For many of us and our families, health complications often come as a surprise. Being unprepared to manage your health can make an easily treatable concern much more difficult to treat. Screening tests are designed to catch chronic health conditions before any symptoms become noticeable. Screenings are given to people who are generally healthy and can cover a variety of issues. Your doctor will ask for information on family history and perform a physical exam; this will allow them to look for any physical signs of illness and determine if you are more susceptible to any health conditions due to family history. The most common screenings check for conditions such as diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases, heart disease, osteoporosis, obesity, depression, pregnancy issues and even cancer. Depending on what you doctor is screening for, you might be asked to provide blood or urine samples that will be sent off to a lab or you might be asked to schedule some imaging procedures.
Are screenings really that important?
Screenings are extremely beneficial. Some cancers never cause symptoms or become life threatening, but can be found and promptly treated thanks to a screening test. Cancer treatments can have harsh, long lasting side effects that can be diminished with early treatment. Screenings can be even more important if you are unsure of you family’s medical history. Because you are so much more likely to be diagnosed with certain conditions, like heart disease or stroke if you have a relative who has been diagnosed a screening would be needed. The majority of screenings have been shown to lengthen overall life expectancy.
To speak with a provider about which screenings you might need or to make an appointment at Rodgers Health call 816-307-0152 or request an appointment online!
