Many people take a bit of a blasé approach to their health, skipping medical appointments they’ve been told to attend by their doctor or health professional. In general, this isn’t a good idea. When you start skipping appointments, you’re putting yourself at elevated risk.
In this post, we take a look at some of the medical appointments that you absolutely should never skip, no matter what happens.
Cardiovascular screening
With most of the limelight going to diseases like cancer, cardiovascular screening doesn’t get much attention. However, conditions like hypertension, which is high blood pressure, need to be treated early on to reduce risks later in life. High blood pressure isn’t usually something you can feel, and ideally, it should be below 120 over 80 mm Hg at the same time.
You should also get a lipid panel to measure your cholesterol levels. Lipid panels tell you how many of each type of fat is in your blood. Ideally, you want your LDL cholesterol to be as low as possible and to keep it low throughout adult life by eating the right types of food.
Audiology and hearing tests
You also want to avoid missing any audiology or hearing tests. Many people go for years without getting the hearing aids they need to prevent conditions like tinnitus, according to experts like Medico Audiology.
Hearing tests are something you should do every 3 to 4 years if you are under the age of 40, and then more regularly after the age of 40, especially if you have a history of hearing loss.
Bone density tests
You should also explore whether you need bone density tests, often called DEXA scans. These are X-rays that screen for osteoporosis and are recommended for women over 65 and men over 70. You should pay particular attention to bone density tests if you are already at a high risk for fractures. Check with your doctor to see what they recommend.
Skin cancer screening
Skin cancer is one of the fastest-growing types of cancer in the world right now, thanks to a legacy of unprotected sun and UV exposure. The best type of skin cancer screening is done manually by dermatologists, who perform a full-body scan, especially if you have a history of sun exposure. They focus on areas with problematic dark spots and moles that may have changed their appearance.
Breast cancer screening
Breast cancer screening is highly advertised and popularised, but most health organisations recommend that women begin mammograms between the ages of 40 and 50, or perhaps earlier if they have a specific risk profile for the disease. Mammograms are specialised scans that look for lumps and bumps in breast tissue that could later become cancerous. Catching them early reduces risks substantially and increases the likelihood of effective treatment.
Colorectal cancer screening
Finally, don’t skip your colorectal cancer screening appointment. Average-risk adults should go for screening regularly after the age of 45, which was recently lowered from age 55 due to the increasing prevalence of this condition among young people.
collaborative post