6 Essential Lab Tests to Keep Track of Your Health
6 Essential Lab Tests to Keep Track of Your Health
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think about lab tests all that often. There are a few common tests that you should take regularly; tests that can help spot health problems early on and potentially save your life.
So if you haven’t had them done recently, now is a good time to get them scheduled at an urgent care clinic. Here’s a look at some of the most important ones. 6 essential lab tests to keep track of your health.
1. Mammograms
The name is scary, but this test can save lives. It works by creating detailed images of the breast tissue and screening for tumours or other abnormalities.
You should start having one around 40 or 45 (some doctors recommend starting at 35 for those considered high-risk) and continue having them every year until 55. After that, women can undergo a mammogram every two years, although they can still do it annually.
Women should keep in mind, however, that mammograms are different from breast ultrasounds, which use a transducer that beams sound waves to create images of the breast tissue, blood flow, and any tumours. An ultrasound is designed to check for abnormalities or growths in dense tissue, so it’s not recommended as regularly as mammograms.
Mammograms are also not biopsies, which are used to diagnose or monitor cancer after a suspicious area is found.
2. Colonoscopy
This is a painless procedure that can potentially save your life by catching colon cancer early on. The test involves inserting a flexible tube into the rectum to look for polyps or tumours in the large intestine. You are able to get up and walk around right after the procedure, and you shouldn’t experience any discomfort or complications.
The American Cancer Society recommends that people begin screening for colon cancer with a colonoscopy at 50 (and earlier if there is a family history of the disease) and then continue to have them once every 10 years throughout their lifetime. However, if the risk is high, you might need to do it every five years once you turn 60.
3. Bone Density Tests
These tests can be performed on your wrist or heel, and they measure bone loss over time. Women are especially at risk for osteoporosis, so these tests are essential in helping to determine their overall risk of fracture after menopause.
Other groups at high risk include people who have had cancer, anorexia nervosa, extremely low body weight, or long-term use of steroid medications.
During the test, your doctor will place your wrist or heel into a machine that sends out low-level X-rays, and then the results will indicate how strong your bones are. These tests can be done at any age-the the older you are, the more important they become.
4. Heart Checkup
Heart disease is the number-one killer in America, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t prevent it. The key lies in regular checkups to help spot any problems early on.
Your doctor will be able to tell you how often you need these tests based on your initial health assessment, age, diet, family history of heart disease, and other factors. For instance, healthy adults who don’t smoke should usually have their cholesterol checked at least once between 20 and 40 years old and then every five to 10 years after that.
5. Pap Smear
This test, which is typically done every year or two for women of appropriate age (according to the American Cancer Society, it should be every three years from 21 to 56), screens for cervical cancer and other abnormalities of the cervix. The doctor may recommend it when a woman shows signs of having sexually transmitted diseases such as heavy or irregular bleeding.
During this procedure, a doctor uses a special tool called a speculum to hold open the vagina before collecting cells from the cervix. The cells are then examined under a microscope, and it can take several weeks for the results to return.
A doctor sometimes performs a pap smear and an HPV screening, which is used to determine whether the patient has HPV, an infection that can cause cancer.
6. Skin Exam
Skin cancer is tricky because it can be asymptomatic for a long time before being detected-and if left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body.
That’s why it’s important to get regular skin exams if you’re at risk for this type of cancer, which includes people with very fair skin, lots of moles or freckles, a history of sunburns, and excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light-like those who spend a lot of time in tanning beds or outside without sunscreen.
The American Cancer Society recommends that anyone with these risk factors have their skin checked at least once a year by a doctor. During the exam, a doctor will look for irregular moles and growths, which they can remove during an in-office procedure.
Lab tests are an important part of staying healthy. They can help you catch health problems early when they’re easier to treat. By knowing which lab tests you need and when to get them done, you can make sure you stay on top of your health.
