Healthy living 101: health screenings everyone should do at every age

The following article was published by Honeycombers, in partnership with StarMed Specialist Centre.

Clueless about health screenings? We’re here to help. These are the essential check-ups you need at different stages of life.

Eating well and exercising often aren’t the only steps to take for a healthy lifestyle. One crucial thing that often gets overlooked? Frequent health screenings. If you can’t remember the last time you went for one, here’s the lowdown on the key screenings to go for at every age.

20 – 35 years: Set the foundation

It’s time to get familiar with the numbers that matter. We’re talking about annual blood pressure and Body Mass Index (BMI) checks to help you track your cardiovascular health and weight management.

For sexually active individuals, be sure to screen for sexually transmitted diseases annually to have peace of mind. And ladies, prioritise your reproductive health with cervical smears every three to five years to detect any abnormalities early.

35 – 50 years: Focus on prevention

As you age, it’s key to keep a closer watch on your cardiovascular health. Regular monitoring of blood pressure, BMI, lipids, and glucose levels aids in the detection, management and prevention of chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes.

For women above the age of 40, ensure that you do annual mammograms on top of regular cervical smears. Mammograms are essential for early detection of breast cancer, which means higher survival rates.

Above 50 years: Stay in the pink of health

To ensure that you can enjoy your golden years in the best shape possible, carry on with annual blood pressure, BMI, lipids, and glucose level checks to proactively manage and prevent chronic diseases. Breast cancer screenings should also continue.

On top of all this, it’s time to start annual colon cancer screenings – annual faecal occult blood tests or decennial colonoscopies are the first line of defence against colorectal cancer.

Get started with tailored health screening packages

Healthcare isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither are health screenings. At HMI Medical Centre, enjoy tailored health packages with essential screenings included, plus the flexibility to add diagnostic tests that suit your unique health needs.