The Best Resolutions Include Health Screenings Focus on Prevention and Early Detection in 2015

If you are like most Americans making resolutions for better health in 2015, scheduling health screenings is a very good place to start.

Health screenings can save lives. Early detection for diseases, such as colon, breast and cervical cancer can improve prognosis dramatically. Screenings to test for diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease should also all be considered. The type of screening needed is based on your age, gender and risk factors for certain conditions. Talk with your doctor to determine what is recommended and make this the year to get screened. The more you know, the healthier you’ll be.

The purpose of screening tests is to detect disease in people who have no symptoms, and, if the disease is present, to detect it early enough to improve survival. Screening tests should be non-invasive, relatively inexpensive, and very sensitive to detecting the targeted abnormality. Not all exams are covered by insurance. Please contact your insurance company to determine your specific policy guidelines.

We often see headlines that announce new or potential screening tests — most recently, for Alzheimer’s disease, lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Although these tests may sound promising, their value can take years to sort out. Will they really save lives and improve health? Who should have them? What costs and harms are involved?

Keeping up with new developments is a good idea, but it’s even more important not to overlook the many tests and screenings already available to improve your health and the quality of your life. For 2015, take action if you’re overdue for any of these tried-and-true health screenings.

Screening Mammogram
Screening mammograms are performed on patients who are asymptomatic (has no breast complaints) and meet the criteria for a mammogram. These criteria are generally age (over the age of 40), and family history of breast cancer. A screening mammogram usually involves imaging of both breasts the number of images depends on the patient.

If you experience unusual tenderness, pain, nipple discharge or notice a lump in your breast (even if you are in your early twenties), contact your personal physician immediately and come in for a diagnostic evaluation. The best treatment for breast disease is early detection.
• Women 20 years of age and older should perform breast self-examinations monthly
• Women 20-39 should have a physical examination of the breast every three years, performed by a health care professional such as a physician.
• Women 40 and older should have a physical examination of the breast every year.
• Women 40 and older should have a mammogram every year.

Osteoporosis Screening (DEXA)
Osteoporosis is the thinning and weakening of the bones that happens naturally as we age, but other factors such as medications and family history can increase the likelihood of this “silent disease”. Screening for osteoporosis is much easier than trying to reverse bone loss once it has occurred.

Bone densitometry, using an advanced technology called DEXA (Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry), safely, accurately and painlessly measures bone mineral density, which helps determine a person’s risk of developing osteoporosis and future fractures.

CT Body Screening
A body CT Screening scans your lungs, abdomen, pelvis, and other critical organs; this screening can detect cancer, tumors, bone disease and other abnormalities. A full body CT Screening is a great prevention and early detection tool for individuals who would like to maintain good health. If you have any reason to believe you are at an increased risk for a certain disease or condition, early detection is imperative for recovery and may even save your life. Patients do not need a physician’s prescription to obtain this exam, but will need to provide a doctor’s name for the facsimile of the report. Although no contrast is necessary, it is recommended that oral contrast be considered for a more complete examination.

Heart/Calcium Score
A heart score is an evaluation of the coronary arteries for calcified plaque. The blood vessels of the body develop fatty deposits and the body will convert these deposits to calcium; this is the body’s defense mechanism against the soft plaque. Soft plaque can break free or cause a blockage, which can result in a stroke or heart attack. The amount of calcium is quantitatively determined for each artery and a total score is determined. The “total score” is an indication of the risk for coronary artery stenosis.

Chest CT
Lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer in the United States.  222,520 people are expected to die from Lung Cancer this year alone.  New research suggests that screening a high risk population for lung cancer can drastically reduce the number of mortalities from this disease. CT scan is a useful test to identify and screen for lung cancers. The cancers are identified in their early stages at which they can be treated. The CT scan can detect very small masses in the lung. By detecting cancerous tumors at an early stage, an individual’s survival rate may be significantly improved.

Today, health-conscious men and women are taking charge of their health. They know that early diagnosis could save their lives. And now, using NDIC’s state-of-the-art technology and board-certified physicians, they can be screened for some of the most prevalent and deadly diseases, without a doctor’s order.

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