Screening
Getting regular screenings is an important way to monitor your health and wellbeing, even if you feel healthy, to prevent the development of certain diseases and chronic conditions. There are a number of screenings and tests you should perform regularly as you age:
Cervical Screening
Cervical Screening Tests are important to check for HPV infection and allows early detection of infection which might lead to cervical, anal, vaginal, vulvar, and mouth and throat cancers. If you are aged between 25 and 74, you should be getting a cervical screening test every 5 years. This can be accessed through your health provider, and you are able to collect a sample from your vagina yourself, or the healthcare provider can collect the sample from your cervix. Both of these methods are a safe, reliable way to check for HPV infection.
Visit these links to find out where to get a Cervical Screening test:
Mammogram
A mammogram is a screening test that checks your breasts and breast health for signs of breast cancer. It is important to get a mammogram every two years if you are aged 50 to 74 through the BreastScreen Australia Program, which is available for free. Women aged 40-49 and 75 and over are also eligible to receive free mammograms, but this is self-nominated, rather than invited by the BreastScreen Australia Program.
It is recommended that women with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, aged between 40 and 49 or over 75 discuss options with their GP, or contact BreastScreen Australia on 13 20 50.
Visit Breastscreen to find out more information
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is the main test used to investigate or diagnose bowel cancer. If you are concerned about bowel cancer, consult your doctor. Australians aged 50 to 74 at average risk of bowel cancer (e.g. without symptoms, family history or precursor conditions) are urged to participate in Australia’s National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. The program information is available here.
Find more information about colonoscopies here:
Skin Checks
2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70, and Queensland has higher rates of melanoma in compared with the rest of Australia. It is vital that you use sun protection (SPF 50+ sunscreen) and protective clothing to protect yourself from the sun and prevent skin cancer from developing. It is also important to know and monitor your skin, and consult a doctor if you notice any new spots or changes to existing freckles or moles. This includes the shape, colour or size of a spot.
Skin cancer commonly develops on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, ears, neck, chest, arms, hands, and the legs. It can however develop on areas such as your palms or beneath your fingernails or toenails.
For more information and resources, visit:
Cholesterol
A cholesterol blood test looks at the levels of cholesterol and other fats in your blood. You might need this test if your doctor wants to assess your risk of heart disease and stroke. This blood test is usually recommended every 5 years, starting from 45 years. Testing should start at 35 years for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people.
Testing every 12 months is recommended for people with:
- high blood pressure,
- diabetes,
- heart disease,
- stroke,
- or kidney disease
Your doctor may also suggest more regular testing if you are being treated for high cholesterol.
Diabetes
The Australian Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool (AUSDRISK) can help you understand your risk of getting type 2 diabetes. Because you can have diabetes even without experiencing any symptoms, you should have a diabetes test regularly if you are at a high risk of type 2 diabetes. An AUSDRISK score of 12 or more is considered high risk. If you are concerned about your diabetes risk, speak to your doctor, who can refer you for a blood test.
Immunisation
Immunisation protects children (and adults) against harmful infections and viruses before they come into contact with them in the community. Your baby or child can get many vaccines for free under the National Immunisation Program. New vaccines against serious illnesses continue to be developed, so your child may receive more vaccines than you did as a child. Your child can be vaccinated at your doctor’s clinic, an immunisation clinic, your local council by community child health nurses, and at some hospitals. Most vaccine side effects are minor, and the risk of a serious side effect from a vaccine is far lower than the health risks of the disease itself.