Six essential health screening tests for women

When doing blood screening, ensure that the tests for common NCDs like heart disease and diabetes, are all included. — Photos: Filepic

Amidst our busy day-to-day schedule and commitments, we tend to overlook an important priority: our health.

As our task list gets longer each day, health tends to get pushed down the list.

Women are a great asset to our country’s growth and in our work force.

However, with busy schedules, a woman’s own health tends to be the last concern in her mind.

Health screening empowers a woman and helps build her confidence for a brighter future.

Here are six important health screening tests that a woman should do yearly.

1. Blood pressure and BMI monitoring

These are the simplest health screening tests that can even be done at home by most women.

If you are at high risk of developing hypertension (high blood pressure), you can measure your own blood pressure at home regularly with a blood pressure monitor, which can be easily purchased at a pharmacy or online.

Seek medical help if your blood pressure is more than 140/90mmHg on more than two separate occasions.

Meanwhile, body mass index (BMI) is measured using your weight and height.

The formula for BMI is your weight in kilogrammes divided by your height in metres squared, i.e. kg/m2.

A BMI of 23 and over is considered overweight for Asians.

2. General blood screening

Blood screening tests are by far the most common health screening tests.

There are numerous blood screening packages available in clinics and hospitals, as well as by various independent laboratories.

This poses a real problem to consumers as they might be wondering how many tests they actually need to do.

Many wonder if doing more tests would be better.

There are two sides to this debate.

The more comprehensive the tests are, the higher the likelihood in picking up early abnormalities and enabling early interventions to be started.

However, every test done has its own false positivity rate, i.e. when the test shows an abnormal result when there is no actual problem.

This false-positive result can start a cascade of unnecessary further tests to pinpoint the non-existent problem.

Needless to say, it can also cause a good amount of mental stress to the person involved.

My recommendation is to get a general blood screening package that encompasses the indicators for important and common non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as haemoglobin level, kidney function, liver function, cholesterol level and fasting blood sugar.

Additional blood screening tests can be done based on your own risk factors for certain diseases, which your family doctor can advise you on.

Ultrasound screening need not be limited to just pregnant women, it can also be used to pick up structural abnormalities in a woman's reproductive system. — AFP

3. Breast cancer screening

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women globally.

Breast cancer screening actually starts at home with breast self-examination, which you can begin as early as 18 years of age.

After reaching the age of 40, a breast mammogram is recommended once every one to two years.

Breast ultrasound and breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) are other methods available for breast screening, each with its own inherent advantages and disadvantages.

The screening method and interval is also dependent on your own risk factors for developing breast cancer.

Speak to your doctor regarding the appropriate breast screening method and interval for your own self.

4. Cervical screening and HPV testing

Cervical screening, more commonly known as a pap smear, is a simple test to look for any abnormalities affecting your cervix (neck of womb), which may predispose or increase your likelihood of developing cervical cancer.

This is a very simple test that can be done any time during your menstrual cycle, except during the bleeding phase.

The test is recommended for women between the ages of 21 and 65 years old, who are sexually active.

If the result is normal, then you can repeat the test annually for the first two years, then once every three years thereafter.

However, if the results turn out to be abnormal, do not worry because most abnormalities are transient and can be treated completely.

Consult a gynaecologist if your pap smear test is abnormal.

In recent years, testing for the human papillomavirus (HPV) has been combined with a cervical screening test.

In fact, HPV testing is done from the same sample taken for the cervical screening.

If you test positive for the high-risk strains of HPV, it does not automatically mean that you will develop cervical cancer.

It just means that you should strictly adhere to the cervical screening test schedule.

Your doctor will thoroughly investigate any abnormalities found during those screenings and inform you about the next course of action.

In summary, every woman above the age of 20, who is sexually active, should do a cervical smear screening, with or without the additional HPV screening.

For older women, a BMD test to check for osteoporosis is an important screening test that is often forgotten.

5. Gynaecology ultrasound scan

During your clinic visit for cervical screening, you can also get a pelvic ultrasound scan done at the same setting.

This scan is done either abdominally or through the vagina (transvaginal).

The pelvic scan aims to look for structural abnormalities in a woman’s pelvis, such as a uterine fibroid or an ovarian cyst.

Most uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts are asymptomatic, which means that they do not pose any problem at all to a woman and are only found during a routine screening.

The treatment options for uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts range from doing nothing, with only regular monitoring via repeat pelvic ultrasound scans, to either medical or surgical treatment.

The treatment choice will depend on the location, size and symptoms, if any, due to the fibroid or cyst.

Common symptoms are pelvic pain, urinary frequency (passing urine more frequently than usual), heavy and irregular menses, and a feeling of fullness in the pelvis.

Your gynaecologist will discuss the most suitable intervention required based on the assessment.

6. Bone mass density

Bone mass density or bone mineral density (BMD) screening is important for older women, especially after menopause.

In view of the significant decline in the level of female hormones during this period of life, women will begin to lose their bone density.

A central DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan is a common test used for bone health.

It is like an X-ray for your bones, and is commonly targeted at the spine, hips, and sometimes, forearms.

The BMD test is important for younger women if they are on long-term steroid medications and exhibit signs of loss of height, have suffered a fracture, or are going through cancer treatments that significantly reduce the level of their oestrogen hormones.

These are the six most important health screening tests that a woman needs.

However busy your life is, take a moment to look after yourself too.

Take a look at your task list and shift health screening to top of the list today.

Dr Agilan Arjunan is an obstetrician and gynaecologist, and fertility specialist. For more information, email [e-mail]. The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.