In today’s busy life, it’s important for Indian women to get regular health checkups to find and prevent problems as early as possible. In recent years, Indian women have focused more on preventive health care. In 2023, approximately 48% of women reported prioritizing their health through regular checkups and preventive care, an increase from 45% in 2022 and 40% in 2021.
Only 37% of women in India have access to quality healthcare, compared to 67% of men, according to a study by AIIMS and other institutions. In today's fast-paced world, women's wellness is important, and preventative screening allows women to take control of their health. So, let’s discuss preventive health checkups, their importance and tests that every Indian woman should consider taking to stay healthy and safe from common health conditions.
Importance of Preventative Health Checkups & Screening Tests
Preventative health screenings are extremely important to stay healthy as you age. Statistics show around 30% of women in India have at least one chronic morbidity that affects their lives. Additionally, 9% of women in India have two or more morbidities, and this is only considering the women who have been diagnosed so far.
Given the huge population of the country and the disparity in access to healthcare across the country, the actual number could be much higher. So, to help you live a healthier life, you must go through preventative screenings and checkups, and to prove the benefits to you, here are some of the most important reasons you should opt for preventative health checkups.
- Early Detection of Chronic Conditions: Early detection of chronic medical conditions allows you to treat the condition easily. Be it through medicinal treatment or simple lifestyle changes and dietary modifications. A lot of chronic illnesses are aggravated due to lifestyle and dietary habits; identifying these problems at an early stage can help you reduce your health risks over time and live a healthier life overall.
- Better Medical Outcomes: With preventative checkups, you can prevent difficult health conditions and also treat conditions in their early stages. This allows for better medical outcomes overall and helps you stay healthier. Conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases can all prove to be fatal if left unchecked. With preventative screening and lifestyle changes, it is possible to alter the course of disease progression and prevent the condition from becoming chronic and fatal over time.
- Better Quality of Life: Most health problems cause symptoms that hamper your quality of life. Apart from seasonal flu and fever, the symptoms of most other conditions are considered a part of growing older. But it generally isn’t. In most cases, symptoms that affect your health are caused by underlying health conditions, even if they initially seem harmless. With preventative screening and health checkups, you can treat the symptoms that affect your quality of life and prevent serious illnesses in the process.
- Improved Lifespan: When you are able to prevent chronic conditions, it improves your lifespan and allows you to live a healthy life without having to go through medical treatments constantly.
- Lower Medical Costs: Preventative health checkups can help you diagnose conditions early, and in the process, it allows you to reduce the need to go through extensive medical treatment. With early diagnosis, you can avoid having to go through expensive surgical or modern therapeutic treatments. By taking preventative measures, you will also help reduce the pressure on the medical infrastructure of the country, which will help you get the required treatment in time when you need it.
Preventative Health Checkups That Every Indian Woman Must Go Through
Breast Cancer Screening
Breast cancer is very common among Indian women. Finding it early makes treatment more effective and increases survival chances. Regular screenings can catch cancer at an early stage when it’s most treatable. The tests commonly used to screen for breast cancer are mentioned below.
- Mammogram: A mammogram is a specialised X-ray that captures detailed images of the breast. Women aged 40 and older should get a mammogram every 1-2 years. Women with a family history of breast cancer should talk to their doctor about starting screenings earlier and possibly doing them more often. Mammograms can find cancer before symptoms appear, which can lead to better treatment options and medical outcomes.
- Breast Self-Examination (BSE): Besides mammograms, women should check their breasts themselves every month. This involves looking for any changes, like lumps or unusual discharge. Breast self-exams (BSE) are not a replacement for mammograms but are an important extra step for early detection and health awareness. However, in India, only 0.9% of women have had a breast exam to detect breast cancer. So, if you are over the age of 20, you should start self-performing this test to reduce your risk of breast cancer in the long run.
Cervical Cancer Screening
Cervical cancer is mainly caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The condition can be prevented and treated if found early. Regular screening tests for Women are important for spotting early signs of cervical cancer or diagnosing the condition at a precancerous stage. Some of the tests that are commonly used to screen for cervical cancer are mentioned below.
- Pap Smear: A Pap smear is a test where a doctor collects cells from the cervix to check for any abnormal changes. This test can detect early signs of cervical problems, including pre-cancerous conditions. Women should begin Pap smear tests at age 21, and if the results are normal, doctors will recommend that they have the test every three years. The procedure is quick, usually painless, and involves the use of a speculum to open the vagina gently and a small brush to collect cell samples from the cervix. Detecting abnormalities early with a Pap smear makes treatment simpler and more effective, significantly reducing the risk of cervical cancer.
- HPV Test: The HPV test checks for high-risk types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which can lead to cervical cancer. Women aged 30 and older should have an HPV test every 5 years. This test involves the same process as a Pap smear: a speculum is used to access the cervix, and a brush or swab collects cell samples. The HPV test can be done independently or combined with a Pap smear (co-testing). Co-testing is beneficial because it checks for both the virus and any cell changes, providing a more comprehensive evaluation of cervical health. Finding high-risk HPV early allows for close monitoring and timely intervention if needed.
