Preventative healthcare remains the single best way to maximize your chances of living a long and healthy life. Preventative healthcare is essentially about taking prudent measures even before the subtlest manifestations of a health problem. The objective of preventative healthcare is straightforward, and that is to protect and maintain your health and overall well-being so as to prevent health conditions and consequently reduce the risk of disability and death.
In addition to eating healthy, engaging in regular physical activity, and effective stress management, getting routine check-ups and screening tests is highly encouraged because these enable healthcare providers to mitigate risks way before the onset of symptoms.
Screening tests, in particular, are highly instrumental in detecting potential problems in people who do not have any symptoms of disease but have strong risk factors. Although screening tests are not a hundred percent accurate in all cases, it usually helps to have them than not at all.
If you’re contemplating getting screening tests, make sure to talk to your doctor about the appropriate timing and frequency based on your age, medical history, and overall health. The type of screening test you need will depend on what your doctor identifies you’re at risk of.
Here is an outline of some of the most commonly performed screening tests
Pap Smear
Typically done in conjunction with a pelvic exam, a Pap smear is carried out to screen for cervical cancer. Pap tests are recommended every 3 years for women 21 to 65 years of age.
Colonoscopy
This is performed to screen for colon cancer or polyps. Colonoscopy is recommended for people aged 50 and over, or earlier if you have strong risk factors.
Mammograms
These screens for breast cancer. Mammograms are typically recommended every 1 to 2 years for women aged 50 and over (along with a clinical breast exam), or for younger women with strong risk factors. 3D mammograms are particularly useful for detecting abnormalities in women with dense breast tissue.
DEXA Bone Density Scan
A DEXA bone density scan is the gold standard for detecting osteopenia (a condition in which you have a lower-than-normal bone density) and osteoporosis (bone loss). It is recommended for women over 65 years of age, men over 70, or anyone at high risk of developing osteoporosis (e.g., postmenopausal women).
Preventative Health Screening in Bronx, NY
For first-rate preventative healthcare services in Bronx, New York, visit us at Starling Diagnostics. We offer a wide range of women’s healthcare and diagnostic imaging services, including 3D mammograms, DEXA bone density scans, digital X-ray, 3T MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasound. We have board-certified radiologists on staff who are all dedicated to delivering the best patient experience.
To find out more about our preventative healthcare services or to schedule an appointment for a screening test, call us at (718) 319-1610, or use our convenient, secure online request form.
