Screening tests every woman needs

For you to be healthy, various systems in your body need to work together and work well. The problem is that you can't always judge how healthy you are by how well you feel. Take control of your health with routine screening tests like your yearly Health Check, a Pap smear every three years and, after 40, a mammogram every two years.

When you go for routine screening tests, you're rewarded with better knowledge about your health and the chance to improve it.

Screening tests for cancer

Breast cancer and cervical cancer are two of the most common cancers among women in South Africa. Luckily, there's a good chance of recovery if you catch them early. By knowing your body, what's normal for you and going for regular screenings, you can prevent cancer from sneaking up on you.

Pap smears and HPV tests can detect cervical cancer early

Early-stage cervical cancer often has no symptoms. That's why regular screening is so important - it helps to detect early changes in the cervix before they develop into more serious conditions or cancer. Cervical cancer screening is done through a Pap smear or a Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) test.

• A Pap smear looks for abnormal cells in the cervix that may lead to cancer. If your screening test is abnormal, it doesn't mean that you definitely have cancer. Most abnormal results are caused by an infection or the presence of treatable precancerous cells, rather than cancer itself.
• Female members of Discovery Health Medical Scheme have cover for a Pap smear every three years from our Screening and Prevention Benefit. Members who are at high risk, such as those living with HIV or those who have had abnormal Pap smear results, have access to yearly screenings.
• An HPV test checks for the presence of the HPV virus, which may lead to cervical cancer over time. Discovery Health recommends an HPV test for female members every five years, or every three years for those at high risk.

Mammograms reveal breast lumps that could be breast cancer

Women often detect breast lumps themselves before a doctor does. That's why it's so important to examine your breasts each month for abnormalities. From the age of 40, women are encouraged to go for breast cancer screenings, in the form of mammograms. A mammogram can detect breast lumps before you feel them.

Female members of Discovery Health Medical Scheme have cover for a mammogram every two years from the Screening and Prevention Benefit. Those who are at high risk of developing breast cancers can have their mammograms annually, as well as extra screening tests like a breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or a genetic test, where applicable.

Catch other conditions before they start with the Health Check

You can ward off certain conditions before they take hold. The Health Check measures your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol and calculates your body mass index (BMI). These screening tests work out your risk for chronic conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity.

Your health is unique to you, so we use the results of your individual Health Check to refer you to personalised condition-specific healthcare programmes if you need them. Our programmes give members and their Premier Plus GPs the tools they need to monitor and manage health conditions.

If you have a Health Check done and it shows you are at risk for developing certain conditions, and you're a member of Discovery Health Medical Scheme, you have cover for general screening tests and extra tests based on your age, sex and health profile. You'll then get tailored health goals to guide you on how to manage your health conditions.

Don't forget these other important screening tests

Along with the screenings already mentioned, there are other important checks that can help you stay on top of your overall health.

• Look after your mental wellbeing by doing a mental health assessment in the Discovery Health app. Your mental health matters just as much as your physical health
• Check your skin regularly for moles that change in size, shape or colour, or that start to itch or bleed. These could be signs of skin cancer and should be looked at by a doctor
• Screen for colorectal cancer every two years if you're between 45 and 75 years of age. This involves a simple test to check for blood in your stool. High-risk members have access to more regular colonoscopy screening

Let Personal Health Pathways guide you

Discovery Health Medical Scheme members can rely on Personal Health Pathways to stay on top of their recommended screening checks. This digital tool, available for free in the Discovery Health app, helps you understand which health actions to take - like when to go for a mammogram, Pap smear or colorectal cancer screening - based on your age, health history and risk factors.

Following these personalised health recommendations has already helped several members detect conditions like cervical and breast cancer early, when treatment is most effective.

Don't delay. Have your screening tests to catch conditions early before they have the chance to catch you!

Sources

Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA). Women & cancer

Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd, registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised financial services provider and administrator of medical schemes. Discovery Health Medical Scheme, registration number 1125, administered by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd, registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised financial services provider and administrator of medical schemes. The Discovery Health app is brought to you by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd. Personal Health Pathways is brought to Discovery Health Medical Scheme members by Discovery Health. Personal Health Pathways is enabled by the combination of Discovery Health's healthcare capabilities and Vitality's behaviour change expertise.