As you get older you need to keep tabs on any changes in your body, and treat them as a sign! While they may not all be sinister, there are some that you need to pay attention to. To give yourself peace of mind, you should also undergo these checks annually, or as often as healthcare professional advises if you are higher risk.
Diabetes
The number of cases of diabetes has skyrocketed in recent years and if Diabetes is not detected early or is left untreated it can even be fatal. Everyone over the age of 55 should be tested for Diabetes, and if you have a family history of it, you should begin testing earlier to assess your risk.
Breasts
It is estimated that 1 in 9 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and early detection can be a lifesaver. Even if you do not have the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes you should have your breasts checked annually (generally from your early 30s!) but as the risk increases as you get older, an annual check up is crucial.
Prostate
With more than 20,000 cases of prostate cancer diagnosed annually in Australia alone, men need to keep tabs on their prostate health and get it checked! A simple blood test can now be used to determine if there is any risk and cancer screening is made much easier this way.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the pressure in your eye, and if left unchecked and unmonitored it can lead to blindness. Your optometrist can check for glaucoma in a general eye exam as they not only check your eyesight, but your eye health too. Treatment often involves something as simple as eye drops, but it is crucial you detect any signs early as you won’t be able to play Bingo for money if you can’t see properly!
Bowels
Bowel cancer has sadly become very common in recent years, but if detected early it is on of the easiest cancers to treat, with one of the highest rates of remission. Bowel cancer screening s something everyone over 50 should do annually, especially if there’s a change in toilet habits.
Bone density
With 1 in 4 men over the age of 60 and 1 in 2 women over 60 suffering from osteoporosis related fractures and injuries, bon density testing is crucial. Considering mortality rates of those who suffered a hip fracture or break are high, keeping tabs on your bones just makes sense. Bone density testing can see if you are at risk and help doctors prescribe a suitable treatment plan.
Blood pressure
Blood pressure can be something of a silent killer and can lead to heart attacks, strokes and even kidney disease. Checking your blood pressure is incredibly simple, but it could save your life. You can also learn how to monitor your blood pressure at home so you don’t even need to go to the doctor or the clinic for a check up.
