Corporate Health Talks ` Wellness Services (Dental, Eye Screening, LASIK Surgery, Golf Assessment, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Travellers’ Health and Vaccination Services)
For corporate enquiries, please contact TTSH Business Development at 63578188 or email HEC@ttsh.com.sg
“Health screening is important for those who have a family history of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes or cancer. Certain races, like the Indians, are at higher risk of heart disease due their high-fat and sugar-rich diet. Smokers and drinkers are also high risk groups.”
be safe, not sorry
PHOTOS: ISTOCKPHOTO
Often, health screenings are only sought when a problem has been detected and ignored for some time either due to hectic lifestyles or the proverbial “if I ignore it, it may go away” mentality. When you use health screenings as a last resort, you are really subjecting yourself to more harm. By then, you may already be experiencing an unexplainable loss in weight or appetite, bodily complaints, prostate-related complaints for males or gynaecological problems for females. “People are hesitant about health screening because of the fear of the unknown,” says Dr Tan. “Most people would rather not know what is wrong with them but they probably
already suspect something is amiss due to their unhealthy diet, habits and lack of exercise. Generally, women are more health conscious than men and tend to be the ones who come forward for health screening. Men, in turn, tend to be coerced by their wives to come for screening!” Dr Tan feels that one’s age and lifestyle determine the type of screenings necessary (see box story). Naturally, as a person ages, more medical attention is generally needed as the body undergoes wear and tear, not to mention become subject to more stress factors, over the years. On top of opting for health screening at a medical facility, it also doesn’t hurt to try to live a healthier lifestyle with a good blend of diet and exercise. Achieving mental health is also important, so do what you can to reduce your stress levels; some proactive methods include setting firm timelines that allow you to enjoy time with the family, recreational hobbies and other pursuits, on top of work. Don’t be passive about healthy living, and feel free to speak to your family doctor to find the answers you need.