Even though it might not feel like it, a year is a long time, and a lot can happen within that time frame. In a year, you can advance your career, learn a new skill, relocate to another city, or get a new job. Your body can also change during that time; you can grow stronger or weaker depending on your lifestyle.
That’s why it’s important to get comprehensive check-ups at least once every year. The older you get, the more you should be wary of your health because it can be difficult to bounce back from a serious health condition. So, if you have the means to do preventive healthcare, you shouldn’t hesitate to do it even when it’s not warranted.
The main reason why people do preventive healthcare is to prevent any symptoms from getting worse and developing into a health condition. By taking the right tests every year, your doctors will be able to catch any indications that you’re at risk for an illness and prescribe the correct treatments to solve them.
If you have no idea what kind of medical tests you should take at least once a year, you’ve come to the right place. It’s always difficult to start enforcing a habit if you don’t know where to begin, so hopefully, this guide can help you through the process. Here are some tests that you should be taking regularly:
For All Genders
Most health conditions can affect people of all ages and genders, which can include anything from refractive errors to chronic illnesses, or even allergies. These are some conditions that can be prevented from worsening if they can be diagnosed and treated early, as compared to if they are to be left unaddressed. Here are some tests that should be regularly taken by all genders:
- Eye Exams — many people no longer have 20-20 vision, particularly because of lifestyle habits. After all, a lot of people are spending the majority of their days facing computers and their phones, so, unsurprisingly, a large population of the world is dealing with refractive errors. If you’re among them, make sure to get an eye exam at least once a year.
- Allergy Testing — not all allergies are inborn; some can be developed as people grow older. That’s why you can never be too sure when it comes to the food you eat, especially because there are cases when people who weren’t allergic to a certain food before became allergic to it out of the blue. If you suspect that you’re developing an allergy, it might be best to get privately tested for any food allergies to receive the right treatment.
For Females
While most people are susceptible to a lot of health conditions, some cases are usually limited to the female population, such as cervical and breast cancer; although there are rare instances where breast cancer is also found in men. These are some tests that you’ll need to take if you’re biologically female:
- Pap Smear Test — since cervical cancer doesn’t show obvious symptoms until its later stages, taking a pap smear test is important to catch the precancerous changes in a woman’s body. It’s recommended to women aged 21 and above who are sexually active. It’s often done alongside the human papillomavirus or HPV test.
- Mammograms — a mammography exam can screen any signs of early breast cancers, which is why it’s recommended to be done regularly beginning at age 40. However, for those with a family history of having breast cancer or BRCA gene, it might be best to start receiving the tests earlier to catch any signs of the illness.
For Males
Much like how some health conditions are limited to the female population, there are also illnesses limited to men. This can include prostate and testicular cancer, to name a few. Here are some tests that you might need to take if you’re biologically male:
- Testicular Screening — since you probably know your body more than anyone else, it would be best to give yourself monthly exams to see if there is a growth in your testicles. But you can also approach a doctor for a proper screening if you suspect any lumps, changes in size, or feeling tenderness in your genitals.
- Prostate Exam — prostate cancer usually develops with old age, which is why these exams are often recommended to men aged 50 and above. It’s done through a physical exam wherein the prostate is checked for size and abnormalities.
Your good health is not something that you should take for granted, especially because it won’t always be that way if you don’t take care of yourself. While most people would wait to see signs of an illness or disease before approaching a doctor to get tested, you shouldn’t follow in their footsteps because that may compromise your health. Don’t wait until it’s too late before you seek the help you need.
