Four Health Screenings You May Not Know About
Preventative care is essential for maintaining your health. Screenings can detect illnesses and injuries early, potentially saving your life. Here are a few important screenings you might not be aware of:
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an enlargement in the aorta, the body's main blood vessel. If an AAA ruptures, it can be life-threatening.
Consider a screening if you have any of these risk factors:
- Smoking or a history of smoking
- Male
- Over age 60
- Family history of AAA
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Overweight
- Diabetes
If you have any of these risk factors, talk to your doctor about a referral to a vascular specialist or check firelands.com/vascular for upcoming vascular screening events.
Low-dose lung CT scan
Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) works much like an X-ray to produce high-quality images of your chest and lungs. It detects lung nodules while using 90% less radiation than a conventional chest CT scan.
Those eligible for this screening are:
- Age 50 to 80
- A current smoker or someone who quit within the past 15 years
- An individual with a history of smoking 20-plus packs per year
If you meet these criteria, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider to discuss LDCT screening.
Hernia screening
Hernias occur when an organ pushes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle or tissue. Symptoms can vary, and sometimes there are no symptoms until a complication occurs.
Consider a screening if you have any of these risk factors:
- Family history of hernias
- Abdominal pain, bloating or nausea
- History of heavy lifting or strenuous activities
A doctor or surgeon can perform a physical examination to check for a hernia. If the examination is inconclusive, imaging tests like an ultrasound or CT scan may be needed.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening
A PSA screening is a blood test that measures the level of prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by the prostate gland. It can help detect early signs of prostate cancer.
Consider a screening if you have any of these risk factors:
- Male over age 50
- Male age 40 or older with a family history of prostate cancer
The frequency of PSA screening depends on your PSA levels and your doctor's recommendations.
To get a PSA screening, you can ask your healthcare provider to order one, or you can attend a Firelands Health & Wellness Lab Screening for a low-cost test ($30, paid in cash). To find upcoming screening events at Firelands Health, click here.
Additional screenings
Talk to your primary care provider to determine what screenings you should have. If you do not have a primary care physician, call Firelands Primary Care at 419-557-5591.
Firelands Health offers screening events throughout the year at low cost, as well as special programs for under/uninsured individuals. These may include breast, skin, cholesterol, sugar and vascular screenings, as well as others. To find a list of screening events, click here.
