13 tests you need to take in the New Year

HIV home-testing Kit. As we begin the year, we need to change the approach to our health from a curative one to a preventive one. In other words, we should stop waiting to become sick in order to visit the doctor. Photo/FILE

What you need to know:

  • There is nothing more effective in assessing your health than a good physical check up done by an efficient, well-prepared doctor.
  • This allow them to individualise your care and perform only the most essential tests needed in your situation.

As we begin the year, we need to change the approach to our health from a curative one to a preventive one. In other words, we should stop waiting to become sick in order to visit the doctor.

We should instead go for regular (annual) check-ups in order to see if we are at risk of developing a particular disease and see how to go about preventing it from happening.

PHYSICAL CHECK-UP

There is nothing more effective in assessing your health than a good physical check up done by an efficient, well-prepared doctor.

If you give all the necessary information about yourself to your doctor, he/she will be in a position to know what vital areas need special attention.

This allow them to individualise your care and perform only the most essential tests needed in your situation.

WEIGHT CONTROL PROFILE

As part of the physical examination, ensure you get your weight, height and BMI (body mass index) checked. This will help you gauge whether your weight is ideal for your height.

This is vital in setting targets for any weight loss programme you may be planning for the new year. Some doctors also recommend assessing your body fat percentage.

CHOLESTEROL/LIPID PROFILE

Contrary to popular belief, everyone has cholesterol in their body. However, when in excess, it can coat the inner lining of blood vessels and lead to various complications such as heart attack and stroke.

It is, therefore, important to ensure that your cholesterol levels are within normal range. Ask your doctor for a ‘Lipid profile’ test which checks on various fats in the body (including cholesterol).

PAP SMEAR

The cervix is the opening of the uterus (womb). Cervical cancer is one of the easiest to detect and can be treated effectively when detected early. A pap smear is a simple yet effective way of screening for cervical cancer.

It needs to be done on all women over 21 years (regardless of whether or not they are sexually active) and should be done earlier for girls who become sexually active in their teens.

E.C.G

This is a test to check the electrical activity of the heart. It is particularly important for people who have high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease or recurrent unexplained chest pain.

It shows any abnormal function (these cannot be seen on a chest radiograph/X-ray) and is vital in detecting heart attacks.

MAMMOGRAM/BREAST ULTRASOUND

Breast cancer is usually detected by most women during self examination at home. However, even the most efficient examiner can fail to notice a very small lump or other subtle changes that are happening in her breast.

It is for this reason that all women over 40 should go for mammograms while younger ones should have a breast ultrasound. This helps detect early changes that occur in breast cancer and it can even help show the extent of spread of the cancer.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING

This is a routine test that should be done at least once every year. Just like diabetes, if someone is found to have the potential to develop high blood pressure (medically known as the pre-hypertensive state), lifestyle and dietary changes can be effected to prevent the hypertension from developing.

DIABETES SCREENING

Blood sugar levels should be checked during every annual check up – especially if you are over 40 and have a family history of diabetes.

Using blood sugar tests, you can even tell if a person is developing diabetes (a period known as the pre-diabetic state) and can actually prevent the person from developing diabetes through various lifestyle and dietary changes.

PROSTATE HEALTH SCREENING

If you have family history of prostate cancer or have features of prostate enlargement (difficulty urinating with associated weak stream), have your PSA levels checked.

PSA (Prostate specific antigen) is used as a screen for prostate cancer. Although it is not necessary to have your PSA routinely checked, it is advisable for all men over 50 to have their prostates examined by a medical doctor.

HIV TEST

When undetected, HIV can reign havoc on the body. From constant infections, weight loss and even cancer development, uncontrolled HIV is devastating.

This scenario has changed since people started using appropriate medication (ARVs) – HIV positive couples are even getting HIV negative babies.

HIV tests are now easy and convenient to perform. They actually take less than five minutes to do and can be done as part of your routine physical check-up.

LUNG CANCER SCREENING

If you have a persistent cough that does not go away despite treatment – have a chest scan done. (Usually, the doctor does a chest radiograph/X-ray to start with).

A chest scan is now globally being used to screen for lung cancer. This is especially important for smokers.

COLON (INTESTINE) CANCER SCREENING

For a long time, colon cancer was considered a ‘disease of the west’ and was rarely detected among Africans.

However, this has changed drastically in the past four decades and we are seeing it more and more – even here in Kenya. Unfortunately, we are detecting most of these cases when it is too late.

There are, however, screening tools for colon cancer (stool tests and colonoscopy) which can be discussed with your doctor during your next check up.

ANAEMIA SCREENING

Anaemia is a condition in which one does not have sufficient haemoglobin (HB) which is the active part of blood cells.

Women and children are particularly prone to anaemia due to heavy monthly periods and childbirth and poor feeding habits among children. In certain parts of Kenya, intestinal worms are a major cause of anaemia in children.

Pregnant women with severe anaemia are also at risk of getting very small babies, babies who do not thrive after birth and even miscarriages.

It is, therefore, important to screen for anaemia and make the necessary medical, dietary and lifestyle changes to deal with it.

Happy New Year!

This article first appeared in the Business Daily