A good GP not only looks after your chronic disease but helps to prevent further health issues by promoting health and prescribing health checks. They are important in detecting health issues early on and being able to solve them before they get out of control.
Below are some of the most essential health checks for women.
Cervical screening
Cervical cancer impacts many women in Australia. Due to the new vaccine which replaced pap smears, sexually active women over the age of 25 years only need to be screened for cervical cancer every 5 years. Understandably, some women suffer anxiety over getting a cervical screen due to the invasive nature of the procedure. Having a good doctor or nurse who makes you feel comfortable, relaxed and safe is essential.
For those who have experienced trauma and are reluctant to be screened in mainstream health services, or worried about treatment by health professionals, there are places in the ACT which focus only on providing sexual health services. These may be preferable if you are worried about seeing your regular GP.
For more information see:
https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/health-checks/cervical-screening-test
STI screening
If you are sexually active it is important to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases regularly. Before every new partner is a good rule. This should not stop you from using a condom- it’s far better to prevent STIs rather than treat them, especially those that are with you for life even after taking a course of medication.
There are a wide variety of STIs that require different types of STI testing. Here are the different types of tests for STIs:
Chlamydia: This STI test requires you to pee in a cup, and it is treated with antibiotics. But if is not treated it can lead to severe sexual and reproductive health consequences.
Gonorrhoea: This is detected by a swab to an infected area or a blood test if your health professional thinks that it has infected your blood. As with Chlamydia it can damage sexual and reproductive organs causing chronic pain if not treated.
Herpes: There are two strains of herpes and both can infect genitals. There can be symptoms of ulcers or no symptoms at all. It is detected via a swab or a blood test and is treated with antivirals but will always be present in your body.
Syphilis: Syphilis can be detected by performing a blood test or a swab if there are sores or a rash. It can be treated with antibiotics which is important to stop it infecting other organs.
HIV: Although HIV is a lifelong condition, the treatment is now so advanced that it does not progress to complete immune deficiency. It is detected by a blood test measuring T cells but if caught early there are medications that can get rid of the virus altogether.
It would be wise to talk to your doctor about preventing STIs too, some things just aren’t taught at school. For example: did you know that you can contract some STIs from oral sex?
For more information see:
https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/sex-sexual-health/safer-sex-stis
https://www.shfpact.org.au/sexual-health-information-brochures/50-sexually-transmissible-infections
Breast checks
Breast checks are essential for early detection of breast cancer. Only 1 in 10 women who get breast cancer have a family history so its important for everyone to be checking! Most (75%) of breast cancers impact women over the age of 50 years, however they can occur at any age. You can do breast checks yourself at home in the shower and lying down. Your GP can also do a breast check for you or you can attend a breast cancer screening clinic where you can get a mammogram. Mammograms are free for women over the age of 40. If you are younger and have a family history of breast cancer or are in a high risk category talk to your GP.
For more information see:
https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/health-checks/breast-checks
Skin checks
Your skin is exposed to many irritants – rubbing from clothes, UV from the sun, and other chemicals that may impact how the skin grows. The most prevalent skin cancer in Australia is due to exposure to the sun’s UV rays. It is important to detect them early so make sure you regularly check your own skin for new and concerning spots. Your GP can help you look for what is abnormal.
For more information see:
https://www.cancer.org.au/about-cancer/types-of-cancer/skin-cancer.html
https://www.actwomenshealthhub.org.au/womens-health/cancer/melanoma/
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/Blog/BlogCollectionPage/how-to-check-for-skin-cancer
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/melanoma
Routine blood tests
Your doctor may recommend getting a routine blood test if you have any symptoms that may be diagnosed by a blood test. You may want to get a blood test if you have risk factors or family history of conditions that may be diagnosed by a blood test or you want to optimise your health.
Common blood markers are:
- Iron – Women who are menstruating are more predisposed to low iron (anaemia) than men, as well as those who are vegan or vegetarian. If you have fatigue and tiredness then perhaps your iron levels are low.
- B12 – Low B12 can promote another form of anaemia, pernicious anaemia. It has similar symptoms to low iron.
- Glucose – Uncontrolled glucose is a sign of metabolic syndrome, PCOS, or diabetes. Signs and symptoms may be fatigue, increased thirst and urination and blurred vision.
- Cholesterol – Can be a marker of heart disease risk or fatty liver.
Other essential health checks to talk to your GP or health professional about:
- Blood pressure checks
- Bone density scan (DEXA) for osteoporosis
- Dental checks
- Eye checks
- Bowel cancer checks
- Immunisation checks
- Mental health checks
Adapted from Better Health Victoria