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SINGAPORE : Now that another new year has unfolded, one of the most important things you should do is to ensure that you stay healthy.
Often, a medical condition is treated only when it rears its ugly head.
But early discovery can play a big part in steering you in the direction of recovery or prevention.
That is why health screening is vital - even if you do not have any symptoms, because some diseases are dubbed as "silent killers".
According to the Health Promotion Board (HPB), health screening includes of tests and procedures such as blood or urine tests and X-rays and ultrasound. It is usually done at regular intervals - annually or once every two to three years, or when a person reaches a certain age.
The HPB has developed a health-screening booklet, available at www.hpb.gov.sg that recommends key health screenings.
Health Screening for both men and women
Everyone aged 18 and above should be screened annually for obesity, which could lead to problems such as diabetes and several forms of cancer.
For example, colorectal cancer is the most common cancer that afflicts both genders in Singapore.
And so, everyone aged 50 and above should be screened for it.
Dr Chng Shih Kiat, a senior family physician at Raffles Medical Group, said that middle age brings with it the risk of common illnesses such as heart diseases, diabetes and cancers.
According to Dr Wee Wei Keong, director of the Health for Life Centre at Alexandra Hospital, one in 12 adult Singaporean has diabetes and about half are not even aware that they have it.
Screening for diabetes should start from the age of 40. If you are overweight or have other risk factors of developing obesity, consider screening at an earlier age, say around 30.
Check your blood pressure at least once a year if you are aged 40 and above.
Blood pressure conditions can sometimes go unnoticed until health complications such as heart and kidney failure kick in.
At the same time, consider screening for high blood cholesterol if you have had a heart attack or a stroke, suffer from diabetes or have a family history of high cholesterol levels.
Smokers and those with high blood pressure or family members who developed heart disease by age 65, should go for this screening when they turn 30.
If you have been nursing a cough that has persisted for more than three weeks, consider screening for tuberculosis.
Finally, screening for sexually transmitted infections, such as genital herpes and HIV, which spread mainly through sexual contact with an infected person, should be considered for anyone at risk of contracting them.
Health screening for men
Prostate cancer is the sixth most common cancer among Singaporean men.
Men should screen for the cancer, especially if they are above the age of 50, and have a family history of the cancer.
Health screening for women
Go for regular screenings for breast cancer and cervical cancer, as they are the most common and fourth most common cancer respectively among Singaporean women.
All women who have had sexual intercourse should have their first pap smear test by the age of 25 to check for cervical cancer.
Women below the age of 40 need not go for screening but should self-examine their breasts when they reach the age of 30.
You can also find out your risk of getting osteoporosis with the Osteoporosis Self-assessment Tool for Asians by measuring your weight and looking at the chart.
See your doctor if your risk falls in the moderate to high range.
Health screening for the elderly
For those aged 60 and above, some form of visual acuity (sharpness) screening and other eye examinations may be necessary, said Dr Wee.
This will help detect conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma.
He said: "The indications for health screening depends on considerations such as age and risk factors.
"A doctor-based health screening setting gives you an opportunity to highlight, among other things, your medical complaints, lifestyle practices, personal and family medical history. These may suggest the possibility of a previously undetected disease or an increased risk for some disease conditions.
"If the detailed medical history and the doctor's physical examination reveal significant health concerns, other optional tests may be added on accordingly."
Health screening packages available at some hospitals:
Alexandra Hospital's Health for Life Centre offers various health-screening package.
For appointments and enquiries, call 6476 8828.
Raffles Medical Group offers 11 health screening packages. Call their 24 hour appointment hotline number at 6311 1222 for more information. - TODAY
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