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Proactive health: Screenings every 35+ South African should diarise

As you hit your mid-30s, regular health screenings become vital for early detection and prevention of diseases. From checking blood pressure and cholesterol levels to screening for cancers, diabetes, and eye or skin health issues, these tests ensure you stay proactive about your well-being. This comprehensive guide also highlights timelines and risk factors, empowering you to take charge of your health with informed decisions. Once you turn 35, you're no longer classified as a spring chicken, but you're not over the hill, either. However, it might be time to start taking your health a little bit more seriously than you previously may have. Especially if your knees pop when you dance at weddings, or your back hurts when you get up in the morning. Even if you feel fine and dandy, getting regular health checks is still best. Early detection saves lives. "Screening tests are important as they can detect early disease when treatment is most effective and can improve outcomes," says Dr Heather Blaylock, a medical doctor specialising in sexual health. Blood pressure screenings You should visit a clinic or pharmacy to check your blood pressure every year or so. If, however, you have any of the risk factors below, you might want to do so more regularly if: You have conditions like diabetes, kidney problems, heart disease, are overweight A first-degree relative has/had high blood pressure You're a person of colour You had high blood pressure during pregnancy Eat lots of salt Drink alcohol excessively According to the Mayo Clinic, high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is generally when your blood pressure reading is 130/80 millimetres of mercury (mm Hg) or higher. When untreated, hypertension increases your risk of heart attacks, heart disease, stroke, and other serious health problems. Breast cancer screenings According to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), breast cancer is the most common cancer in women of all races. If, after a self-exam, you find any suspicious lumps or growths, contact your doctor immediately. It might not be a sign of cancer, but if there are other changes in the breast or underarm area, it's best to have it seen. You need clinical breast exams annually. Mammograms should be done yearly for women over 40 and bi-annually for women over 55. READ | 'Think iron, check iron, take iron': A guide to managing deficiency to boost health and renew energy Cervical cancer screenings If you are sexually active and 21 years or older, you should get a pap smear test and pelvic exam done, according to Blaylock. "[The] HPV test done in combination with the pap test is better to identify women at risk for cervical cancer and is known as co-testing," says Blaylock. If the test is negative, you might only need another screening in five years, according to sexual risk. Speak to your healthcare provider for advice specific to you. "After the age of 65, if previously tested negative, these tests can be stopped. Women who have had a total hysterectomy do not need pap smears as the cervix has been removed. Women diagnosed and treated for precancer should continue to have pap smears for 20 years after treatment," adds Blaylock. Cholesterol screenings High cholesterol can affect anyone. Just because someone looks 'healthy' doesn't mean they are. You could be at risk of high cholesterol if you: Are overweight Drink excessively Have an underactive thyroid Have chronic kidney failure Are on medications like beta blockers, specific birth controls or antiretrovirals According to Discovery, a blood test is the only way to test your cholesterol levels properly. Your doctor will then be able to tell you your 'good' and 'bad' cholesterol levels and what your next steps might be. Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes screenings Prediabetes is when your glucose level reading is higher than normal but not yet in the diabetic range. According to Diabetes South Africa, those with increased body weight and women who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are at higher risk for prediabetes or diabetes. If you have any of the following symptoms, you could have prediabetes or diabetes: - blurry vision - frequent urination - fatigue - increased thirst and hunger Overweight adults should be screened regularly. Adults who are healthy but have any risk factors should be screened every three years. Eye exams According to SpecSavers, your eyes should be tested every 12-24 months. Regular eye tests could detect early signs of serious illness and vision problems. Vision Optometrists recommend more frequent tests for adults under 40 with health problems. Over 40, the risk of eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration increases with age, so you should have eye tests yearly. Skin cancer screenings Most skin cancers are treatable, mainly if they're found early. Regular skin checks are an important part of your health check-up routine. According to Netcare, the incidence of skin cancer in South Africa is higher due to high levels of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It is important to visit your dermatologist if you answer 'yes' to any of the following: A for asymmetry: is one side of the mole bigger or a different shape from the other? B for border: is the outline of the mole irregular? C for colours: Does the mole have multiple colours or shades? D for diameter: Is the mole larger than six millimetres in diameter, or is it rapidly growing? E for evolution: has the mole changed? Is it bleeding or itchy? Your dermatologist could also help you 'map' your moles and make sure to keep an eye on your skin in case something changes. Dental check-ups According to Dentist On Main, you should have a complete dental exam and cleaning at least yearly or whatever your dentist suggests based on your mouth's health. Colonoscopy A colonoscopy is when a trained doctor uses an endoscope to examine your small and large intestines for polyps, colorectal cancer and digestive issues. Dr Christo van Rensburg, one of the most reputed gastroenterologists in South Africa, recommends having screenings if you're 45 or older, or if you have a family member who was diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps, or if you have a personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. "If the initial colonoscopy is normal, the next should be in 10 years' time. If polyps are found during a colonoscopy, timing of a follow-up colonoscopy will depend on the number, size, position and histology of the polyp(s)," says van Rensburg. Your health is your responsibility. During your health exams, make sure to keep your health optimal by doing various regular screenings.