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What is a Health Screening?

What is a Health Screening?

Health screenings are tests your doctor can perform to find health conditions and diseases before symptoms appear. Many times, if a disease is caught and treated early, you will have a better prognosis and more success in curing the condition or managing symptoms.

There are screenings available for different types of cancers, STIs, diabetes, high cholesterol, and dozens of other conditions. Your doctor may recommend different screenings for different people based on the person’s sex, age, weight, medical family history, and lifestyle.

Why should I get a health screening?

There are many reasons you may decide to get a health screening. Some people may undergo regular health screenings at their annual physical exam. Others may choose specific screenings based on their doctor’s recommendations for early disease detection.

Other factors that may lead you to undergo a health screening include:

  • Occupational health evaluations
  • School or educational requirements
  • Screening requirements for continuing certain medications
  • Eye exam requirements for purchasing glasses

Types of Health Screenings

Types

There are many types of health screenings available, which doctors can use as early diagnosis to check for hundreds of conditions, diseases and deficiencies.
Some of the more common health screenings include:

  • Cholesterol screening: this screening usually consists of a blood draw, which allows your provider to create a lipid profile. They can then determine if you have high cholesterol, which often does not cause symptoms.
  • Depression screening: used to help diagnose mental disorders, a psychiatric screenings usually consist of your doctor asking you questions about your mood, feelings, thoughts and behavior. It may also include a blood test to rule out physical disorders as the cause of any symptoms.
  • Blood pressure screening: doctors often check blood pressure at annual physical exams and during other appointments using a sphygmomanometer, or blood pressure cuff.
  • Skin Exam: a doctor can perform a full-body skin examination to identify any suspicious moles or lesions that they believe could be a skin cancer.
  • Diabetes screening: a diabetes screening generally consists of a blood test to measure blood glucose levels. This test can be performed to see blood glucose levels over time, levels after a fast or after consuming glucose.
  • Eye exam: during an eye exam, your provider will measure your vision, eye pressure and examine your eyes’ nerves and muscles.
  • Lung cancer screening: several procedures can help detect cancer in otherwise healthy individuals who have been identified as “at-risk”.
  • STD screening: healthcare professional can offer quick testing for an array of STDs for sexually active patients.
  • Osteoporosis screening is used to diagnose osteoporosis before patients break a bone.

How is a Health Screening Performed?

Procedure

Depending on the type of health screening, it may involve a blood test, physical exam, conversation about symptoms, or the examination of a specific body part in detail.

Be sure to discuss any recommended health screenings with your doctor so you understand what to expect and how to prepare for a health screening.

Health screenings for both men and women

  • Colorectal cancer screening: a colonoscope is inserted through the rectum and into the colon (large intestine) so the doctor can examine the organ for abnormal areas, polyps and colon cancer. There are other options if a patient does not want a colonoscopy.

Health screenings for women

Doctors will often recommend certain gender-specific screenings to both women and men. There are several screenings women may want to begin having regularly at different stages in their life, including:

  • Breast cancer screening: your doctor will often include a physical examination of the breasts during an annual Well-Woman exam, and women an average breast cancer risk usually begin mammogram screenings at age 40. Women with a higher risk of breast cancer may begin diagnostic mammograms before this.
  • Pap smear: a pap smear, or test, is performed so a doctor can examine the cells of the cervix. If the cells look abnormal, your physician may order more tests for you to rule out cervical cancer. It’s generally recommended that women begin pap smears at age 21.

Health screenings for men

Health screenings specific to men include:

Preparing for a Health Screening

Preparing

Depending on the type of health screening tests you undergo, your doctor may give you preparation instructions before your appointment. Some tests, like a colonoscopy, may require you to abstain from eating for several hours before the screening. Other times, your doctor may recommend that you avoid alcohol, certain foods, or certain medications before your appointment.

If you require a note or proof of screening for a school or workplace, you can discuss this with your physician beforehand. It’s important to ask any questions you may have about your screening to ensure the test goes smoothly and provides useful results.

What to Expect After a Health Screening

After the Screening

After your screening, your physician may recommend nutritional choices, medications and follow-up care. They will talk with you about when and how you can expect your screening results and what these different results can mean.

For example, your doctor may discuss that finding abnormal cells during a pap smear means you may have to return for a colposcopy or biopsy of the cervix.

Most times, additional testing will be needed before your doctor can make a diagnosis of the cause of abnormal test results.

Get Care

Receive a Health Screening at NewYork-Presbyterian

NewYork-Presbyterian offers many types of health screenings that can help you take preventative action to address risk factors and detect problems early. Our experts are dedicated to customizing screening recommendations for each patient based on their age, sex, lifestyle, and health history, so you can be sure you’re taking charge of your health in the most proactive way.