August is Women's Month and this year's theme is women's rights. One of these rights is to have control over your own health and body. We look at some of the screening tests women need and why.
For you to be healthy, various systems in your body need to work well together. The problem is that you can't always judge how healthy you are by how well you feel. Take control of your health with routine screening tests like your yearly Health Check, a Pap smear and, after 40, a mammogram.
When you go for routine screening tests, you're rewarded with better knowledge about your health and a chance to improve it.
Screening tests for cancer
Breast cancer and cervical cancer are two of the most common cancers among women in South Africa. Luckily, there's a good chance of recovery if you catch them early. By knowing your body, what's normal for you and going for regular screenings, you can prevent cancer from sneaking up on you.
Pap smears can detect cervical cancer early
Early cervical precancers or cancers often have no signs or symptoms, which is why having a Pap smear at least every three years is so important. Female members of Remedi Medical Aid Scheme have cover for a Pap smear every year from our Screening and Prevention Benefit.
Pap smears can detect precancerous cells and cervical cancer. An abnormal cervical screening test does not mean you definitely have cancer. Most abnormal results are caused by an infection or the presence of treatable precancerous cells, rather than cancer itself.
Mammograms reveal breast lumps that could be breast cancer
Women often detect breast lumps themselves before a doctor does. That's why it is so important to examine your breasts each month for abnormalities. If you are younger than 40, you only need to go for a mammogram (breast X-ray) if you have a family history of breast cancer or feel a lump.
Female members of Remedi Medical Aid Scheme have cover for a mammogram every year from our Screening and Prevention Benefit. A mammogram can detect breast lumps before you feel them.
Catch other conditions early with the Health Check
You can prevent certain conditions before they take hold. The Health Check measures your blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol and calculates your body mass index (BMI). These screening tests determine your risk for conditions like chronic high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity.
Your health is unique to you, so we use the results of your individual Health Check to refer you to personalised condition-specific healthcare programmes if you need it. Our programmes give members and their doctors the tools they need to monitor and manage health conditions.
If your Health Check results show you are at risk for developing certain conditions, you have cover for general screening tests and additional tests based on your age, sex and health profile. Don't delay. Get your screening tests done to catch conditions early before they have the chance to catch you!
Sources
South African Government. Women's Month 2022.
World Health Organization. Human rights and health.
Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA). What you need to know about cervical cancer. CANSA. Women & cancer