Regular health checks can help to identify early warning signs of disease or illness. Heart disease, diabetes and some cancers can often be picked up in their early stages, when treatment may be more successful.

When you have a med upical check, your doctor will usually talk to you about:

➡️your medical history

➡️employment (to determine possible impact on your health)

➡️your family’s history of disease such a heart, diabetes, stroke.

➡️lifestyle generally (including your diet, weight, how much you exercise)

➡️whether or not you smoke and drink alcohol or take illegal drugs

Regular checks may help your doctor pick up early warning signs. If you have a family history or high risk for other reasons of a particular health condition, your doctor may recommend more frequent health checks at an earlier age.

These are some common tests, but your doctor may recommend others according to your situation.

SUMMARY OF HEALTH CHECKS OFTEN SUGGESTED BY YOUR DOCTOR:

1. 1. HEART CHECKS

Blood pressure

Your blood pressure is usually checked every 2 years if it is normal, you are aged under 40 years, and there is no family history of high blood pressure.

Have it checked yearly or more regularly if you are over 40, your blood pressure is on the high side, or you have a personal or family history of high blood pressure, stroke or heart attack. Be advised by your doctor.

Blood tests

They will check your cholesterol levels and blood triglycerides, iron levels, and thyroid among other things. High levels may indicate an increased risk of various health problems, including heart disease.

If you are over 45, the doctor is likely to suggest blood tests about once every 5 years. If you are at high risk of heart disease and have a family history, you should be tested every year from the age of 40.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)– this is a non-invasive and painless medical test that detects cardiac (heart) abnormalities by measuring the electrical activity generated by the heart as it contracts.

Obesity tests – being overweight is a significant risk factor for many health conditions, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Ask your doctor to check your body mass index (BMI)and waist measurement every 2 years. If you are at a higher risk, you should have your weight checked more frequently.

Anyone 45 years and over, or 30 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, should have a regular heart health check with their doctor. A heart health check is a 20-minute check-up with your GP to assess your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Heart health checks are covered by Medicare and are free at practices that bulk bill this service.

2. 2. DIABETES TESTS

This is a serious condition where glucose (sugar) in the blood becomes higher than normal. People with diabetes can have difficulty changing glucose into energy which leads to higher levels of sugar in the blood (hyperglycaemia). Your blood glucose levels are normally controlled by a hormone called insulin. Diabetes happens when your

pancreas can’t produce enough insulin or when your body can’t use the insulin because it’s resistant to it.

There are several types of diabetes:

🚩type 1 diabetes

🚩type 2 diabetes

🚩gestational diabetes, which happens when a woman has high blood glucose levels during

pregnancy pre-diabetes, where your blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes

What are the most common symptoms of diabetes?

⏹️Being very thirsty or hungry

⏹️passing more urine (wee) than usual

⏹️feeling tired
⏹️unexplained weight loss (for type 1 diabetes), or gradual weight gain (for type 2 diabetes)having cuts that heal slowly

⏹️itchy skin or skin infections

⏹️blurred vision

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/symptom-checker

Type 1 diabetes is usually spotted quickly as symptoms can appear suddenly.

Many people with type 2 diabetes don’t have any symptoms at all or have signs that go unnoticed for a long time.

TESTING FOR DIABETES

Tests for diabetes include a laboratory blood glucose test ordered by your doctor (not using a home blood glucose meter). The most common test is the fasting blood glucose test (no food or fluid except water for eight hours before). Others include a test taken anytime during the day with no preparation, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) test, or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT).

Talk to your doctor about having your risk of diabetes assessed and how often you should be tested.

Your risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the next 5 years can be assessed by completing the Australian type 2 diabetes risk assessment tool (AUSDRISK), a short list of questions.

You can complete AUSDRISK by yourself, or with the help of a health professional or practice nurse to assess the risk of a person developing type 2 diabetes over the next 5 years.

You can complete the tool in 1 of 3 ways:

• -using the online interactive version

-using the online non-interactive version
-downloading the PDF version

-and completing it on paper.

If you get a 'high' score on AUSDRISK, you are eligible to attend a type 2 diabetes risk evaluation by your GP if you are aged:

40 to 49 years (inclusive)15 to 54 years (inclusive) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

.https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/the-australian-type-2-diabetes-risk-assessment-tool-ausdrisk

Risk Factors for Getting Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes risk factors including - you have pre-diabetes, a family history of diabetes (for example, if you have a first-degree relative with type 2 diabetes) and/or are over 55 years. The risk increases with age, are over 45 years and overweight and obese or have high blood pressure are over 35 years and from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background, or from a Pacific Island, Indian subcontinent or Chinese cultural background, had gestational diabetes during a pregnancy, have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)have cardiovascular disease such as past history of heart attack, angina, stroke or narrowed blood vessels taking certain antipsychotic medication or corticosteroid medication.

Other lifestyle risk factors include:

➡️being overweight or obese, especially around the waist

➡️sedentary lifestyle – having low levels of physical activity, including more than two hours of television watching per day

➡️unhealthy eating habits, such as regularly choosing

➡️high-fat,high-sugar,high-saltorlow-fibre foods

➡️cigarette smoking.

3, BOWEL CANCER CHECKS

Screening for bowel cancer in people aged 45 to 74 who do not have any symptoms, helps to find cancer early. The bowel cancer screening test uses chemicals to check a bowel motion sample for blood, which may be a sign of bowel cancer.

The National Bowel Cancer Screening Program sends free test kits in the mail to people aged 50 to 74, every 2 years (to the address connected to your medicare card)

If you are between the age of 45-49, you can also request your first free bowel screening kit to be mailed to you. If you have a family history of bowel cancer, please talk to your doctor about what screening options are right for you. People at high risk of bowel cancer may need a colonscopy more regularly. During this test, the doctor inserts a slender instrument called a colonoscope through the anus to visually check the rectum and large bowel for any abnormalities.

