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Preserving the Health of Our Culture. |
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Just for adults Preventive screenings are key to early detection Do you take good care of your car? Most of us go to a lot of trouble to maintain our vehicles. In return, they run smoothly and last longer. Adults should practice this same kind of thoughtful prevention with their health. The medical professionals at Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) can help you follow the recommended schedule for routine tests and screenings. With most diseases, especially cancer, early detection is crucial to successful treatment. Sometimes, too, you may not be doing all you can to prevent diabetes, heart disease or other conditions. Often, small changes to your diet, exercise program or lifestyle can have a big impact on your overall health. The chart below is a general guide to the common medical tests most adults should have. However, everyone is unique. If you are at high risk for a disease, or if you have a family or personal history of a disease, you may need to be screened more often. Ask your TGMC doctor how soon and how often you should be tested. |
| REFERENCE GUIDE TO COMMON MEDICAL TESTS FOR ADULTS | ||||||||||||
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To detect presence of lumps in the breasts. Biopsy then determines if they are cancerous. | All women starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health. | Every year or upon discovering a change in your breasts. | None | Traditional or digital X-rays of you are taken. | Up to 30 percent of breast cancer deaths could be prevented with timely mammograms. | ||||||
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To monitor cholesterol and help reduce the risk of heart disease. | All adults | Every five years | None needed for total cholesterol test. A 12-14 hour fast for lipoprotein profile. | Blood is drawn from a vein. | Screening is very effective in determining the type and amount of cholesterol present. | ||||||
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To detect polyps that could become cancerous, or to find the source of suspicious bleeding. | Adults aged 50+ | Every 10 years | You must drink only clear liquids the day before the test; you cleanse your colon by drinking a special liquid. | You are mildly sedated, and the doctor views the colon on a computer screen via a slender, lighted scope inserted through the rectum. | Colonoscopies are very effective at locating polyps and bleeding; 90 percent of those diagnosed with early-stage colorectal cancer are successfully treated. | ||||||
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To detect moles and lesions that might be cancerous. | Adults aged 40+ | Annually | None | Your doctor examines your skin and takes a biopsy, or sample, of any unusual moles or tissue. | Up to half of people who live to age 65 will have skin cancer at least once. All skin cancers can be cured if detected early enough. | ||||||
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To detect cervical cancer. | Should begin about three years after a woman starts having vaginal intercourse, but no later than age 21. | Annually | None | Your physician collects a sample of cells from your cervix. A lab examines the cells to detect abnormalities. | Pap tests are the first screening tool for cervical cancer. Without diagnosis and treatment, 95 percent of women with cervical cancer die within two years. | ||||||
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To detect prostate cancer. | Men aged 50+ Men at high risk age 45+ | Annually | It may be necessary to abstain from certain foods. Consult your doctor. | Blood is drawn for the PSA. DRE is a rectal exam. |
Testing can detect tumors at a more favorable or "early" stage | ||||||