Nine life-saving preventive screening tests for the over fifties

Physical health screening is an important part of maintaining overall wellness at any age, but even more so as we get older. If you are 50 years or older, these are the preventive screening tests that should be part of your healthcare screening routine.

Bear in mind that when you go for your yearly physical, your doctor may recommend other tests based on your personal health profile. Here are nine important health checks when you are 50 years or older.

1. Preventative screening assessments

Let's start with the basics. A simple screening assessment is what you need to understand your health. It is quick, easy and convenient. During a screening assessment, your blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol and your body mass index (BMI, which is a weight assessment) are determined, all in one sitting.

Going for a quick and simple preventative screening assessment can be the greatest investment you make in your and your family's future health. Every year, these assessments are fully covered by the Fund from the existing Screening and Prevention Benefit.

You can get these screening assessments done at a Discovery store, Clicks or Dis Chem pharmacies, or at healthcare professional and selected pharmacies on the Discovery Wellness Network.

2. Colorectal cancer screening

The Cancer Association of South Africa identifies colorectal or colon cancer among the top three cancers for both men and women in South Africa. What's more concerning is that, according to the Mayo Clinic, many people with colorectal cancer experience no symptoms in its early stages. This makes testing for such cancer vital.

Screening can be done in one of two ways.

Faecal occult blood test
This is a simple, non-invasive bowel cancer stool screening test that tests for traces of blood in the faeces. The Fund provides cover for one of these tests, every two years, for all beneficiaries who are 45 to 75 years old and pays up to a maximum of the Fund Rate. If you are identified to be at risk, you will have access to additional colonoscopy screening.

A colonoscopy
This screening procedure last between 30 to 60 minutes. It allows your doctor to look at the inner lining of your large intestine (rectum and colon). The doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube called a colonoscope. This method of testing also helps to find polyps, which may become cancerous, and can detect cancerous tumours in their early stages, before they spread. This type of screening is covered by the Fund when performed in a doctor's rooms and paid up to the Fund Rate. If the scope forms part of your authorised in-hospital care, it will also be paid up to the Fund Rate.

3. Skin and mole checks

Skin cancer is more common in individuals over the age of 50, particularly those who have spent a lot of time in the sun or have a family history of skin cancer. Regular skin cancer screenings enable you to detect any signs of skin cancer early on and allow for early treatment.

So why are older adults more susceptible to this disease?

As we age, we undergo many physical changes. Our skin is no different. Certain changes significantly reduce our defence against skin disease and increase our risk for skin cancer (melanoma). This includes changes like thinner skin, poorer healing capabilities, damage from external factors like smoking and pollution, and a weaker immune system.

During a skin cancer screening, your healthcare provider or dermatologist will closely examine the freckles and moles all over your body for abnormalities, including your scalp and between your fingers and toes. Remember to go to one of the Fund's network GPs or Specialists to ensure that the Fund will pay for these services in full.

4. Joint care assessment

It is not uncommon to begin experiencing subtle aches and pains around once you are 50 years old. Years of wear and tear on the body all add up. Your doctor can assess your aching joints and will help guide you with supplementation and arthritis care solutions that are suited to your level of activity and health.

During a joint care assessment, patients are tested for osteoarthritis (often called "wear and tear arthritis) of high-traffic joints. Patients are also tested for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inflammatory condition where the immune system attacks the tissue lining your joints. Severe RA, if left unchecked, can cause complications like narrowed or blocked heart arteries, scarring of the lungs and blood cancers that can shorten a person's life expectancy. Remember to go to one of the Fund's network GPs or Specialists for an assessment to ensure that the Fund will pay for these services in full.

5. Comprehensive eye examination

A comprehensive eye examination can help an ophthalmologist detect signs of certain cancers. The most common forms of cancer that eye doctors can detect during routine eye exams are skin cancers, such as melanoma, squamous cell and basal cell. They will also be able to detect early signs of lymphoma and leukaemia, which are known to affect the internal tissues of the eyes.

Fatigue, poor diet, and complex health issues like diabetes can affect your vision as you age. It is important to see your eye doctor regularly, and even more so if you are diabetic or have a family history of eye disease. This is so that if a condition like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) occurs, you have the chance of catching it in its early stages before vision loss occurs.

Other age-related eye problems that your eye doctor will test for include presbyopia (long sightedness), glaucoma (an eye condition that damages the optic nerve), dry eyes, age related macular degeneration (degenerative disease that affects the macular and retina), cataracts and temporal arteritis (inflammation of the blood vessels of the temples that can lead to blindness).

You have access to one eye test and one tonometry test per year, paid from your Medical Savings Account. These tests must be performed by a registered optometrist.

Male specific screening

6. Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a malignant tumour that begins in the prostate gland. Certain prostate cancers have a tendency of growing extremely slowly and may not cause symptoms or problems for years, which is why screening tests are important. If it is caught in its early stages, while still confined to the prostate gland, this type of cancer can be cured. Metastatic prostate cancer can be successfully treated, allowing patients to live a reasonably healthy life for several years after their diagnosis.

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) recommends that men over 50 years, or those who are 40 years and older with a family history of prostate cancer, should go for routine prostate cancer screening.

The two most common ways of detecting prostate cancer are:

• A prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
• A digital rectal examination (DRE) and subsequent prostate biopsy.

The Fund pays for these tests from the Pathology benefit.

Female specific screening

The positive side to women's cancer is that there is a good chance of recovery if you catch it early. By being aware of changes in your body and by going for regular screenings, you can prevent cancer from sneaking up and have the chance to safeguard your health.

In addition to the routine pelvic examination that is performed by a gynaecologist, women should undergo the following screening:

7. Breast cancer screening

To find out if you have a higher-than-average risk of developing breast cancer, use the Engen Medical Benefit Fund MyBreastCancerRisk calculator.

According to the National Cancer Registry, one in 26 women are at risk of developing breast cancer in South Africa. The concern is that most women present with late-stage cancers, making for a difficult prognosis. Mammograms are used to detect breast cancer. During a mammogram, the patient's breasts are compressed between two firm surfaces to spread out the breast tissue. An X-ray then captures images that are displayed on a computer screen and examined for signs of cancer.

You are covered for one mammogram every two years, which is paid for from your Screening and Prevention Benefit. It is important to note that if you are at high risk, you qualify for a yearly mammogram and should discuss your screening regimen with your healthcare professional. High-risk members who qualify for an MRI will also have access to this type of screening test.

8. Cervical cancer screening

The HPV Information Centre has ranked cervical cancer as the second most frequent cancer among women in South Africa.

A Pap smear is an important part of every woman's screening assessments and can detect precancerous cells and cervical cancer. A Pap smear is used to detect abnormal tissue before it develops into cancer. This is a screening test that is usually performed by a gynaecologist using a speculum and a special swab.

You have cover for a Pap smear every three years from the Screening and Prevention Benefit. However, if you are at high risk of getting cervical cancer, it is important to speak to your healthcare professional to advise on the appropriate screening test and how often you should have the screening done.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the underlying cause of most cases of cancer of the cervix. This is why tests for human papillomavirus (HPV) should be done every five years in addition to Pap smears.

9. Ovarian cancer screening

If you're over the age of 55, or have a family history of ovarian cancer, a transvaginal ultrasound and a CA-125 blood test could help to detect this condition early. Chat to your gynae about your personal risk and how and when you should be screening for this cancer.

As we age, our bodies undergo many changes. While we have no control over such changes, we can lower our risk of developing certain health problems related to them. By keeping up with your regular screening assessments, you will have a far greater chance of staying healthy, or catching any potential problems early. This can extend the years you will spend in good health as well as your lifespan.