What should healthy adults be screened for regularly?

[JonnyBoy12]

We all know that prevention is better than cure and lots of people have died from diseases that could have been cured if they had been found sooner. What exactly are we supposed to do if we are healthy and do not know we have got anything? I am a 39 year old male who does not have any major health probems but I have heard of Wellwoman and Wellman clinics. What exactly are those and what do they screen for?

Thanks in advance for your speedy and helpful replies and hopefully you may be able to save someone's life with your sensible answer.

[DTCwordfan]

lunacy.

[ubasses]

My Husbands severe hypertension and hypercholestrolism were found. BP 200/140 and cholestrol 10.6. He didn't have a clue.

[cazzz1975]

I think they screen for early signs of conditions more common at an older age like diabetes, heart disease, cholesterol, various cancers (like prostate/breast ect) and silent conditions like high blood pressure

[rowanwitch]

not screening but I hope you check your crown jewels for lumps and bumps regularly... that is the main one for younger males... testicular cancer is very much curable if caught early

[Wak]

It's surprising how often you hear of people collapsing and dying with a burst aneurysm once you know about it!
I was offered a free aneurysm scan for the over 65's in 1996 by my local GP surgery which I accepted and they found that mine was over-sized.
I think a nurse from the hospital wasn't very busy so they farmed her out for the week!!!
I had the operation a couple of weeks later and have been fine ever since.
Since then I have never seen or heard of any similar scans and believe that most "faulty" aneurysms are found when x-raying or screening for something else. If your aneurysm bursts then it's fatal unless you happen to be on the operating table already.
I think an aneurysm scan for the over 65's is a must together with a prostate check.
That random check was certainly very lucky for me.

[Sqad]

Wak....that is quite an interesting post.

Abdominal aneurysms under about 5 cms in diameter, very rarely rupture and it is the larger ones that pose the danger.

Diagnosis depends upon Ultrasound and MRI with intravenous imaging, the former will show the presence of an aneurysm but not the size or extent.
MRI with dye intravenous imaging has it's dangers.

[Sqad]

The bottom line being......the NHS cannot afford this.

[Sqad]

Wak....since my post i have done some research and it transpires that some trusts started pilot trials in 2008, but the results have yet to be published.

It will boil down to how many that are picked up need treatment and indeed how many are operable.

[vivandorron]

DT has made a good point.

I had a friend who had an aneurysm and I kept conveying him to hospital for the Specialist to keep a check on things. The reports always suggested that his condition hadn't reached a stage requiring an operation.

Consequently, he had to wait until he was rushed to hospital when it ruptured and of course he died.

Sometimes it's better not to know if one has a time bomb which is ticking away. Especially if Specialists/Consultants are more interested in full clinics than performing operations.

Ron.

[Sqad]

vivandorron.....I presume that your comments re time bomb, just referred to aneurysms?

<<<Especially if Specialists/Consultants are more interested in full clinics than performing operations. >>>

Believe me, the LAST thing that Specialists/Consultants are interested in is "FULL CLINICS"

[Ankou]

it really depends on age and family history.

for instance, anyone over the 40 and with such hisory should get checked out for:

http://www.thesun.co.....html?OTC-RSS&ATTR=TV

[Old_Geezer]

One is in danger of worrying oneself to death. I guess whatever the private clinics offer in their 'all inclusive packages' are probably reasonable selections, for those who wish to pay for peace of mind.

[vivandorron]

Squad....I am not seeking to have an argument on this matter about full clinics. The knowledge that I have about the NHS is somewhat limited to the fact that my Father retired as the Deputy Group Secretary of six hospitals and my brother-in law was a highly respected Consultant/Gynaecologist who was 'struck-off' for performing private operations in NHS hospitals.

Let's leave it at that, because I doubt that AB's Ed would allow me to say anymore; for fear of libel being published.

Ron.

[anneasquith]

ron. what a very interesting post ^^^, but i realise you are unable to expand on the details.

[Sqad]

Ron...OK let's forget the full clinics but my other point re. your comments just relate to aneurysms .....is that correct?

[vivandorron]

Squad.......Short answer..."No".

Anyway, if I were to add further to my comments, it could be alleged that many of my facts are based on hearsay, because my father and brother-in-law are both dead. Furthermore, I wish to refrain from involving personal friends who are still alive.

Perhaps I should be grateful that at my advanced age I do not feel it necessary to have MOT's and just keep going from day to day.

You may acknowledge that members of the Medical Profession do not always agree with each other; so little chance of such folk agreeing with me.-)

Ron.

[Sqad]

Ron....right.;-

P.S There is nothing against doing private operations in NHS hospitals.

[sandyRoe]

Wouldn't a private operation in a NHS hospital push some poor needy person further down the queue?

[Sqad]

sandy..PP's are also needy and also pay NI.
NHS hospitals delegate certain beds just for PP's as they need the money.
It also keeps the consultant on the premises and not at a faraway private hospital.

[Wak]

Just to clarify my position, it started with a simple letter from the GP and making an appointment. The nurse did a 5 minute "jelly on the belly" scan and recorded the results on a computer which was later examined by a consultant/surgeon at the hospital. This resulted later in an MRI scan which obviously showed an enlargement of the aorta and finally the operation.
A close friend of mine had an operation for a cancer a few years ago and was later scanned to check the progress of the operation. This led to his aneurysm being found and he had to wait until it reached a certain size before they operated. You could say that he was lucky to have had the cancer operation otherwise they may never have found the aneurysm??
I think we were both lucky to have been diagnosed at the right time.
Unfortunately, the husband of my wife's friend was sat in a Motorway service station going on holiday when his aneurysm burst with no warning whatsoever. Obviously, he was one of the many unlucky ones.
Wak.