Skin Cancer Screening – Diagnosis of skin cancer occurs more times per year in the United States than any other type of cancer. Although, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, skin cancer occurs significantly more often, which makes it the number one cancer diagnosis in the United States The good news is that it’s not hard to determine whether a potential skin cancer lesion is present. Many cities around the United States offer free skin cancer screenings, usually in May, at local hospitals. Local dermatologists give up a Saturday, at this time, to help discover possible skin cancers in anyone who shows up at the event. These free skin cancer screenings normally consist of undressing, putting on a hospital gown, and waiting for the doctor to come in the exam room to examine the skin over the entire body. This doesn’t usually take more than a few minutes and offers an opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns you might have about skin cancer.
More: Symptoms of Skin Cancer
Diabetes Screening – Patients who have risk factors for diabetes type 2 (adult onset diabetes) should receive either a fasting glucose test or a glucose tolerance test every 3 years beginning at age 45. Risk factors for adult onset diabetes include:
- Family history of either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
- Women who experienced gestational diabetes during pregnancy
- Having given birth to an infant who weighed over 9 pounds at birth
- High blood pressure or hypertension
- Being part of a family with a culture history of African, Hispanic, Native American, or Pacific Island descent
- Getting little or no exercise
More: Top Warning Signs of Diabetes
Vision Screening – Adults age 18 and older should have eye examinations every one or two years until age 61, when the American Optometric Association recommends that yearly vision screenings should begin. Adults with ongoing eye conditions should see their optometrist as often as the physician recommends. Additionally, patients who have risk factors for diabetes such as high blood pressure, a family history of ocular diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, people who work in jobs that require acute vision, patients who wear contacts, those who take prescribed medications regularly or OTC medications that have vision related side effects, and people who have other health conditions that affect the eyes may need more frequent vision screenings.
More: Top 7 Good Eye Sight Habits
Hearing Test – Hearing loss is widespread and persistent among adults of all ages. While hearing screening is voluntary, the American Speech – Language – Hearing Association recommends hearing screening for adults every 10 years for adults through the age of 50 when more frequent hearing screenings should take place. At age 50, hearing tests should occur every three years. The fact is that over 30% of people over 65 have a hearing loss, 14% of adults aged 45 to 64 also experience hearing loss, and over 8 million people between age 18 and 44 have some type of hearing loss.
More: Age Related Hearing Loss
Sources:
Cervical Cancer Screening Pap Test; CDC; http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/cervical/basic_info/screening/; accessed 05/13/08.
Early Detection; The National Breast Cancer Foundation; http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/early_detection/index.html; accessed 09/22/06.
National Osteoporosis Foundation; http://www.nof.org; accessed 09/20/06.
High Blood Pressure; National Library of Medicine; http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/highbloodpressure.html; accessed 05/13/08.
Cholesterol - The Test; Lab Tests Online; http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/cholesterol/test.html; accessed 09/24/06.
Screening for Type 2 Diabetes; Genetic Health; http://www.genetichealth.com/DBTS_Screening_for_Type_2_Diabetes.shtml; accessed 09/24/06.
Comprehensive Adult Eye and Vision Examination; National Guideline Clearinghouse and the American Optometric Association; http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?ss=15&doc_id=8464&nbr=4725; accessed 09/24/06.
Hearing Loss in Adults; American Speech – Language – Hearing Association; http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/testing#adults; accessed 09/24/06.
