Health Checks

Are regular health checks really so important?

Yes, they are: just because you feel healthy doesn’t mean you are. Serious diseases can strike anyone at any age. Recognising diseases early increases the chances for successful treatment.

Unnoticed medical issues can be detected by regular health checks. They can also assess your risk of future medical issues and are great reminders to update your vaccinations.

Recommendations for regular health checks and screenings vary by country, age and gender. So the following are just general guidelines.

 

Skin cancer

  • Start checking your skin yourself regularly for changes in moles or freckles. Arrange for a check-up at your doctor if you notice any changes.
  • Checks at your doctor are recommended from age 35 every two years.

 

Cardio-Vascular Disease (Heart Disease) & Diabetes

  • If you have no personal or family history of high blood pressure, stroke or heart attack, start checking your blood pressure regularly when you’re older than 40.
  • Start checking your cholesterol and triglycerides and your blood sugar levels once you’re over 45 years.
  • If you have a family history of increased blood cholesterol or triglycerides levels, stroke or heart attack, you should be tested every year from the age of 40.

 

Colon cancer/bowel cancer

  • Testing faeces for occult (non-visible) blood is recommended from age 50 as part of colorectal cancer prevention.
  • In a second step, a coloscopy, also called colonoscopy, is recommended from age 55.

 

Breast cancer

  • All adult women are recommend to perform a breast self-exam at least once a month.
  • A mammogram is recommended for women from age 50 (every two years).

 

Prostate cancer

  • A prostate exam, genital and rectal exam of the lymph nodes are recommended for men from 45 years.

 

Eye conditions

  • The risk for glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration increases with age.
  • Therefore people older than 65 years should have an annual eye examination.

 

And don’t forget to regularly see your dentist, too. One annual visit is usually recommended.

Posted on June 20, 2019 by Luitgard Holzleg

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