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Every year, millions of lives are lost to conditions that are preventable or treatable, if diagnosed early
Silent killers like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer can be caught early through routine health screenings—improving outcomes and saving lives.
Diseases like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, and stroke are among the leading causes of death globally. Every year, millions of lives are lost to conditions that are preventable or treatable, if diagnosed early. These diseases often begin silently and progress over time without noticeable symptoms until they reach an advanced stage. That’s why screening is essential: it helps detect such diseases early so they can either be prevented or treated in time for better outcomes.
Dr. Anand Bhabhor, Additional Director, Critical Care, Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, shares all you need to know:
What Is Screening?
Screening is the process of checking for the presence of disease before symptoms appear. Early screening allows for:
Early detection
Timely treatment
Prevention of complications
A longer, healthier life
Who Should Get Screened?
Screening is recommended for:
Individuals aged 30–40 years and above
People with a family history of chronic illnesses
Those with lifestyle risk factors such as smoking, obesity, alcohol use, and poor diet
Women over 21 years, for cervical and breast cancer screening
Individuals with diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidaemia
People working in radioactive environments or other high-risk carcinogenic areas
Elderly individuals (50+ years) for screening of prostate, colon, and ovarian cancer
What Types Of Screening Are Recommended?
Hypertension: Regular blood pressure checks from age 18
Diabetes Mellitus: Fasting blood sugar and HbA1c from age 35, or earlier with family history
Heart Disease: Lipid profile and ECG starting at age 30–40 or earlier with risk factors
Breast Cancer: Mammography for women above 40, earlier with family history
Cervical Cancer: PAP smear and HPV test for women aged 21–65, every 3–5 years
Colon Cancer: Stool test and colonoscopy from age 45 or earlier if symptomatic
Lung Cancer: CT scan for smokers aged 40 and above
How to improve your lifestyle?
Eat home-cooked meals with less salt, sugar, and spice
Avoid packaged, processed, and outside food
Avoid soft drinks, cold drinks, and alcoholic beverages
Maintain ideal body weight
Engage in daily exercise (45–60 minutes)
Get 6–8 hours of quality sleep
Practice yoga, meditation, music, or any calming activity of choice
What can be done?
Raise awareness in the community about the importance of regular health check-ups
Target high-risk groups, including those with advanced age, poor lifestyle, and genetic risk
Promote preventive strategies: healthy eating, regular exercise, avoiding tobacco and alcohol
Improve access to screening, especially by offering free or affordable check-ups in underserved areas
Final Message
Prevention is better than cure.
Early diagnosis through regular screening dramatically improves outcomes and saves lives.
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More
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