Both men and women should have regular health checks.  See your doctor for regular medical check-ups to help you stay healthy and to pick up early warning signs of disease or illness. 

Cardiovascular (heart) disease, diabetes and some cancers can often be picked up in their early stages when treatment may be more successful. If you have high-risk factors, such as a family history of a disease, it may be more likely that you will develop a particular disease.

Check-ups may help your doctor pick up early warning signs.  For example, high blood pressure may be an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease.If you are at high risk of a particular disease – such as a family history, it is recommended that you get checked more frequently, and/or at an earlier age.

Both men and women should make self-checking part of their routine.

Things that can be checked at home include:

• Skin checks – monitor your skin particularly for changes in size, shape or colour or anything unusual such as pain or itch. See your doctor if you notice anything unusual. Women at high risk need regular examination by their doctor or dermatologist.
• Breast checks – monitor changes in breast shape and formation of lumps.  While these can be benign, they can also be early indicators of more serious conditions
• Weight management – maintaining a healthy weight can prevent chronic diseases such as diabetes and arthritis
• Mental and emotional health – if you are experiencing symptoms such as intense sadness, irritability, fatigue, anxiety, have had changes to your eating or sleeping habits, see your doctor to discuss these symptoms. Intimate partner violence is one of the biggest impacts on women’s health. If you don’t have someone to talk to you can call 1800 RESPECT (1800 7377328) for advice and support.Health checks from your doctor can include:· Regular blood tests to check cholesterol, sugar levels and to detect vitamin deficiencies or other irregularities which could be indicative of disease.

Tests and Screening

Heart Checks

These are available in clinic and conducted every 12 months for those over 45 years. This involves taking an ECG reading, blood pressure and glucose testing and review of diet and lifestyle habits to determine heart risk factors.

Health Assessments

These are available in clinic and are conducted for people aged 45 – 49 years and for those aged 75 years and over, every 3 years.

Those patients who do not qualify for the age-related check-ups are monitored regularly by their GP.  Our computerised clinical patient records facilitate flagged reminders for regular investigations, such as blood tests, medical imaging, specialist referrals and follow-up, allied health care plans, etc. so that all patients are monitored regularly to ensure continuity of care and patient welfare.

These assessments include:

• Reviewing medication
• BMI
• Diet
• Lifestyle habits
• Blood pressure monitoring
• Blood tests
• Diabetic check, and so on.

Pap tests

Women should have an HPV (pap test) every five years. This screening test is an important test to pick up signs of irregularities that could lead to cervical cancer if not treated. The first pap test should be within two years of the first time you have sex over the age of 20. You should continue to have them every 5 years until you are 70. Even if you have been vaccinated, you should continue to have regular pap tests.

STI screening

If you are under 30 years of age and sexually active, have a urine test for chlamydia each year, as chlamydia can affect your fertility and often has no symptoms. If you have sex with one or more new partners without a condom, it is recommended that you talk to your doctor about checking for other sexually transmissible diseases.

Pregnancy

You should have a general check-up before planning a pregnancy to discuss any health risks during pregnancy. Once you are pregnant, regular antenatal checks help monitor your baby’s development, pick up abnormalities and assess your health.

Tests include ultrasound scans, urine tests and blood tests.