Sometimes making checkup appointments and getting blood drawn doesn’t feel all that important. Health screenings get pushed to the next year or worse, are forgotten entirely. However, getting screenings is one the most essential things both men and women can do for their health because even being active every day and eating a balanced diet aren’t enough to ensure that you are healthy.
Check the lists below to see which screenings at what time you should discuss with your UT Health East Texas physician so you can be proactive about your health.
- Blood Pressure
- Cholesterol
- Type-2 Diabetes
- HIV and STIs
- Skin Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Testicular Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
Men and Women
High Blood Pressure
Developing high blood pressure is very common, affecting one in three Americans. Get blood pressure checked every two years if within the normal range and every year if above normal. (120/80 and 139/89)
Cholesterol
Sunita Karki, APRN, at UT Health East Texas Physicians North Tyler Clinic, gives a breakdown of when you should get tested for high cholesterol. "Start with a screening test at 9-11 years old. And anyone who has risk factors such as family history, obesity, diabetes or high blood pressure should get tested earlier than those without. Men should come in at age 25 and women at 35 if they have risk factors," says Karki.
Sunita sees patients with high cholesterol come into the clinic almost every day. Most don't even know they have it. "If people don't go to the doctor and get tested then they will never know that they have high cholesterol."
Heart Screenings
MyHeart First at UT Health East Texas is seven screenings done in one visit, for one price, that are proven to most accurately detect heart disease and defects. “Doing screening programs like MyHeart First, patients become proactive and show intent of taking care of their own health,” says Dr. Saima Zafar, cardiologist at UT Health East Texas Physicians in Athens. “The information we receive from tests, such as the calcium scoring CT scan, the cholesterol check and other studies, give us a much clearer and objective perspective of future risk of heart disease and how to prevent it.” Getting this clear picture of the heart’s health can help prevent future heart attacks and strokes.
Dr. Zafar recommends that everyone older than 50 take these screenings. This age is a guideline and can be earlier for patients who have a family history of heart disease or have had heart complications earlier in life. All tests are safe and noninvasive.
To schedule an appointment at UT Health Tyler call 903-531-8000 and choose Option 1. For an appointment at UT Health Athens, call 903-676-2169
Type-2 Diabetes
After age 45 adults should get screened every three years. Screenings should be done earlier if you are overweight, have blood pressure 135/80 and higher, have high cholesterol or have a family history of diabetes.
One-third of Americans with diabetes is unaware of their condition and diagnosing and treating diabetes can have a profoundly positive impact on your health.
HIV and STIs
Get tested as long as you are sexually active. Sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, can be present and show no symptoms. If you’ve have unprotected sex, have a new partner or are worried about infection for any other reason, it’s a good idea to get tested.
Don’t be embarrassed — your physicians want to make sure you are healthy.
Skin Cancer
Check your skin often for irregularly-shaped, dark spots. Pay close attention to the face, back and shoulder regions. If you find any concerning marks, make an appointment with a physician. Additionally, have your physician check your skin since it can be hard to easily see your whole body.
Colorectal Cancer
“Many people don’t realize that this second leading cancer is highly preventable,” says Dr. Umair Sohail, gastroenterologist at UT Health. “Few Americans know that colorectal cancer can be prevented, not just detected through colonoscopy.”
“In 2018, the American Cancer Society issued a ‘qualified’ recommendation to begin screening persons at average risk for colorectal cancer at age 45,” says Dr. Sohail. “After your first colonoscopy, the physician may recommend you take another in ten years. There are also other tests you could choose to check for colorectal cancer, including stool-based studies, blood-based and radiological imaging. However, a colonoscopy is highly recommended.”
Lung Cancer
Annual screening for lung cancer with a low-dose CT scan in adults ages 55 to 80 years who have a 30 year smoking history (smoked one pack a day for 30 years, two packs per day for 15 years, etc.) and who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.
Men
Prostate Cancer
It’s important to get tested for prostate cancer because it is one of the most common cancers in men, affecting one in seven.
Age, family history and race are the three big considerations for when you should be screened. Screening for prostate cancer should start at age 55 and be repeated every one to two years. A family history of the condition increases the odds. If your father had prostate cancer, you’re twice as likely to get cancer as the general population. If a brother had/has it, you’re greater than three times as likely to develop prostate cancer. African-Americans are particularly susceptible to developing prostate cancer. This population has a 60 percent higher incidence than Caucasians.
Testicular Cancer
Although testicular cancer is not a common cancer overall, it is the most common for men between 15 and 40 years old.
Risk factors include history of undescended testicle as a child, family history and personal history. Men should perform monthly self-checks in the shower and tell their physician if he notices any new lump or lesion on the testicle.
Women
Breast Cancer
“The most important message I share is that women should have yearly screening mammograms beginning at age 40,” shares Radiologist, Brandon Ashton, MD. “This strategy saves the most lives, and enables us to find cancers at the earliest and most treatable stage.”
Dr. Brandon Ashton specializes in breast imaging at the UT Health East Texas Breast Care Center. Dr. Ashton works with his patients to identify breast cancer and guide treatment.
Cervical Cancer
A pap test should be performed every three years starting at age 21 until age 65.
Any woman who has sex can get cervical cancer, as well as patients with a suppressed immune system. Patients who are HIV positive or have other STDs may be at higher risk.
Just like your car needs annual maintenance and your house needs yearly inspections, your body needs to be checked, too. Make appointments to get screened for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, STIs and any cancers that might be of concern given your age or family history. Taking measures to check in with your health can only benefit you. So, break out the date book and schedule some screenings!
Talk with your physician about any screening questions you may have. Not all screenings are recommended for all individuals. To find a UT Health East Texas physician, call 903-531-8890.