Comprehensive Health Screen
A comprehensive health screening for men typically includes a range of medical tests and evaluations to assess overall health, identify potential risk factors and detect any underlying medical conditions. The specific components of a comprehensive health screen may vary depending on factors such as age, medical history, family history and individual risk factors. Here are some common elements that may be included:
Medical history review
The healthcare provider will discuss your personal and family medical history, including any previous illnesses, surgeries, or chronic conditions.
Physical examination
A thorough physical examination will be conducted, which may involve checking your vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate), examining the heart, lungs, abdomen and other body systems.
Laboratory tests
Blood and urine tests may be performed to evaluate various aspects of your health, including:
- Full blood count (FBC): Measures the number and types of blood cells, providing information about your overall health and potential signs of infection or anaemia
- Lipid profile: Measures cholesterol levels, including total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) and triglycerides. It helps assess cardiovascular health and risk for heart disease.
- Blood glucose: Measures blood sugar levels to screen for diabetes or prediabetes
- Kidney function tests: Assess the functioning of the kidneys by measuring creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and electrolyte levels.
- Liver function tests: Evaluate liver health and detect any liver abnormalities or diseases
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test: Assesses prostate health and can help detect prostate conditions, including prostate cancer
- Thyroid function tests: Measure thyroid hormone levels to evaluate thyroid health and screen for conditions such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
Cancer screenings
Depending on age and individual risk factors, various cancer screenings may be recommended, such as:
- Prostate cancer screening: May include a PSA blood test and a digital rectal examination (DRE)
- Colorectal cancer screening: May involve a faecal immunohistochemical test (FIT test), sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy
- Testicular cancer screening: May include a testicular examination by a healthcare professional or self-examination education
Cardiovascular assessment
Depending on your age and risk factors, cardiovascular assessments may be conducted, including:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): Measures the electrical activity of the heart to assess heart health and detect abnormalities
Stress test
Evaluates heart function during physical activity to assess cardiovascular fitness and detect any potential heart problems.
Immunisations
Recommendations for vaccinations will be reviewed and updated based on your age, medical history and vaccination status. This may include vaccines such as influenza, pneumonia, hepatitis B and others.
Lifestyle and risk factor assessment
The healthcare provider will discuss your lifestyle habits, including diet, exercise, tobacco and alcohol use, stress levels and mental health. They may provide guidance on healthy lifestyle choices and offer recommendations for improvement.
Additional screenings and evaluations
Depending on individual circumstances, the comprehensive health screen may include other assessments, such as bone density testing (for osteoporosis risk), eye and vision evaluations, hearing tests, or sexually transmitted infection (STI) screenings.
It’s important to note that the components of a comprehensive health screen can vary and should be tailored to individual needs. It’s best to consult with a healthcare professional, such as a primary care physician or preventive medicine specialist, who can assess your specific situation, recommend appropriate tests, and develop a personalised health screening plan for you.