What Is a Health Screening?

Preventive care — including annual physicals, age-appropriate health screenings and more — is a key way to protect and nurture your long-term health. If you haven’t seen your primary care doctor in over a year, the first thing they'll do is conduct a health screening as part of your physical exam. But what is a health screening, and how can one help you take better care of yourself? Let’s explore these important checkpoints in your health care journey.

What Are Health Screenings?

Health screening services include various medical exams that aim to catch early signs of disease or health problems in people who may not show symptoms yet. A simple routine screening test might save your life if it detects underlying health conditions or diseases that can be managed or prevented with an early diagnosis. A health screening can be conducted by your family physician or primary care provider.

So, what is a health screening meant to detect? That depends on the type of medical test you take.

Types of Health Screenings

There are many screening tests that your primary care provider may conduct in order to help them identify risk factors of disease. Certain health exams are part of routine preventive care and can be completed during your annual wellness exam. Some screenings are recommended based on your age, gender or family health history. Your primary care physician will recommend the medical screenings that are right for you.

What is a health screening able to detect? Listed below are some of the most common health screening tests that can help diagnose disease and underlying symptoms.

Heart Health Screening

Some of the most common health screening tests involve the cardiovascular system so you can know your numbers. Blood pressure screenings check the pressure in your arteries as your heart pumps. They can help identify issues that can lead to health complications or increase risk factors for certain diseases.

Cholesterol screenings are also important for your heart health. They involve drawing a small amount of your blood to check the levels of low-density lipoprotein, also called LDL or “bad” cholesterol. If your cholesterol screening comes back with high cholesterol levels, you could have a higher risk of developing arterial plaque.

Mental Health Screening

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. We want to ensure that you feel whole in every area of your life. Mental health screenings allow your health care provider to check for signs of a mental condition. With carefully chosen questions, the provider can learn information about your thoughts, moods, memory and behavior. If the test shows signs of a mental health condition, further exams can then be scheduled.

Cancer Screening

Cancer screenings check for any signs of cancer before symptoms appear. The goal is to catch the disease as early as possible so that it doesn’t progress into further stages. No matter what type of cancer you have, an early diagnosis will make it easier to treat.

There are a few types of cancer screenings available, including those for:

• Breast cancer screening
• Cervical cancer screening
• Colon cancer screening
• Head and neck cancers
• Lung cancer screening
• Pancreatic cancer screening
• Skin cancer screening

The recommended health screening your health care provider uses will depend on the kind of cancer they’re testing for. Some of the most common options include colonoscopies, mammograms, Pap smears and prostate-specific antigen tests.

Diabetes Screening

Adults who are 45 and older should get diabetes screenings, which can include glucose tolerance tests. These screenings measure your blood sugar levels before and after drinking a liquid that contains glucose. You can also have a random blood sugar test, which checks your blood sugar levels without the need for fasting. The A1C test is another common option for diabetes screenings. It measures your blood sugar levels over two or three months.

Your doctor may recommend screening for early signs of diabetes if you are clinically overweight, have a medical history of pre-diabetes or if you're between the ages of 40-70.

Bone Density Tests

A bone density test, also called a bone mass measurement, assesses the density and strength of your bones as you approach menopause. It can help spot early signs of thinning bones and, when repeated, can measure the rate at which bone loss is happening.

This medical screening is typically recommended to women as they have a lower bone mass than most men. When women reach the age of 65, bone density tests often become a routine screening as part of the physical exams.

Osteoporosis Health Screening

To screen for osteoporosis, bone measurement tests are excellent options. A DEXA scan is a noninvasive option that uses an X-ray to check areas like your hips and spine. Quantitative ultrasounds can also be helpful for estimating bone loss, but they do not measure bone density.

Hepatitis Screening

Doctors recommend hepatitis screenings for everyone 18 and older and for those who are pregnant. Blood tests can check for hepatitis B and C.

Health Screenings for Men

It’s recommended that men undergo a variety of health screenings. These include:

• Blood pressure screenings
• Cholesterol screenings
• Colorectal cancer screenings
• Diabetes screenings
• HIV screenings
• Lung cancer screenings
• Prostate cancer screenings
• STI screenings

Talk to your doctor about when to start taking these men’s health exams. Men who have low body weight or those who have smoked, taken steroids or have a history of heavy alcohol use are all at risk of experiencing bone density issues and should speak with their doctor about taking an osteoporosis screening.

Health Screenings for Women

It’s recommended that women receive some crucial screenings. These include:

• Blood pressure screenings
• Bone density screenings
• Breast cancer screenings
• Cervical cancer screenings
• Diabetes screenings
• HIV screenings
• Lung cancer screenings
• STI screenings

Talk to your doctor about when to start taking these women’s health exams. Women 65 and over should also get colonoscopies to check for colorectal cancer.

The Importance of Health Screenings

What is a health screening beneficial for? With health screenings, you can help prevent the development of symptoms and health conditions that could impact your life. You can also feel more in control of your health and the decisions you make every day, helping you stay whole. Benefits of routine health screenings include:

• Early Detection: Health screenings help with the early detection of diseases. When you look at cancers, for example, the sooner you begin treatment, the better your chances are of surviving and achieving remission. Early detection of heart disease can help you make the necessary lifestyle changes to help prevent a heart attack.
• Peace of Mind: Screenings can also offer peace of mind. If you have a family history of diabetes, for instance, you are likely worried about developing the condition yourself. By getting regular screenings that give you an accurate health assessment, you can lower your anxiety levels and even help improve your mental health.
• Save Money: You also save money when you get regular screenings. These tests are often free or affordable — especially when you compare them to what it would cost to treat conditions like cancer or diabetes.

How Primary Care+ Can Help

At AdventHealth Primary Care+, we know you lead a busy life, and it can seem like a hassle to schedule health screenings. By offering same-day appointments and the level of flexibility you need, we are here to make preventive care easier.

Finding quality primary care providers is important, which is why we have a team of dedicated experts ready to provide high-quality care. Our teams are located across Central Florida and in select Walgreens stores in Tampa.

Focus on Preventive Care by Turning to Health Screenings

Everyone can benefit from getting health screenings. Talk to your primary care provider about the different screening options and which might be right for you based on your sex and age.

Your primary care provider is involved in your daily health needs and can help you navigate any medical challenges you face. If your screenings should detect any concerns, they’ll connect you with the specialist you need. They’re dedicated to guiding you in preventing certain diseases, encouraging you to get health screenings every one or two years.

By finding the right primary care team, you have allies available to help you with any potential health issues. You don’t have to wait — you can turn to AdventHealth Primary Care+ for an appointment. Count on us to keep you whole in body, mind and spirit.