Doctor recommended health screenings for adults to take at various stages in life
Taking care of our body’s health is one of the important elements for us to live a long and worry-free life. While we all know this at the back of our minds, only a few of us do the necessary steps to act on it. When was the last time that you visited your GP’s clinic to get a thorough physical checkup? If you no longer remember, then it’s time you start now. Read this article and know more about health screening packages in Singapore recommended for various stages in life.
What exactly are health screenings?
Health screenings are medical procedures or tests that are used by doctors to check possible conditions and diseases that may arise prior to development of any symptoms. Screenings can help in diagnosing and treating problems at an earlier stage, which increases the chances of curing a disease.
What are the recommended health screenings that adults should take?
There are many health screenings available and you do not need to take everything all at the same time. A doctor can recommend which health screening you should take based on the following criteria:
- Age
- Gender
- Family medical history
Below are the recommended health screenings recommended for adults at various stages in life:
| Age | Men | Women |
| 18 – 39 | Annually
• Blood pressure • Height • Weight • Cholesterol check – Complete in your 20s – Annual check by age 35 or every 5 years if normal • Skin exam • Testicular exam
Every 1 – 2 years • Eye exam
Every 10 years • Hearing test |
Annually
• Blood pressure • Breast exam • Height • Weight • Cholesterol check – Complete in your 20s – Annual check by age 35 or every 5 years if results are normal • Pap Smear – Every 3 years • Pelvic exam • Physical breast exam • Skin exam • Testicular exam
Every 1 – 2 years • Eye exam
Every 10 years • Hearing test |
| 40 – 64 | Annually
• Blood pressure • Height • Weight • Cholesterol check – Annual check or every 5 years if normal • Skin exam • Testicular exam – Completed every 3 years by age 60
Every 1 – 2 years • Eye exam • Colonoscopy – Completed 10 years earlier than the age of a family member with history of colon cancer – Completed by age 45 if without family medical history of colon cancer – Completed every 10 years if results are normal • Prostate exam – If risk of developing prostate cancer is high
Every 3 years • Hearing test – Completed every 3 years by age 60
Every 5 years • Blood glucose test • Colorectal screening
|
Annually
• Blood pressure • Height • Weight • Cholesterol check – Annual check or every 5 years if normal • Coronary screening • Faecal occult blood test – Annual check by age 50 • Pap Smear – Every 3 years • Pelvic exam • Physical breast exam • Mammogram • Skin exam
Every 1 – 2 years • Eye exam • Colonoscopy – Completed 10 years earlier than the age of a family member with history of colon cancer – Completed by age 45 if without family medical history of colon cancer – Completed every 10 years if results are normal • Thyroid stimulating hormone test
Every 3 years • Bone density screening • Ovarian screening
Every 5 years • Blood glucose test • Colorectal screening
Every 10 years • Hearing test |
| 65 and above | ||
| Annually
• Blood pressure • Height • Weight • Cholesterol check – Annual check or every 5 years if normal • Skin exam • Testicular exam – Completed every 3 years by age 60
Every 1 – 2 years • Eye exam • Colonoscopy – Completed 10 years earlier than the age of a family member with history of colon cancer – Completed by age 45 if without family medical history of colon cancer – Completed every 10 years if results are normal • Prostate exam – If risk of developing prostate cancer is high
Every 3 years • Hearing test – Completed every 3 years by age 60
Every 5 years • Blood glucose test • Colorectal screening
Vaccinations: • Pneumococcal • Shingles |
Annually
• Blood pressure • Height • Weight • Cholesterol check – Annual check or every 5 years if normal • Coronary screening • Faecal occult blood test – Annual check by age 50 • Pap Smear – Every 3 years • Pelvic exam • Physical breast exam • Mammogram • Skin exam
Every 1 – 2 years • Eye exam • Colonoscopy – Completed 10 years earlier than the age of a family member with history of colon cancer – Completed by age 45 if without family medical history of colon cancer – Completed every 10 years if results are normal • Thyroid stimulating hormone test
Every 3 years • Bone density screening • Ovarian screening
Every 5 years • Blood glucose test • Colorectal screening
Every 10 years • Hearing test
Vaccinations: • Pneumococcal • Shingles |
Aside from these general health screenings, there are also other screenings recommended for adults who are sexually active. Sexual health screenings are important to make sure that you are protected from diseases that are transmitted through sexual contact. In Singapore, many clinics provide STD testing anonymously and at an affordable cost. The list below shows the sexual health screenings recommendations for STD.
Chlamydia and gonorrhoea
- Annual checks should be done for:
- All sexually active women
- Every 3 to 6 months
- All sexually active gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with other men who have multiple partners
- Pregnant women should get tested at the start of their pregnancy
Hepatitis B
- Pregnant women should get tested at the start of their pregnancy
Hepatitis C
- Annual checks should be done for:
- All sexually active gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with other men who have multiple partners, if living or diagnosed with HIV
- Pregnant women should get tested at the start of their pregnancy
HIV tests
- Annual checks should be done for:
- Individuals who engage in sexual activities that can place them at high risk of getting an infection
- Individuals who share injections for drug use
- Every 3 to 6 months
- All sexually active gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with other men who have multiple partners
- Should be done by adolescents and adults at least once during this period
- Pregnant women should get tested at the start of their pregnancy
HPV, Cervical Cancer, Anal Cancer
- Annual checks or as recommended by doctor should be done for
- Individuals who engage in sexual activities that can place them at high risk of getting an infection or developing the disease
- Persons with HIV
- Every 3 years
- Women aged 21 – 29 years with cytology
- Women aged 30 – 65 with cytology
- Pregnant women should get tested at the start of their pregnancy
Note that these are just some examples of health screenings and there are many more specific to different conditions and diseases that are not included. Consult with your doctor to have an accurate recommendation that would be beneficial for your health.
Artisan Health Clinic
Paragon
290 Orchard Road #07-01,
Paragon Medical Suites,
Singapore 238859
https://www.artisanhealthclinic.sg/
Phone / Whatsapp
(65) 8129 8877