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) of India, only 1.9% of women aged between 30 and 49 have ever undergone cervical cancer screening. This includes 2.2% of women in urban areas and 1.7% in rural areas. Increasing awareness about cervical cancer screening can help improve the survival rate of the condition for everyone.
Bone Density Test
Osteoporosis weakens bones, increasing their susceptibility to fractures, especially in postmenopausal women. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 30%
of women after menopause have osteoporosis. In India, about 61 million people have osteoporosis, and 80% of them are women. Early bone density screenings can help prevent serious complications like fractures and the need to undergo extensive surgical treatments later in life.
- DEXA Scan (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry): This scan measures how strong and dense your bones are. Women aged 65 and older should have a bone density test to assess their bone health. If you have risk factors like a family history of osteoporosis, previous fractures, or long-term use of medications like steroids, you may need to start testing earlier. During the scan, you will lie still on a padded table while a machine with a moving arm passes low-dose X-rays over your body, focusing on key areas like your hip and spine. The scan is painless, takes between 10 and 30 minutes, and doesn’t require any special preparation.
Blood Pressure Check
High blood pressure, or hypertension, often goes unnoticed because it doesn’t have obvious symptoms. However, it can cause serious conditions such as heart disease and stroke. Regular monitoring and a healthy lifestyle are key to managing it effectively.
- Blood Pressure Monitoring: Women should measure their blood pressure at least once every two years. Those with risk factors like diabetes or a family history of hypertension should check it more frequently. Regular monitoring helps detect high blood pressure early, enabling timely lifestyle changes or treatment to maintain heart health. An optimal blood pressure is usually around 120/80 mmHg. Blood pressure monitoring is made easier today with digital blood pressure monitors that are readily available. You can also monitor your blood pressure with smartwatches and other smart devices today, which makes it easier to regularly keep your blood pressure levels in check.
Diabetes Screening
24 out of 1,000 women in India have diabetes, which affects around 8.2 million women between the ages of 15 and 49. Regular screenings help find diabetes early and manage it better. Here are some of the common blood tests that are used to screen for diabetes.
- Fasting Blood Sugar Test: Women aged 45 and older should have their blood sugar levels checked every three years. If you have a family history of diabetes, you should start testing sooner and do it more often. A normal fasting blood sugar level is between 70 and 99 mg/dL.
- HbA1c Test: This test indicates your average blood sugar level over the last three months. It helps diagnose diabetes and check how well your blood sugar is being managed. Regular HbA1c tests can help keep diabetes under control and prevent complications. For most people, an HbA1c level below 5.7% is considered normal. Levels between 5.7% and 6.4% indicate prediabetes, and 6.5% or higher suggest diabetes.
Lipid Profile (Cholesterol Test)
High cholesterol can heighten your risk of heart disease and stroke. Regular cholesterol tests help you monitor your levels and make changes if needed.
Women aged 20 and above should have their cholesterol levels checked every 4-6 years. This test measures the levels of various fats in your blood, including HDL (good) cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides, which are essential for assessing heart health. You may need to fast for 9-12 hours beforehand to prepare. Regular lipid profile tests help monitor and manage cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease and maintaining cardiovascular health.
Thyroid Function Test
Thyroid problems are prevalent among women in India and can lead to symptoms like extreme fatigue, weight gain, and depression. A survey from 2019 to 2021 found that 2.7% of Indian women reported having a thyroid disorder or goitre. Regular screenings are essential for detecting and managing thyroid issues early. The test used to monitor your thyroid hormone levels is mentioned below.
- TSH Test (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone): Starting at age 35, women should get their thyroid levels checked every 5 years. This test measures the hormone that controls how the thyroid gland functions. More frequent testing may be necessary if you have thyroid symptoms or a family history of thyroid disease. Regular TSH tests help ensure your thyroid is working properly and allow for early intervention if problems arise.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Lastly, a Complete Blood Count (CBC) test gives a general overview of your health by checking the levels of different blood cells in your body. It can help you detect conditions like anaemia or infections.
- CBC Test: This test checks different components of your blood, including red and white blood cells and platelets. Regular CBC tests are important for tracking your overall health and spotting potential issues early.
Conclusion
Preventive health checkups are essential for maintaining women's wellness and detecting potential health issues early. These health screenings help ensure that Indian women can lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Making women's health a priority today leads to a brighter and healthier future for all women tomorrow. To learn more about women’s health problems and their treatment options, check out MASSH.
Our preventative and functional medicine treatment options allow women to opt for lifestyle and dietary changes to treat chronic health conditions without depending on medicinal treatment. Check out our website to learn more about preventative medicine and treatment at MASSH or visit us today to consult with our gynaecological experts.
Source: https://massh.in/
