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Top tests for
women over 50:
Breast Cancer Screening
Your health care professional
should examine your breasts for
any abnormalities once a year. This
exam often is part of the annual
gynaecologic examination. One
should be screened for breast cancer
with mammography every year.
Cervical Cancer Screening
Women over 50 need to get a Pap test
every three years or both a Pap test
and an HPV test every five years. The
Pap test screens for abnormalities that
could indicate pre- or early cervical
cancer. If someone has risk factors
such as previous abnormal screening
results or HIV infection, she should
undergo a Pap test every year.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Women 50 years and older should be
screened for colorectal cancer using
any of several screening methods.
There are a number of tests that
screen for colorectal cancer, and they
are divided into two groups: tests
that find both colorectal cancer and
polyps, and those that mainly find
cancer.
Osteoporosis Screening (Bone
Mineral Density Test)
Osteoporosis is a condition that
causes bones to become brittle
and fragile. It’s most common in
women over 50, and symptoms
include a tendency to fracture easily.
If a woman shows signs of early
osteoporosis, a DEXA bone scan can
help determine whether she has the
condition or are at risk of developing
it.
Cholesterol Screening
Everyone age 20 and over should
know their cholesterol numbers, and
get them checked at least once every
five years.
Blood Pressure & Hypertension
Women over 50 should check blood
pressure at least once a year if normal;
more often if it is at or above 120/80.
Diabetes screening
Diabetes should be screened every
year; more often or earlier if you’re
overweight or have other risks for
diabetes.
Top tests for men:
Even if someone feels fine, it is still
important to see the health care
provider regularly to check for potential
problems. Most people who have high
blood pressure don’t even know it. The
only way to find out is to have blood
pressure checked regularly. Likewise,
high blood sugar and high cholesterol
levels often do not produce any
symptoms until the disease becomes
advanced.
Age-specific guidelines are as follows:
Blood pressure screening
One has to check blood pressure every
two years unless it is 120-139/80-89 Hg
or higher. Then it should be checked
annually. After the age of 50, it is
advisable to monitor blood pressure
once a year.
Cholesterol screening and heart
disease prevention
Men over age 34 should be checked
every 5 years. If one has diabetes, heart
disease, kidney problems, or certain
other conditions, he may need to be
monitored more closely.
Colon cancer screening:
People between ages 50 and 75 should be
screened for colorectal cancer. This may
involve:
• A stool test done every year.
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
along with a stool occult blood test.
• Colonoscopy every 10 years.
• People with risk factors for colon
cancer, such as ulcerative colitis, a
personal/family history of colorectal
cancer, or a history of large colorectal
adenomas may need a colonoscopy more
often.
Preventive health visit every 2 years
until age 50, and then once a year,
should include:
• Checking height and weight
• Screening for alcohol and tobacco use
Prostate cancer screening:
Most men age 50 or older should discuss
screening for prostate cancer with their
health care provider. A PSA blood test
is usually recommended to screen for
prostate cancer.
Diabetes screening:
All men should be monitor glucose
levels yearly after the age of 50.
(Credit: Dr. Sanjida Ahmed)
especially in the first trimester
of the pregnancy, so that she can
understand the possibility of
having a baby with an unusual
number of chromosomes
potentially resulting in a baby
with Down’s syndrome or
Turner’s syndrome,” he says.
Risk assessments
These are genetic tests which Dr.
Ahmed explains need to be done
only once in a life time. “Once
the risk is known, management
of the conditions is required to
prevent the conditions,” she says
and there are various types of
screenings available which are
important at different stages of
life.
Risk Assessment
Screening options:
Pre-marital Screening:
Before
getting married, an individual
should know the genetic
compatibility between the
couple.
Prenatal Screening:
To know
if the fetus is affected with any
chromosomal abnormalities,
first trimester, second trimester
screening and non-invasive or
invasive prenatal diagnosis are
recommended.
Newborn Screening:
24 hours
after the birth of a child, the
screening is done to ascertain
the metabolic/genetic and
endocrinological disorders.
Carrier Screening:
To know
the carrier status of an individual
if any genetic condition exists in
the family.
Cancer Genetic Screening:
To know the risk of hereditary
breast, ovarian, and colon cancer.
Risk assessment test:
To
evaluate the risk of developing
certain conditions in the future,
such as hypertension, diabetes,
or heart conditions.
Sexually Transmitted Disease
(STD) Screening:
To screen for
a panel of STDs that include
Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea in
addition to Cytology and HPV
genotyping can reduce the risk of
cervical cancer.
(Credit: Dr. Sanjida Ahmed)
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Apr/May 2014