A number of the leading killers of Singaporeans are chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertensive diseases. These can be prevented with healthy lifestyle habits that include a balanced diet, regular physical activity – and health screening.
Many people tend to visit the doctor only when they feel unwell or notice concerning symptoms. However, it’s just as important to schedule regular checkups even when you feel healthy.
A health screening typically includes a physical exam and a review of your medical history, along with blood tests and imaging based on your health risks. These screenings are important for detecting potential health issues early when they are easier to treat. Ensuring you receive your recommended health screenings is important for safeguarding your long-term health.
Why should you go for health screenings?
Routine health screenings allow individuals to take control of their health proactively. They help detect risk factors and health issues even when there are no symptoms.
Routine health screenings help monitor pre-existing conditions
Individuals with pre-existing chronic diseases such as diabetes or hypertension can benefit from health screening as it tracks these conditions to prevent complications and adjust treatments accordingly.
Preventive measures
Routine health checks help detect risk factors and issues early so you can nip them in the bud when they are more treatable. Research consistently shows early chronic disease detection results in better treatment, fewer complications, and increased chances of better outcomes.
Maximising longevity and health
Many proactive health seekers are interested in learning about their own likelihood of living a long and healthy life. While it’s not possible to determine exactly how long an individual’s lifespan will be, it helps to optimise health through early detection of potential issues that could impact longevity. That’s when personalised, predictive screenings that focus on biomarkers of ageing and disease risk come in.
Types of Health Screenings
1. Basic Routine Health Screenings
Your basic health screenings are the most common and usually include routine tests such as blood pressure measurement, lipid panel, fasting blood glucose, and body composition testing. Basic screenings are ideal for younger individuals or those with no significant risk factors. Often, they are the starting point in preventive healthcare and can be sufficient for people who are generally healthy.
Ideal for healthy adults under 40 who need to maintain basic health and wellness or for those looking for a general health checkup, basic screening tests include:
- Physical examination (BMI, body fat percentage, blood pressure measurement)
- Full blood count (haemoglobin, total red blood cells, haematocrit, platelets)
- Diabetes profile (HbA1c)
- Bone and joint profile (calcium, uric acid, phosphate)
- Cholesterol and heart health profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, Chol/HDL ratio)
2. Comprehensive Health Screenings
Comprehensive health screenings dive deeper, often including blood tests for liver and kidney function, imaging studies, and screenings for cancers (including cervical, breast and lung cancer screening). These packages are designed for individuals who may have some risk factors, are entering middle age, or want a more detailed overview of their health. A typical comprehensive screening package may include:
- All the basic routine health screening tests
- Full blood count
- Liver and kidney function tests
- Cancer markers
- Imaging (including chest X-rays, ultrasounds, ECG)
3. Specific Screenings
For individuals with a family history of certain diseases or known risk factors, specific screenings may be necessary. For example, someone with a family history of cardiovascular disease may opt for a cardiac health screening, which includes tests like echocardiograms or stress tests. Those with a family history of cancer might undergo genetic testing or specific cancer screenings that detect cancer-associated alterations circulating in blood. LucenceINSIGHT, for example, is a non-invasive blood test that screens for the risk of 12 different types of cancer. Meanwhile, LucenceINSIGHT Plus screens for an additional 38 cancers, including two types of leukaemia as well as a common age-related bone marrow phenomenon associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease and hematologic cancers.
4. Screenings for Longevity
A growing trend in health screening focuses on longevity and predictive health, offering an in-depth look at a person’s future health risks. These screenings assess a range of biomarkers related to ageing, inflammation, and oxidative stress, providing data to help optimise long-term health and extend lifespan. Longevity health screenings are for individuals who prioritise long-term health and are looking to take steps to optimise their longevity – whether they seek to manage existing conditions, control insulin resistance, reduce body fat percentage, or reduce cardiovascular risk, longevity-focused health screenings help you achieve your health goals by providing a more personalised and detailed look at how your body is ageing and pointing you in the right direction as to what steps you can take to slow down that process.
Common components of longevity-focused screenings may include:
- Baseline blood work (heart, metabolic health, liver, kidney, immune system, blood)
- Metabolic markers (fasting insulin, fasting glucose)
- Nutrients (zinc, magnesium, iron iron binding capacity, folate)
- Male health (testosterone)
- Female health (follicle stimulating hormone)
Which screening should you go for?
Before you choose which health screening package to go for, consider your personal health history, lifestyle, age, and most importantly, your health goals. Some tests under the basic routine health checks are recommended to be done yearly, but depending on the factors previously mentioned, additional tests may be required.
If you have some risk factors, entering middle age, or want a more detailed overview of your health, go for comprehensive health screenings or specific screenings (such as echocardiograms or Multi-Cancer Early Detection tests).
However, if you are aiming for longevity and predictive health, longevity health screenings provide tailored and personalised testing to help you understand your health status and optimise your lifestyle for the longest possible health span. Individuals looking for these types of advanced insights should seek programs that offer:
- Customisation. The best longevity programs will provide tailored screening plans that are based on your health data and goals.
- Advanced Biomarkers. These include tests for inflammation, hormone levels, and other metrics that predict future health risks.
- Actionable Insights. The results from these screenings should provide clear guidance from doctors on what steps you can take to improve your health now and in the long term.
As a guide, consider the following questions:
1. Do you have pre-existing conditions?
If you already have chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease, your screenings should focus on monitoring those issues closely. A comprehensive package that includes tests for heart, kidney, and liver function would be appropriate.
2. Do you have a family history of medical conditions?
Family history plays a significant role in determining your risk for certain diseases. If heart disease or cancer runs in your family, you may want to choose specific screenings for those conditions, such as cardiac tests or cancer markers.
3. Are you focused on preventive health or longevity?
If your goal is to prevent disease before it starts or optimise your longevity, advanced or comprehensive screening packages that include biomarkers related to ageing and inflammation may be best suited for you.
What to Do After Your Health Screening
After your health screening, visit your healthcare provider to discuss your test results at length so you can:
- Highlight any clarifications or concerns you have. Ask questions and point out any readings you might have reason to be concerned about and get your doctor’s opinion on whether your worries are warranted. Your doctors will have the medical expertise and knowledge necessary to judge.
- Ask about the need for further testing, if they are needed. Bring up your risk factors so your doctor can assess whether you’d benefit from further health screening tests.
- Seek advice on how you could improve your health. Understand what you can do to improve your quality of health. It’ll also be good to find out whether they have a good network of registered dietitians and health coaches who can help you make positive changes to your diet and lifestyle.
How extensive should your health screening be? That would depend on your personal health history, family risk factors, and short-term and long-term health goals – whether you’re managing pre-existing conditions, trying to prevent disease, or looking to maximise your longevity. The more personalised and comprehensive the screening, the more actionable insights you’ll receive about your health and longevity.
Health screenings are important, however, it is just one of the two broad things to live a long, healthy life. The first is having awareness of your medical data, which comes from regular health screening. The second step is to nudge those data points in a positive direction, so you can take proactive steps to lower your likelihood of developing a chronic condition while achieving optimal health and wellness.