Have you ever had the impression that more than half of the year is almost over after you’ve hardly blinked? The months can sometimes blend into one another due to work demands, social obligations, and family responsibilities, but there should always be one date that we make a commitment to honour. Our health frequently suffers as a result of living our lives at full speed, and it’s simple to overlook the significance of seeing a doctor for a routine checkup. Your body and mind will benefit from a mid-year health check with your health gp.
No matter your age, it’s important for women to have regular check-ups with a women’s health GP to stay on top of their health and catch early signs of illnesses or disorders. It is advised that you obtain a health examination once a year, even if you are symptom-free.
A better lifestyle, early condition detection, and disease prevention all depend on an understanding of the importance of these health examinations. Women should undergo the following essential tests and exams on a regular basis to make sure they are appropriately managing and taking care of their health:
Annual Gynaecologist Exams
A yearly appointment to the gynaecologist is essential for women’s health. In these consultations, medical professionals perform breast exams, pap smears, and pelvic exams. For the detection of breast tumours, cervical abnormalities, and other reproductive health concerns, these examinations are crucial.
These visits also frequently include conversations on menopause management, sexual health, and contraception, enabling women to make health-related decisions.
Bone Density Screening
Women are primarily affected by osteoporosis, a disorder marked by weak or brittle bones, especially after menopause. Bones become weaker, less thick, and more brittle. Osteoporosis risk may rise with menopause.
A bone density scan (DXA), which examines the condition of your bones, may be recommended by your doctor if you are over 70 or at risk for osteoporosis.
Bone density screenings, which are usually carried out with a DXA scan, evaluate bone strength and assist in identifying those who are susceptible to fractures. Early intervention and lifestyle changes can slow the progression of osteoporosis, which highlights the value of routine bone density monitoring, particularly for postmenopausal women.
Evaluations of the Heart
In Australia and around the world, heart disease is the biggest cause of mortality for women, despite the fact that it is frequently thought of as a health problem that mostly affects males. Regular examinations are crucial since you may not be aware that you are developing heart disease.
If you are 45 years of age or older (or in your 30s if you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander ethnicity), you should get a heart health checkup every two years. Your doctor will measure your blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure. In order to determine your risk of heart disease, they will also look at your weight, smoking, alcohol use, food, activity, and medical and family history.
Early detection and prevention of cardiovascular disease depend on routine blood pressure checks, cholesterol screenings, and evaluations of other cardiovascular risk factors.
Women should collaborate closely with their medical professionals to create customised heart-healthy plans that include stress reduction, exercise, and dietary adjustments.
Colonoscopies
The third most frequent cancer to be diagnosed in women is colorectal cancer. 90% of cases can be successfully treated if caught early.
Women between the ages of 50 and 74 are given a free, easy test as part of the Australian National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme. This checks for blood in the stool, which could indicate colon cancer. Samples can be sent off for testing after this procedure is completed at home. After that, results are obtained in two weeks. This test should be performed every two years.
Your doctor might suggest a colonoscopy or another test if the results are positive. For people with a family history of the condition, routine colonoscopies are usually advised beginning at age 50 or earlier. These procedures are essential for identifying precancerous polyps or early-stage cancer.
The risk of colorectal cancer can be considerably decreased with colonoscopies, which detect and remove abnormal growths in the colon.
Mammograms
Breast cancer is one of the most prevailing cancers that affect women globally. It is advised that women over 40 undergo routine mammograms, which are X-ray pictures of the breast tissue, or sooner if breast cancer runs in the family.
Mammograms that uncover problems early greatly improve the likelihood of survival and effective treatment. Women are advised to talk to their healthcare providers about the frequency of mammograms in light of their unique risk factors and recommended practices.
Checks for diabetes
Diabetes results in a hazardous rise in blood glucose or sugar. It is a dangerous illness that, if left untreated, can spread to other areas of your body and cause major problems.
A fasting blood sugar test for diabetes may be necessary every one to three years, depending on your risk level. You can discuss getting a diabetes test with your general practitioner if you think you may have the disease.
Examinations of the Skin
Early skin cancer detection can be aided by routine skin examinations. This annual check should be at the top of everyone’s list for routine health screenings because skin cancer is one of the most common diseases in Australia.
Approximately two out of every three Australians will receive a skin cancer diagnosis before they turn 70. The most frequent type of skin cancer identified in Australia is non-melanoma (keratinocyte) skin cancer.
Women, especially those in Australia, should routinely check their skin for any new moles or changes to existing ones, and they should notify their healthcare professional of any concerns.
Reproductive Health Screenings
If untreated, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can lead to major issues such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Sexually active women, especially those who have several partners, should get routine STI screenings, which include tests for syphilis, chlamydia, HIV, and gonorrhoea.
Furthermore, as previously mentioned, human papillomavirus (HPV) screenings—often via Pap smears or HPV DNA tests—are essential for early detection of cervical cancer risk.
Checks for hearing and vision
90% of blindness and visual impairments can be prevented or corrected with early diagnosis. You should make an appointment for a test right away if you observe any changes in your vision. However, every two to three years, women who do not wear contact lenses or prescription glasses should have their eyes examined. Since eyesight deteriorates with age, if you are above 60, you should have them examined every year.
Meanwhile, you should have your hearing examined on a regular basis if you have trouble hearing conversations, frequently hear loud noises, or experience ringing in your ears. Women over 65 must get their hearing checked once in a year because it deteriorates with age, much like their eyesight.
Last words
Setting women’s health examinations as a top priority aims to empower them to take charge of their health and enjoy satisfying lives, not merely to identify illnesses. Women may actively protect their health at every stage of life by committing to routine checkups, maintaining informed awareness of suggested screenings, and cultivating open communication with healthcare providers. Recall that making an investment in preventative care now can pay you handsomely in the form of lifetime wellness.
