5 essential medical tests for optimal women’s health

MANILA, Philippines - Women’s health affects the well-being of families and the entire nation. That is why it is important that their bodies must be well taken care of.

According to MediCard president Dr. Nicky Montoya, taking preventive exams is the first step to achieving optimal health.

“By submitting themselves to these vital medical tests, they will know their health status. This knowledge will not only help them improve their well-being and take control of their body.”

Montoya identifies these important medical tests for women:

• Breast exam and mammogram

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women worldwide and the leading cause of death among those aged 35 to 54. The Philippines also has the highest incidence rate of breast cancer in Asia.

This fatal disease can be prevented by clinical breast exam and mammography. Breast assessment looks for lumps and irregularities in the breasts while mammography detects masses and/or microcalcifications of cancer using low-energy X-rays. Women are recommended to take these tests once a year starting at age 40 when the risk for breast cancer increases.

The MediCard Lifestyle Center Breast Clinic is an outpatient facility that offers breast exam, mammography and consultation with breast specialists before undergoing any diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. It is also one of the few local health facilities in the country that offer mammotome, a vacuum-assisted biopsy that allows doctors to completely remove a whole mass in the breast without subjecting the patient to open surgery.

• Pap smear and HPV test

Pap smear and HPV test are often combined to screen cervical cancer, the second most common and the fifth deadliest cancer among women. A Pap test examines pre-cancerous and cancerous cells in the endocervical canal of the female reproductive system while an HPV test checks for the DNA of the human papillomavirus, the virus that causes cervical cancer.

Pap smear can be done as early as age 21, particularly if you are sexually active, while it’s best to take an HPV test along with a Pap smear test at age 30 or older.

• Blood pressure test

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a risk factor for heart disease, the number one killer of women. This medical condition can be detected by a blood pressure (BP) test, which measures the pressure in the arteries as the heart pumps. 

Women with normal blood pressure (120/80 or lower) may take the test at least every two years while those with blood pressure 140/90 or higher are advised to discuss treatment with their doctors.

• Bone mineral and density test

Osteoporosis, a progressive bone disease characterized by a decrease in bone mass and density which can lead to painful fractures, typically occurs in women after menopause. This can be detected by tests like dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA or dexa), which uses X-ray beams to determine bone mineral density. 

• Comprehensive weight and fat assessment

A comprehensive weight and fat assessment is significant these days when body image issues are causing a lot of women to eat unhealthily and suffer from malnutrition.

The assessment, which gives valuable insight into women’s overall health, includes measurement of body weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, body age, resting metabolism, visceral fat, and skeletal muscle. Based on the result, doctors can recommend the right medications and lifestyle changes to restore the body to health.

While preventive health examination is important to monitor health and prevent diseases, there are many women who do not go to regular medical checkups because of the costly fees. But these reasons should not become excuses.

Aside from the MediCard Lifestyle Center, MediCard also has free-standing clinics that offer convenient consultations, diagnostic and lab tests, and medical services. These clinics are established to address the preventive and emergency healthcare needs of everyone.

For more information, visit www.medicardphils.com.