They say prevention is better than cure, and they are right. The concept of preventive screening is to address any underlying or asymptomatic abnormal conditions as soon as possible. With a screening session once in a while, you will be able to treat your condition, if required, before it progresses to a stage where remission is lengthy, expensive, or in worst cases, unlikely.
While some workplaces provide their employees with regular preventive screening benefits, you can always visit the nearest laboratory/hospital and get your screening done on your own. When you start prioritizing your health, things naturally become easy – everyday work gets interesting, your once monotonous routine gets worth living, and so on. Let us look into what preventive screening is and how you can benefit from it.
What is Preventive Screening?
Preventive screening is recommended for people who show no symptoms of any disease or abnormal condition. These individuals, however, may be at a higher risk of developing it owing to their age, gender, race, or environment. These screenings are conducted to rule out any health abnormalities or early detection.
Preventive screening is also a great way to keep your body in check and make sure it is getting all the nutrients it needs to function normally. They might include a group of ultrasound screenings for the internal organs, a blood draw, or a finger stick method. Since they are associated with testing the general wellness of an individual, they account for blood counts, liver, renal, and thyroid function tests, and cholesterol tests.
Early Identification and Preventive Screening
Preventive screening tests are divided into multiple groups. For example, a young adult who works a white-collar job and eats out frequently is likely to be recommended a different set of tests than a pregnant woman. Similarly, people with mental health illnesses running in their family and women nearing menopause are also recommended a different set of preventive tests.
Insurance-covered preventive screenings for young adults (people of all genders, from the age of 18-25) include a blood pressure screening, cholesterol screening, HIV and/or syphilis screening, and type 2 diabetes screening. On the other hand, those for post-menopausal women or those who are nearing menopause would include breast cancer screening, cervical cancer screening, breast and ovarian cancer counseling, chlamydia infection, and contraceptive usage.
Preventive care for pregnant women looks a little different from that for non-pregnant women. Pregnant women are recommended preventive screening for anemia, urinary tract infections or UTIs, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, gestational diabetes, and Rh status. They are also offered to counsel for an appropriate folic acid supplement dosage and breastfeeding support.
Counseling and intervention services are also covered by preventive screening and include a wide range of services; namely depression screening, STI screening in adults at higher risk, tobacco use screening, obesity screening, diet counseling for people at high risk of developing chronic diseases, and alcohol misuse counseling.
Tests involved in Preventive Screening
When looking for a disease before it starts showing symptoms, doctors generally prescribe tests to check for following abnormalities.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Atrial fibrillation
- Breast cancer (in women)
- Cervical cancer (in women)
- Carotid artery disease
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Lung cancer
- Obesity
- Osteoporosis
- Prostate cancer (in men)
- Testosterone deficiency
- Type 2 diabetes
With the right diagnosis at the right time, most of these health conditions can be reduced, or sometimes even eliminated, by following a specific treatment plan. Your healthcare professional is likely to formulate one that is individualized according to your lifestyle.
Benefits of Preventive Screening
Preventive screening benefits extend beyond just zero to low costs.
Save Money
If you are worried that getting regular preventive screenings will drain your pocket, do not be! Nowadays, most insurance plans are covering the complete costs of screenings. This means you have to pay $0! People who fail to acknowledge their health diseases sooner suffer from having to pay for proper treatments, which are not just costly but also lengthy.
Early Detection
Sometimes, you might be at high risk for a condition that exhibits little to no symptoms. With preventive screenings, you can find out more about them and discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider at the earliest. Stroke is widely referred to as the silent killer, but with regular screenings, you can treat that and live a longer and healthier life!
Boost your Productivity
Besides the other basic benefits of preventive screening, a regular preventive care drive at your workplace increases employee productivity. These could have a great impact on your workplace environment as more people will get treatment for their migraines or high blood pressure at the earliest. Moreover, when your employees realize they are valued at their workplace, they are naturally bound to put more effort into their work.
Extend your Lifespan
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, every seven out of ten deaths in the U.S. are caused by chronic diseases. The only way that these diseases can be kept from exaggerating to chronic stages is by preventing screening. Most of the people losing their lives to chronic diseases could live at least five more years if they are provided the correct diagnosis at the right time followed by adequate treatment.
Takeaway
It is never too late for preventive screening. To get started, visit your healthcare provider and discuss the tests that you should get done according to your age, gender, and ethnicity to maintain a healthy mind and figure.
You can get yourself screened from HG Analytics as they provide a 90-minute screening followed by a comprehensive report for early prevention. Reach out to them and book your slot today!
Also Read: How HCQs 200 mg-Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) May Help Us Fight COVID-19
