You know what they say, don’t you? It’s an oldy, but a goody: Prevention is better than cure.
And the bottom line is, if you can catch any issue early or spot the signs before the condition sets in, you’re in for a far better chance of getting healthy.
If you’ve ever wondered about what you could possibly do to ensure you’re in for a healthy life, then these are the 10 tests for you. Well, maybe not all 10 as some are specific to men or women, but you know what we mean! Let’s get started…
- Blood pressure
This one works for everyone and might just be one of the most important checks you can get done. Blood pressure can indicate whether you’re susceptible to a multitude of conditions from hypertension, stroke, diabetes and heart disease. Luckily, it’s also one of the simplest tests to do and can be done by a nurse at your local pharmacy.
If you’re between 20 and 40 years old, then every few years is just fine. Over 40s should be tested annually. - Glucose levels
If your family has a history of diabetes, you should be getting tested earlier but most checks are aimed at the over-45s.
The thing about glucose levels is that a lot of people test in the pre-diabetic range and can take steps to reduce their risk of diabetes. If you test too late in life, you won’t catch things in time and miss out on the chance to make the correct lifestyle changes.
Luckily, this one is another test your nurse can do, and is simply a pin prick on the finger. - Cholesterol levels
Here’s another one that applies to everyone and can be done by your local nurse. A cholesterol level check is another one that, if your family has a history, you should be getting checked earlier in life. However, it’s recommended you really start getting it checked annually from as early as your late 20s.
Cholesterol levels can indicate your risk of heart disease and stroke, and steps can be taken to help reduce your risk if you test early enough.
The best part of the last three tests is that if you’re a GetSavvi Health member, you have access to the FeelBetterFast bebefit which gives you access to a wide range of pharmacies with trained nurses who can administer these tests for you. - Mole and skin checks
Getting your skin checked for abnormal moles can be a lifesaver. Catching something like skin cancer early on increases your chances for survival massively. Mole checks can start at any age but should be done annually to check for any increased size, shape, discolouration or distortion of your moles. - Glaucoma
This one also applies to all of us but is particularly important for the over-40s. Glaucoma is a disease that affects your vision, and can lead to blindness. It’s very important to get this checked as part of your regular eye test.
It’s non-invasive and feels a little funny, with your eye doctor administering a little puff of air to your eyes as the test. - Colon screening
This one is a little less fun, and generally applies to those over the age of 50 unless your family has a history of colon disease and cancer. Luckily, initial screenings can be done with specific blood tests, but, if necessary, a colonoscopy might be required.
It might be a little uncomfortable to talk about but getting your colon checked is critical as it’s one of the more dangerous cancers around. - Dental checkup
Getting your teeth and gums checked annually should be a date you simply don’t miss. Luckily, GetSavvi Health offers basic and emergency, as well as unlimited Dentistry. - Prostate and testicular check
One for all the gentlemen out there, specifically those over 40. Men should be administering testicular self-checks regularly to ensure there are no abnormalities. If you feel anything that feels a little out of place or strange, you should see your doctor immediately. Testicular cancer is something that can be treated very effectively.
Gents should be getting a regular prostate exam administered by their doctor. A simple prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test will provide accurate results.
Testing for prostate cancer from an early age, especially if you have a family history of prostate issues, is very important and can save your life!
GetSavvi Health members over the age of 50 are covered for prostate antigen exams every two years. - Pap smear
This one is just for the ladies and is an essential genealogical check that all women should have every three years after they turn 21. Pap smears check for cancerous cells, as well as HPV, which can also lead to cervical cancer. GetSavvi Health members are covered for a pap smear every three years, as per their benefits. - Mammogram and breast check
One more for the women, and one that cannot be ignored. All women should be doing regular self-checks on their breasts to check for any abnormalities. You should start checking from a young age, as breast cancer can be caught early and treated effectively.
Women over 50 should get regular mammograms, which are X-rays of the breast tissue, as the older you get the higher your risk of breast cancer.
If your family has a history of breast cancer, mammograms might be necessary from a younger age, and you should contact your doctor.
"Prevention is better than cure” couldn’t be more appropriate!
Disease, and specifically chronic conditions, are affected by numerous factors such as genetic predisposition, disease agents and lifestyle choices.
GetSavvi Health firmly believes in the importance of preventative care by promoting healthier lifestyles. Therefore, our FeelBetterFast and Preventative Benefits do just that: to detect and prevent the onset of disease and treatment before it progresses.
References:
10 Medical Checks That Could Save Your Life, and When to Have Them
Medical Tests Every Man Should Get
Health screenings for women ages 18 to 39
Routine Screenings
Recommended Health Screenings for all Life’s Stages
11 Health Screening Tests Every Woman Should Have
10 Health Screenings All Women Should Have