(Copyright Bonnie Schiedel. Originally published in Canadian Health, Winter 2011).
What standard medical tests do you need, and when?
You regularly take your vehicle to the mechanic for preventative maintenance—don’t you owe your body the same care and attention? Standard medical tests are a good idea
because they help your doctor establish a baseline of what’s normal for you, detect potential health problems, and encourage you to be proactive about your health. “If you catch something early, it’s much easier to treat before it becomes a major problem,” notes Dr Jonathon Kerr, a family physician in Belleville, Ont. “Otherwise, you’re behind in the race and trying to catch up.” Use this chart to schedule your health check-ups. Most of the tests are performed at your family physician’s office, and he or she will refer you to the appropriate clinic or hospital for the rest.
These standard medical tests are part of a preventative care checklist for family physicians, developed by the Canadian Task Force on Preventative Health Care and endorsed by the Canadian College of Family Physicians. The guidelines refer to healthy adults at average risk for disease. If you have risk factors such as a family history of a particular disease, are obese, smoke or have a condition such as diabetes or hypertension, you may need to be tested earlier or more often. Discuss your risk level with your health care provider.
Test Bone mineral density test
What it is Also known as densitometry or a DEXA scan, a bone density test uses X-rays to measure the amount of calcium and other bone minerals in your bones to determine if you have osteoporosis or are at risk for it.
Where Generally performed in hospital due to the specialized equipment.
Who should get it Men and women over 65
How often Every 2-3 years if previous result is normal, every 1-2 years if abnormal
Learn more www.osteoporosis.ca
Test Fecal occult test
What it is A test that determines the presence of blood in the stool, which can be an indicator of colorectal cancer. You use a kit to take samples from three consecutive bowel movements and apply them to a test card which is then delivered to a lab.
Where The kit is done at home
Who should get it Men and women over 50
How often Every 1-2 years, unless you’ve had a recent colonoscopy
Learn more www.colorectal-cancer.ca
Test Colonscopy
What it is Under minor sedation, a thin flexible scope with a camera on one end is inserted into the rectum to examine the inside of the colon and rectum for signs of precancerous or cancerous growths. A similar test, known as a flexible sigmoidoscopy, examines only the rectum and lower third of the colon.
Where Performed at a hospital or clinic due to equipment required
Who should get it Men and women over 50
How often Frequency recommendations have not been established, but your doctor may recommend every 10 years if results are normal
Learn more www.colorectal-cancer.ca
Test Clinical breast exam
What it is Your doctor or nurse practitioner feels each breast and the underarm area to check for unusual lumps, skin texture or colour, or discharge from the nipple.
Where Performed at health care office
Who should get it Women over 40
How often Every 2 years
Learn more www.cancer.ca or www.cbcf.org
Test Mammogram
What it is Low-dose x-rays are used to take pictures of the breast interior at different angles to check for signs of cancer. A technician uses a machine to briefly compress the breast between two plastic plates.
Where Performed at a hospital or clinic
Who should get it Women between 50 and 69. (Women 40 to 49, and over 70, should talk to their doctor about appropriate screening.)
How often Every 2 years
Learn more www.cancer.ca or www.cbcf.org
Test Pap smear
What it is Your doctor or nurse practitioner uses a small wood spatula as well as a plastic wand to scrape cells from the cervix (the narrow, lower part of the uterus). The cells are then examined in a lab to check for changes that could indicate cancer or precancerous changes.
Who should get it Women, within three years of beginning of sexual activity (or by age 18) until age 69. You should still get a Pap test even if you are not currently sexually active.
Where Performed at health care office
How often every 1-3 years (after two normal results, get test every three years)
Learn more www.cancer.ca
Test Digital rectal exam
What it is Using a gloved and lubricated finger inserted into the rectum, your doctor checks the prostate for hard, lumpy or tender areas that could indicate cancer.
Who should get it Men over 45
Where Performed at doctor’s office
