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Screenings
Getting older doesn't have to go hand in hand with health problems. In fact, there are many things you can do to help you live a longer, healthier life. Below we've identified some important screenings you should have on a regular basis to make sure your body is running at its top performance. Annual Physical Exam Meeting with your physician once a year allows us to flag any potential health issues that could develop into more serious conditions. Your physician may check your blood pressure, do a simple blood test to screen for risk factors like high blood sugar and high cholesterol, and check your vision or hearing at this visit. If anything shows up abnormal, changes to your diet, exercise levels or, when necessary, medication may be prescribed to help manage or maintain healthy levels. Bone Mass Screenings While osteoporosis is more common in women, men can also experience bone loss. In fact, after age 65, the risk for men and women developing osteoporosis surprisingly equals out. A simple bone density test, where we take an image of the hip or heel to measure its density, can quickly assess your risk for this disease and allow us to take measures to help prevent it developing or getting worse. Colorectal Screenings Starting at age 50, men and women should have a colonoscopy to detect polyps or early stages of cancer. This should be done at least every 10 years. If you have a family history of colon cancer, then you should be tested more frequently. We also recommend you perform a yearly fecal occult blood test. These are tests done at home and can be purchased at the Pharmacy. You may also obtain a take-home testing kit by contacting our Community Education department at (765) 983-3094. Breast & Cervical Cancer Screenings Women age 40 and above should have a yearly mammogram to detect for any signs of breast cancer. The Reid Breast Center is equipped with digital mammography, the very latest in screening technology and found in only eight percent of mammography facilities in the United States. Digital mammograms provide you with faster results and the ability to zoom in or sharpen specific areas for a more detailed look. Digital mammograms have also been proven to be significantly better than film-screen technology in detecting cancers in women with dense breast tissue. Since the data is stored directly in the computer, your doctors can easily share your images and consult with other physicians, and it's less likely that you'll have to come back for a second test. Schedule one today by calling (765) 983-3358. Cervical cancer screenings should also be performed on a schedule your doctor recommends. Prostate Cancer Screenings Beginning at age 50, every man should have a digital rectal exam (DRE) along with a PSA blood test. This will detect any abnormalities or elevations. These tests should be performed yearly. Call your doctor to schedule these tests. |
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