Humana HealthBeat Transcript Archive

May 19

Screening tests and physical exams

You’ve heard the adage an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

In terms of your health, you want to try to prevent or stop diseases that you’re most at risk for. Screening tests and physical exams do just that; they identify risk factors or disease early enough so that they can be treated effectively.

A good screening test should be sensitive enough to identify a problem early enough for it to be treated. At the same time it should also be specific to the disease that’s being looked for so that unnecessary tests looking for other problems are avoided. It should also be easily available and acceptable to most people; otherwise, no one would want to be screened. Luckily we have a number of good screening tests for some of the conditions that put women at most risk.

The most common cause of death in women overall is heart disease. Screening for high cholesterol, a risk factor for heart disease, should begin at age 45 and be repeated every 5 years.

If you’re 40 or over, you should have a clinical breast exam and a mammogram every 1 to 2 years, if your doctor advises it. Women over the age of 50 should have yearly mammograms.

Any one sexually active or over the age of 18 should have a pap smear to screen for cervical cancer, and a pelvic exam to check the uterus and ovaries. After two normal yearly paps, your doctor may suggest less frequent testing.

Finally, stool blood testing and flexible sigmoidoscopy screen for colon cancer, the third most common cancer in women. Testing should begin at age 50.

If you have risk factors for any of these diseases, your doctor may recommend earlier or more frequent testing.

What about screening for osteoporosis?

Some women are at more risk than others, so screening for osteoporosis should begin with a good history and physical that will identify risk factors. If risk factors are identified, then a bone density scan can help with the diagnosis. All women should speak with their doctors about their risk and how to prevent osteoporosis with calcium, exercise, as well as the medical options that are now available.

RESOURCES:

Personal Health Guide: Put Prevention into Practice
Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
http://www.ahrq.gov/ppip/ppadult.htm

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Department of Health and Humana Services
http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/

May 19
Screening tests and physical exams
	You’ve heard the adage an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In terms of your health, you want to try to prevent or stop diseases that you’re most at risk for. Screening tests and physical exams do just that; they identify risk factors or disease early enough so that they can be treated effectively. A good screening test should be sensitive enough to identify a problem early enough for it to be treated. At the same time it should also be specific to the disease that’s being looked for so that unnecessary tests looking for other problems are avoided. It should also be easily available and acceptable to most people; otherwise, no one would want to be screened. Luckily we have a number of good screening tests for some of the conditions that put women at most risk. The most common cause of death in women overall is heart disease. Screening for high cholesterol, a risk factor for heart disease, should begin at age 45 and be repeated every 5 years. If you’re 40 or over, you should have a clinical breast exam and a mammogram every 1 to 2 years, if your doctor advises it. Women over the age of 50 should have yearly mammograms. Any one sexually active or over the age of 18 should have a pap smear to screen for cervical cancer, and a pelvic exam to check the uterus and ovaries. After two normal yearly paps, your doctor may suggest less frequent testing. Finally, stool blood testing and flexible sigmoidoscopy screen for colon cancer, the third most common cancer in women. Testing should begin at age 50. If you have risk factors for any of these diseases, your doctor may recommend earlier or more frequent testing.

	What about screening for osteoporosis? Some women are at more risk than others, so screening for osteoporosis should begin with a good history and physical that will identify risk factors. If risk factors are identified, then a bone density scan can help with the diagnosis. All women should speak with their doctors about their risk and how to prevent osteoporosis with calcium, exercise, as well as the medical options that are now available.
	RESOURCES: Personal Health Guide: Put Prevention into Practice Agency for Health Care Policy and Research http://www.ahrq.gov/ppip/ppadult.htm Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Department of Health and Humana Services http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/