4. 4. EYE CHECKS FOR VISION AND EYE HEALTH

Eyesight tends to deteriorate with age. Serious eye concerns can include cataracts, skin cancer on the eye, cataracts, mascular degeneration,

diabetic retinopathy.

People older than 65 years should have an annual examination, however, more frequent testing may be recommended for those with certain risk factors, such as:

a family history of eye disease,

a personal history of eye disease or injury,

certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes,

taking certain medications.

If you already wear prescription glasses or contact lenses, you should have your eyes tested every year. Adults who do not wear prescription glasses or contact lenses should have an eye test every 2 years.

5. STI'S Sexually transmissible infections (STI) screening

If you are sexually active, you should get tested for chlamydia every year between the ages of 15 and 29, using a simple urine test. Chlamydia is very

common and does not always show symptoms.

If you are at risk of other sexually transmissible infections such a herpes or HIV/AIDS raise your concerns and ask your doctor about further testing.

6. BONE DENSITY CHECKS - OSTEOPOROSIS

Advancing age is a significant risk factor for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease characterised by low bone density and the weakening of the building blocks

that make up your bones.

People living with osteoporosis have porous, fragile bones, which can lead to an increased risk of fractures (broken bones).

If you have higher-than-average risk factors for osteoporosis your doctor might refer you for a bone density scan.

Bone density scans are widely accessible, painless, are often covered by Medicare and involve minimal levels of radiation.

What is a bone density scan?

A bone density scan is a medical test used to help diagnose osteoporosis and are also used to help see whether your risk of developing osteoporosis in the future is

higher than average. As a result, people living with osteoporosis have porous, fragile bones, leading to an increased risk of bone

A bone density scan is also known as a bone density test, a bone mineral density test or by its medical name, a DXA test.

How does a bone density scan measure my bone strength?

A bone density scan is done using a special type of x-ray called a dual energy x-ray (DXA). The DXA measures bone mineral density. The scan gives you and

your doctors information about your bone strength or fragility (weakness), and your risk of fractures. In general, the lower your bone density, the higher your

risk of having broken bones in the future.

Do I need a bone density scan?

If you are at risk of getting osteoporosis, your doctor will refer you for a bone density scan.

People with an average risk of getting osteoporosis include:

post-menopausal

females aged 45 years and and males over 50 years

People with a high risk of osteoporosis include males over the age of 60 years and females over the age of 50 years who also:

have a family history of a fragility fractures

smoke or have a high alcohol intake

have vitamin D deficiency

have low body weight

have recurrent falls

are immobile (cannot walk or do housework without help) or have low levels of physical activity.

Some medical conditions can also put you at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis. If you have one of these conditions, your doctor may refer you for a bone density scan.

Health conditions include:

endocrine (hormone) disorders

early menopause

anorexia nervosa

inflammatory conditions and conditions causing malabsorption(problems in your digestive tract or gut)

chronic kidney or liver disease

diabetes

HIV

Taking certain medicines can also increase your risk of osteoporosis, so if you take one of the following medicines, your doctor may refer you for a bone density scan to check your bone health.

Your doctor will review all factors and assess your overall fracture risk. If you have already had a fracture, and based on your other risk factors, your doctor will work out if your risk of more fractures is higher than average. If you are, you will most likely be referred for a bone density scan.

For example, if you are over 45 years of age, and have broken a bone after a minor fall or incident (known as a ‘low-trauma fracture’), if you are a female who has gone through

menopause or if you are an older male who has had a vertebral fracture (a break to one of the bones in your spine), you will likely need a bone density scan.

6. Breast cancer screening - 1-7 Australian women - are you eligible and been to have your breast screen? BOOK IN! Even if you are not eligible, GO SEE THE DR!

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting Australian women. It can occur at any age, but it is more common in women over 60.

Watch the important Utube video - "listen to your body- make the effort to book in and have a scan to look after your body." It's the ultimate act of self care!

Breast screening (also known as mammogram) is one of the best ways to detect breast cancer early. If breast cancer is found early, it is more likely to be successfully treated and improve your chance of surviving it.

BreastScreen Australia invites women aged 50 to 74 for free mammograms every 2 years.

If you are in your 40s or over 75, discuss the risks and benefits of screening with your doctor. Women under 40 are not eligible for the screening program but can have a mammogram done with a GP's referral at any age.

It is important that at any age, if you notice any breast symptoms or a change in the look and feel of your breast to see your doctor without delay.

7. Cervical screening test

Having regular cervical screening tests can help prevent cervical cancers through early detection and treatment.

Cervical cancer screening is recommended every 5 years for women and people with a cervix who are aged 25 to 74 years and have ever been sexually active.

The cervical screening test (which replaced the pap test) checks for the presence of the human papilloma virus

– a virus that can cause cervical cancer.

Even if you have been vaccinated against HPV, regular cervical screening is still important as the vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV infection.

Screening is available for eligible people through the National Cervical Screening Program.

You can usually collect your own vaginal sample if they choose, this is called self-collection. Self-collection is a safe and effective method of testing.

8. Pregnancy

You should have a general check-up before becoming pregnant to discuss any health risks during pregnancy. Once you are pregnant, regular antenatal checks help monitor your baby’s development, pick up abnormalities and assess your health.

Tests related to pregnancy may include ultrasound scans, urine tests, blood tests and genetic testing.

Some antenatal tests are recommended for all pregnant women, while others are only necessary for women at increased risk of complications.

Be advised by your doctor.