YOUR 2008 HEALTH M-O-T ; Blood Pressure, Cancer, Cholesterol. The Simple Tests You Should Have in the Next 12 Months … Whatever Your Age
By ANGELA EPSTEIN
IT’S THAT time of year when many of us make specific resolutions, such as quitting smoking. But monitoring our general well-being is just as vital. This can be done with routine checks, usually available on the NHS. Here, ANGELA EPSTEIN rounds up the tests you should be having for a healthy 2008.
If you have any worrying symptoms, you should always see your GP more frequently than the time scale or age bracket suggested here. For each age range, add the tests suggested for the age group before your own.
AGE: 18+ TESTICLES REASON: To spot early warning signs of testicular cancer, the most common form of cancer in men aged 15 to 45.
FREQUENCY: At least once a month.
TEST: Check yourself after a warm shower when the skin is relaxed. Look out for lumps, an increase in firmness or an unusual difference between one testicle and the other, in which case see your GP.
MONEY NO OBJECT: The MRI screening clinic Prescan (0845 257 0012) offers ultrasound scanning to assess the health of the male pelvis. A single scan costs Pounds 440.
SMEAR TEST REASON: Detects early abnormalities which could lead to cancer of the cervix, especially important as the disease is symptomless at first. Women aged 25 to 64 are invited for a free cervical screening test at their GP’s surgery.
However, women who are sexually active should have a smear test before 25 to spot human papilloma virus (HPV) a cause of this cancer.
FREQUENCY: Every three to five years.
TEST: Cells are swiped from the surface of the cervix and sent away for analysis.
EYES REASON: AN OPTICIAN can detect eye conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration which can cause blindness, as well as early signs of diabetes and cancer.
FREQUENCY: Every two years.
TEST: A full vision test at an optician’s costs on Pounds 17 to Pounds 30, but is free for the over-60s.
MONEY NO OBJECT: The Optomap retinal exam can identify early signs of heart disease, cancer and diabetes by making a 200-degree examination of the retina. (Routine eye examinations show only a 30- degree section of the eye.) Costs around Pounds 20.
AGE 25-35 BLOOD PRESSURE REASON: Untreated high blood pressure (which has no warning symptoms) can lead to heart disease and stroke.
FREQUENCY: At least every five years, but more often as you age.
TEST: A sphygmomanometer is cuffed round the arm and inflated. A reading over 140/90mmHg is high. Blood pressure the arm and inflated. A reading 140/90mmHg is high. Blood pressure monitors can be bought over the counter, but for the most accurate results, see your GP.
BLOOD GLUCOSE REASON: Spots early signs of type 2 diabetes. Up to one million people may have diabetes without knowing it, and many don’t find out until their 50s. Diabetes testing is particularly important if you’re overweight, Asian or have a family history of the disease. Symptoms include increased thirst, passing water more frequently, tiredness, fatigue and weight loss.
FREQUENCY: Once a year.
TEST: A blood test by your GP.
AGE 35-45 CHOLESTEROL REASON: High cholesterol can lead to heart attack and stroke. Ask for full results to show the amount of LDL (‘bad’ cholesterol) and HDL (‘good’ cholesterol) in your blood.
You should have a total blood cholesterol level of less than 5mmol/litre, and an LDL level of under 3mmol/litre.
FREQUENCY: See your GP every five years if in normal range; once a year if high.
TEST: Blood test. Particularly important if you have a family history of cardiovascular disease.
LIVER REASON: Detects early signs of cirrhosis, liver cancer or jaundice.
Symptoms tend to be vague, such as fatigue, abdominal pains and nausea.
FREQUENCY: See your GP for a test every five years but more if your drinking regularly exceeds recommended limits.
TEST: A blood test.
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MONEY NO OBJECT: Private blood tests cost around Pounds 40. There is also a new Pounds 205 liver scanning service offered by The London Clinic, 020 7616 7719.
LUNGS REASON: Picks up early signs of lung cancer, asthma, respiratory disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Symptoms can include coughing, wheezing and chest pain.
FREQUENCY: Every five years but more frequently for smokers.
TEST: A machine called a spirometer at your GP surgery which tests the amount and speed of air flow from your lungs.
MONEY NO OBJECT: A private CT scan to produce cross-sectional images of the lungs. But some doctors question the effectiveness and safety of elective CT scans because of radiation. Costs around Pounds 350.
AGE 45-60 HEART REASON: To detect warning signs of angina (chest pain) and heart attack. Symptoms can include a crushing sensation in the chest and breathlessness.
FREQUENCY: Every five years.
TEST: GPs can conduct a cardiovascular risk assessment, which includes tests for blood pressure and cholesterol levels. If necessary, an electrocardiogram (ECG) can be carried out to measure the electrical activity of the heart and pick up on an abnormal rhythm.
MONEY NO OBJECT: A coronary calcium scan. This is an X-ray which measures the amount of chalk in the coronary arteries. The higher the level, the greater the risk of stroke or heart disease. Costs Pounds 600.
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BONE REASON: To detect the bonethinning condition osteoporosis, which tends to be symptomless until a sufferer experiences a fracture.
FREQUENCY: On the advice of your GP. Risk factors are the prolonged use of steroids, smoking, early menopause, excessive drinking, a family history of hip fractures or a body mass index of less than 19.
TEST: A DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan that measures the density and calcium content of bones.
MONEY NO OBJECT: DEXAs are not routinely offered by the NHS, unless necessary. They cost around Pounds 100 privately.
BREASTS REASON: Early detection of breast cancer. The NHS provides free mammograms for women aged 50 and over (47 from May). But those with a family history of breast cancer under 40 are entitled to earlier screening. Symptoms include a change in the size or shape of the breast, a lump and blood-stained discharge from the nipple.
FREQUENCY: Every three years.
TEST: An X-ray of the breasts ask for a referral from your GP.
MONEY NO OBJECT: Digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI), a non- invasive technique that claims to pick up potentially malignant tumours five to eight years before they are detected by mammography.
No exposure to radiation, unlike mammograms. Initial costs Pounds 225.
PROSTATE REASON: To spot benign prostate enlargement or prostate cancer.
FREQUENCY: To be decided by your GP.
TEST: There is no formal national screening for prostate cancer. Men over 50 experiencing urinary problems (frequent night-time visits to the toilet) should see their GP who may suggest a PSA blood test.
MONEY NO OBJECT: Ultrasound scan of the pelvis costs Pounds 440.
AGE 60-80 ONCE you reach 60, increase eye tests to once a year. No need for smear tests after the age of 64 or mammograms after the age of 70, but you might want to increase liver, heart and kidney function tests to every three years.
EARS REASON: Age-related hearing loss.
FREQUENCY: Every two years.
TEST: No routine screening service on the NHS, but see your GP first, as wax or an infection may be affecting your hearing. If not, you should be referred to an audiologist who can test your hearing more thoroughly. The Royal National Institute For The Deaf’s has a fiveminute telephone hearing test on 0845 600 55 55 (local rate).
MONEY NO OBJECT: Private tests cost about Pounds 25.
BOWEL REASON: Detection of polyps (abnormal tissue growth) or bowel cancer. Can be symptomless, but you might also experience bleeding from the back passage or in stools, and constipation or diarrhoea that lasts more than a week.
FREQUENCY: Every two years.
TEST: The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme is being rolled out nationally for everyone aged 60 to 69. Samples of stools are sent away for analysis.
MONEY NO OBJECT: Virtual colonoscopy uses a CT scanner to look at the large bowel (colon) in greater detail to detect polyps and signs of cancer. Costs around Pounds 500..
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