8 Health Screenings All Women Need To Have

We don’t know about you, but we get a little nervous when we hear about health screenings, blood tests or urine tests. However, nervous or not, regular screenings should be done even if you feel healthy and well.

Visiting your healthcare provider regularly may even save your life by picking up early warning signs of a particular disease or illness! Detecting a disease early can help you get treatments early and, therefore, improve your quality of life. Read on to find out the 10 health screenings all women need to have!

1. Cholesterol check

It’s important to get your cholesterol level checked as it is used to assess your risk of developing any heart disease or even stroke. If you’re 20 years old or above, your cholesterol level should be checked at least once in five years.

It’s always best to keep your total cholesterol level below 200mg/dl. If you find that you’re at risk of developing heart disease, do check with your doctor on how often you need to get your blood test done.

2. Blood pressure screening

Just like cholesterol level, blood pressure is also associated with heart diseases, diabetes and stroke. Starting at age 20, you should have your blood pressure checked once every two years. A normal blood pressure level is less than 120/80 mmHg. If your results fall above this category, you’re at risk of developing hypertension unless steps are taken to control the condition. 

3. Blood glucose test

This blood test is done to check for diabetes by measuring the level of glucose in the blood. A normal person without diabetes has a range between 70 – 99 mg/dL (fasting). Fasting blood sugar is a blood test taken after fasting for at least 8 hours. Anything above this reading indicates that the person is pre-diabetic or already has diabetes. 

If you’re above 45 years of age and healthy, it’s recommended to take a blood glucose test every three years to check for diabetes. However, if you have a family history of diabetes or are at risk of developing diabetes, it’s best to start testing earlier and often!

4. Pap Smears 

A pap smear is a test carried out to check for abnormal cells in the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer. The pap smear works by inserting a tool called a speculum into the vagina, this is to keep the vagina walls open. The doctor will then be able to scrape a small sample of cells using a small brush from the cervix. The sample of cells will be taken to the lab for further testing for the presence of abnormal cells. 

It is recommended for women between age 21 and 65 to have a pap smear done every three years to ensure there are no abnormal cells in the cervix. For those 30 and above can have a pap smear together with a HPV test every five years. 

5. Bone density test

If you didn’t know, women are more likely to develop osteoporosis compared to men. This is because during menopause, the hormonal changes in women directly affects bone density. Due to the rapid decrease in bone density, women should have a bone density test starting age 65. However, if they are at risk of osteoporosis such as having fractures or low body weight, bone density screening should start earlier. 

6. Mammogram

A mammogram is done for doctors to look for early signs of breast cancer. If you’re wondering how it works, a mammogram is done by compressing the breasts between two clear plates. This is to reduce the thickness of the breast tissue. The X-ray beams then penetrates the reduced thickness of breast tissue and in turn produces clear X-ray images. 

According to the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM), it’s recommended that women age 40 or more should get mammograms done regularly even if you feel like there’s nothing wrong. Mammogram is currently one of the best ways to detect breast cancer early, so speak to your doctor about when you can start getting your breasts checked! 

7. Colon cancer screening

A colonoscopy is a test done to help find early signs of colon cancer. During a colonoscopy, the doctor inserts a flexible camera called a scope into the rectum and to your intestines to check for any abnormal cells. People who are at average risk should start getting a colon cancer screening at age 45. It’s said that colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among women in Malaysia. If you’re at a higher risk, it’s best that you talk to your doctor about your check ups. 

8. Dental check-ups

When was the last time you went for a dental check up? We know nobody likes visiting the dentist but it’s vital to get your teeth checked twice a year to improve overall oral health as well as to prevent future tooth loss. As the saying goes, prevention is always better than cure. Besides, there are many dental clinic in Malaysia for you to get your dental check ups easily! Regular dental check ups can help identify  problems early and therefore keeping your gums and teeth healthy! 

Reference:

• https://www.uhhospitals.org/Healthy-at-UH/articles/2018/08/11-health-screening-tests-every-woman-should-have
• https://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health/10-screenings-all-women-should-have.aspx
• https://www.homage.com.my/health/mammograms/
• https://www.sunwaymedical.com/blogpost/colorectal-cancer-in-malaysia#:~:text=For%20those%20who%20are%20at,family%20history%20of%20colorectal%20cancer.