Logo
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Health Screening Introduction

Health Screening is vital in the early detection of various indolent health conditions.
Consult Us Now!
Table of Contents

Health Screening

For a first-timer, health screening can be daunting, especially when browsing through websites with a myriad of various health screening options and prices. As every patient has different risks and medical needs, the process and tests of a health screening may be tweaked by your physician as you go along for your health checkup.

Why should we consider health screening?

Health screening is vital in the early detection of various indolent health conditions. Modern lifestyle, stress, and family medical history can predispose a person to different medical conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), gout, diabetes and even cancer.

Health screenings are beneficial in that it allows you to understand your personal health condition, potential risks, and take charge of your health proactively to prevent or lower risk of health ailment. Health screening is essentially actively checking a person inside-out. It should be individualised, thorough, and holistic in approach.

Consult us today!

What should I expect on the day of a health screening?

You are expected to consult with your physician on your medical histories and concerns. Your doctor may take into account your family and social history to better understand your individual medical risks. If you have any concerning symptoms, you are encouraged to discuss with your doctor on the day of your health screening so that the doctor can guide you on any tests to address your concerns. At the end of the consultation, you should have an understanding on what tests are necessary for your health screening.

Depending on individual needs, health screening often comprises blood tests, urine tests, and stools tests. In some patients who wish to have a more detailed checkup, imaging tests and heart tests may be added on. Your doctor will discuss with you when is the most suitable time to run through the tests.

Summarising the common components/screening tests of health screening:

  • Medical history review: your doctor will understand your medical history, family history, individual concerns, and expectations. Your doctor may advise you for further suitable tests based on your personal needs.
  • Physical examinations: your doctor will perform a comprehensive full body multi-organ physical examination.
  • Blood tests: a series of blood tests for screening of common chronic conditions such as cholesterol disorders, diabetes, gout, kidney and liver diseases, thyroid diseases, anaemia, leukaemia, and cancer. Screening blood tests are also offered for screening of infective and inflammatory conditions such as HIV, syphilis, viral hepatitis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Electrocardiogram(ECG): a baseline cardiac tracing for heart rhythm and function.
  • Chest X-Ray: a lung screening for lung conditions such as infection, tuberculosis, or other lung pathologies.
  • Urine tests: aids the understanding of your kidneys and urinary tract function.
  • Stools tests: used to screen for intestinal disorders and blood in the stools (occult blood) and is part of colon cancer screening.
  • Tumour markers: tumour markers are made up of a panel of blood tests to screen for cancer cells that produce tumour markers. Currently, there are tumour marker screening for liver cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, nose cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer.
  • Stress treadmill ECG: part of screening for coronary heart disease.
  • Pap smear: female medical procedure offered for cervical cancer screening.
  • Ultrasound, MRI, CT scan screening: safe imaging modalities to visualise various internal organs to detect abnormalities.

What happens after my health screening tests?

You are encouraged to follow-up your health screening test results with your doctor who offered you the tests. A good health screening patches a medical story about a person’s health, allowing you to learn about the strength and weaknesses of your body.

With an insight on your health, hopefully you will be able to take away health advice from your doctor to maintain or even improve your general health.

In certain cases, underlying medical conditions may be diagnosed during the health screening, further intervention with tertiary medical care may be required. Your doctor will guide you through the results and interpretation of your tests during the follow-up review.

Can I omit the doctor’s consultation for my health screening, since I am doing health screening annually?

You are not encouraged to do so. As our health may change over time, there may be tell-tale signs of worsening health. Without consulting your doctor, the health tests may be inadequate. Speaking to your doctor before your health screening allows you to be aware of the potential individual health pitfalls and target your health screening towards your concerns/personal health.

Can I opt out of the results review with my doctor after health screening?

If you are confident in results interpretation (for patients who do health screening annually), this is a possible option. Nonetheless, it is never a bad idea to spend a little time in the clinic with your physician to run through the results, as ‘not all results that are within the range are normal, similarly, not all results that are out of the range are abnormal’.

How frequently should I do a general health screening?

Regular interval health screening is encouraged as our health changes over time. Depending on your health screening results, personal medical risks, your doctor may advise for a shorter interval duration to follow up or monitor certain results. You are encouraged to speak to your doctor regarding the frequency of your individual health screening.

Afterword

health conditions, invariably, living in the now and striving for a better tomorrow is one of many important goals in life. This includes our health. We treasure our health. We want to know, be aware, have a better understanding of our own personal health, make a difference, and improve our general wellbeing and prevent health conditions from taking its toll on us. Health is the biggest wealth. Screen, detect, and enhance your health today!

Related Articles

Health Screening: Don’t Leave Cancer To Chance

A major component of health screening involves cancer screening.

Continue Reading →
January 23, 2020

Related Services

General Health Screening

General health screening is recommended for individuals of all ages, but the frequency and type of screening may vary depending on age, gender, and medical history.

cross