Mums would do anything to make sure their little ones stay healthy and happy.
When you become a mother, ensuring your family’s good health becomes a priority. You might even put the health of your child and loved ones before your own.
But have you ever wondered who will take good care of your child and loved ones if you are unwell?
Looking after your own health is therefore crucial in order for you to look after your family. The question is how can you do that?
One simple way is to schedule regular health screening for yourself and your loved ones.
Mums, it’s time to stop putting your own health on the back-burner. Looking after your own health means you get to look after the health of your loved ones too.
What is health screening?
Health screenings are simple tests, such as blood tests for high blood cholesterol or diabetes, which are done to detect any health problems early. It is different from diagnostic tests, which are tests done after a person is already showing signs of being ill.
Why is health screening so important?
Many diseases are silent and don’t show any signs or symptoms in their early stages. Due to this, they can easily go unnoticed.
The good news is that regular health screening can help detect such diseases in their early stages, which in turn reduces the risk of serious complications, resulting in better health outcomes.
Therefore, it is a good practice for all people, including healthy individuals, to go for regular health screening as it enables you to have a clear understanding of your health status.
Click on the next page to find out the recommended health screenings for women.
Health screening for cervical and breast cancer
In particular, there are two cancer screenings that are recommended for women: (1) Cervical cancer screening and (2) Breast cancer screening.
A Pap smear is a simple and effective health screening test that can detect cervical cancer early.
Understanding cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is the cancer of the neck of the womb, also known as the cervix. It is also the 10th most common cancer in Singapore.
In its early stages, women with this cancer may not experience any symptoms at all, and therefore, not even know that they have this disease.
But the good news is that through screening, it is possible to detect cervical cancer early and prevent the disease from progressing further. Screening for cervical cancer is done via a Pap smear. This is a simple procedure that only takes a few minutes. During the procedure, a small sample of cells is collected from the outer opening of the cervix. This sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.
If you experience some discomfort during the procedure, taking slow, deep breaths during the process will certainly help.
Medical experts recommend that all women aged 25 and above, who have ever had sex, should go for a Pap smear once every three years to screen for cervical cancer.
Getting regular mammograms can save lives!
Understanding breast cancer
Another common disease that affects Singaporean women is breast cancer. It is the number one cancer among Singaporean women and the associated risk increases with age.
A screening mammogram is the recommended test to check for breast cancer.
During a mammography process, your breast will be placed between two flat plates and compressed for a few seconds (one breast at a time). You might feel some discomfort during the compression. However, the compression is necessary in order to get a clear x-ray image of your breast tissue.
If someone in your family — perhaps your mother or mother-in-law — is over 50 years of age, it is highly recommended that she goes for a screening mammogram once in every two years.
Everyone knows the adage that “prevention is better than cure” and few would disagree with it. Screening is one of the measures that can prevent disease from occurring. Remember: When you are healthy, it means you can keep your family healthy too!
Where can you learn more about health screening in Singapore? Find out on the next page.
Find out about health screening for your whole family on Screen for Life.
A “one-stop website” for you and your family’s health screening needs
Mums these days are more often than not “super-mums”. In addition to everything else they do, they also take care of the health of the whole family — from that of their children and husband to the health of their own parents or parents-in-law.
However, with all the health screening options available in the market, how do you know which one is suitable for you and your loved ones? This is where Screen for Life can help you.
Screen for Life is an online interactive platform that features evidence-based screenings recommended for individuals based on their age and gender. For instance, you could find out what health screening tests your husband or father would need based on their age.
Screen for Life also includes key information pertaining to immunisation, from childhood to old age – such as the different types of recommended immunisations that your baby should get at different ages.
For example, do you know there are three doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine? It is recommended that your baby receives his first dose at birth, the second dose at three months, and the last dose between five to six months of age.
In such instances, Screen for Life becomes really useful to help you keep track of your child’s immunisation schedule and plan your visits to the doctor. All this ensures that your little one is protected against potentially harmful infectious diseases.
At the Screen for Life website, you will learn about every single preventive health service recommended for all your loved ones, from your youngest child to his grandparents, throughout their lifespan. Without doubt, it is a useful and comprehensive tool for any super-mum!
You can get information about all the health screening procedures your child will need, from birth through to his adult years.
Let’s remember that good health is not something we should take for granted. Include regular health screening in your long-term action plan to live life to the fullest and be around to care for your loved ones.
Visit screenforlife.sg or call HPB HealthLine at 1800 223 1313 for more information on preventive health services that parents and kids are recommended to take up based on their age and gender.