Health screenings are physical examinations that can detect diseases or a lack of well being even when the symptoms have yet to appear.
What diseases are screened?
1. Breast Cancer
This is the no.1 diagnosed cancer in Singapore’s female population for those of 50 years and above. The risk of getting cancer increases with age and it depends on whether anyone in the family has had cancer before.
2. Cervical Cancer
It is the 10th most common cancer among females in Singapore. It often occurs in females in their late 20s to 30s. Sexually active females are more at risk.
3. Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is also known as colon cancer. It is the no.1 diagnosed in males and no.2 diagnosed in females of age 50 and above.
4. High blood pressure
Risk increases with age and chances of getting high blood pressure is higher if someone in the family has or previously had the same issue. It may lead to heart failure, vision loss, stroke or kidney failure if left untreated.
5. High cholesterol
High cholesterol results in fatty deposits on the walls of the blood vessels, and over time, this accumulation of fatty deposits may lead to the narrowing of arteries. This will increase the risk of heart failure or stroke.
6. Diabetes
1 in 3 Singaporeans face this health problem. There are 2 different types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is where there is little or no insulin produced in the body which results in glucose (sugar) being unable to enter the cells, leading to an accumulation of sugar in the bloodstream. Type 2 diabetes is where the body becomes resistant to insulin, leading to accumulation of sugar in the bloodstream.