Medical tests all women must have

You have probably heard about the importance of getting regular pap smears, physical and dental checkups. However, there are more important medical tests every woman should get that can help you understand your body better as well as protect yourself in the future. Dr Dorothy Kyeyune, a general physician, says routine tests are necessary especially in women of child-bearing age and those approaching old age because they deal with symptoms and areas that are specific or more common in women.
“One of the important tests include blood tests which help to diagnose diseases such as diabetes or heart disease that might not have obvious symptoms,” Dr Kyeyune says.

Blood sugar
The blood sugar test checks the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood. If the glucose is high, it means your body is not making enough insulin or it is not being used efficiently. This can indicate that you have diabetes or pre-diabetes. Dr Kyeyune says women of 20 years and above should do this test once a year or more often if your blood pressure is high.
“There is also the lipid panel test which tests for fats or cholesterol in the blood. It is done to establish levels of unhealthy cholesterol which can clog blood vessels, resulting in high blood pressure or heart failure. Women of child-bearing age or those with diabetes should get tested once a year to prevent pre-eclampsia during pregnancy,” Dr Kyeyune adds.

Thyroid check
The thyroid gland is found in the neck and produces hormones that regulate metabolism. Women are more likely to have an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) or overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) than men.
Tests should be carried out to measure hormone levels to make sure your thyroid is working correctly. “If you are 60 years and above or have symptoms such as fatigue, increased appetite, muscle weakness, brittle hair and nails and unexplainable weight gain or loss ask your doctor to check your hormone levels for either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism,” says Dr Kyeyune.

Bone density
According to Dr Kyeyune, a bone density test is used to detect osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle. It is done by measuring the levels of vitamin D in your blood. Vitamin D is essential for bone strength and other important functions in the body. “Older women are more likely to have vitamin D deficiency, because their skin does not produce enough of this vitamin.

Have your first test at age 65 and another every five years thereafter. Women can lose up to 30 per cent of their bone mass in the five to seven years following menopause. Get tested at menopause if you have ever smoked, have a history of nontraumatic fractures as an adult, or have a family history of osteoporosis,” she says.

Eye check up
Dr George Bwesigye, a general practitioner at Najjera Hospital, says women between the ages of 20-40 should have a comprehensive eye exam every two to four years while those 65 and above should have one every one to two years.
“Regular checkup will help catch any eye health problems such as vision changes and sties to cataracts and glaucoma. Glaucoma is highly treatable, and in most cases glaucoma-induced vision loss can be slowed with medication if treated early. Get exams before age 40 if glaucoma runs in your family, if you have a risk factor, such as diabetes or if you use steroids,” he warns.

Ovarian reserve test
This is an egg count test that helps women know their chances of getting pregnant before they start trying. If you are thinking about having children in the near future, an ovarian reserve test can tell you more about your fertility potential. “Ovarian reserve testing requires a blood test and an ultrasound,” says Dr Herman Ssewagude an OB/GYN from Seven Hills Medical Centre.
Dr Ssewagudde adds that the ovarian reserve test will show a woman’s egg count and egg quality.
“Getting pregnant after age 40 is a challenge for women that may have no other impediment to conception because older women will have mostly abnormal eggs,” he says adding: “An egg is genetically “normal” (euploid) or abnormal (aneuploid); abnormal eggs will lead to infertility, miscarriage, or genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. So the chance of natural pregnancy depends directly and exclusively on “the chance that this month’s egg is a healthy one” not on how many are left in the reserves for the future.”

STI check
How often one tests for STI depends on an individual’s risk factors such as frequency of new sexual partners and if you use condoms or not, Dr Ssewagudde says. He adds that ordinarily, sexually active women should get tested once a year for gonorrhea and chlamydia even if they always practice safe sex.
“It is a good practice to get tested after having unprotected sex, or if you think your partner might have had sex with someone else. Remember people might not have any symptoms, but can still pass STDs to someone. So get tested regularly even if you feel totally fine or have tested negative before,” he advises.

Breast exam
According to Dr Bwesigye, breast cancer is on the increase, with two peaks at ages 35 and 65. “However, 97 per cent of women diagnosed early survive without a recurrence for at least five years,” Dr Bwesigye says. He adds that breast screening should start at age 20, with your doctor manually examining your breasts for any signs of lumps or other changes. Also, if you have painful lumps in the breast, dimples on the breast or enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit check with your doctor as these are signs of breast cancer. “At age 40, women should do annual mammograms whether you have or do not have signs or symptoms of the disease,” he says.

Dental screening
Dr Hamidu Kibuku says most dental problems are not painful in the beginning so it is essential to have twice-a-year checkup to make sure there are no problems.
“The dentist will do a surface to surface check which will help to combat any potential gum disease, treat any tooth decay and clean any buildup,” Dr Kibuku says.
Women who are pregnant or are on certain contraceptives are more prone to gum inflammation. Also if you have more than two drinks of coffee, wine or other alcoholic drinks every day, you should endeavour to have routine checks as you are at a greater risk for gum disease and oral cancers.

How to do a breast self-exam
In the shower. Using the pads of your fingers, move around your entire breast in a circular pattern, moving from the outside to the centre, checking the entire breast and armpit area. Check both breasts each month feeling for any lump, thickening, or hardened knot. Notice any changes and get lumps evaluated by your healthcare provider.

In front of a mirror. Visually inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead. Look for any changes in the contour, any swelling, or dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipples. Next, rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match—few women’s breasts do, so look for any dimpling, puckering, or changes, particularly on one side.

Lying down. When lying down, the breast tissue spreads out evenly along the chest wall. Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your fingers around your right breast gently in small circular motions covering the entire breast area and armpit.
Use light, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.
Source: www.nationalbreastcancer.org

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