In your 50s-70s? Health Checks for Every Body at Every Age
Celebrating a milestone birthday? Your recommended health checks at every age (50s-60s+)
Whether it is as purposeful as a New Year’s resolution or simply a quiet moment of reflection, we all like to make sure we stay on course, however that may look.
We evaluate our performance at work, our relationships and our financial position, but how many of us actually evaluate our health?
What are health checks?
Health checks are routine screenings to help identify early warning signs of illness or disease. Depending on the screening, health checks could involve obtaining pathology samples, having a scan or a physical examination.
Why are health checks important?
Health checks are important for patients not experiencing any signs or symptoms of a condition. With early detection, treatment for an illness or disease may be more successful. There is also peace of mind in being proactive about your wellbeing.
Taking the ‘screening scaries’ away
We know health checks are not always high on your priority list, but they could be the difference between early intervention and a more challenging road.
We have compiled a comprehensive list of recommended health checks by age group and outlined what you can expect from each screening.
In your 50s?
Skin checks
- • Self-examination (looking for any new spots, changes to current spots, crusty sores that don’t heal) every three months for patients with a high risk of developing skin cancer
- • In-clinic checks recommended every six months for high-risk patients
- • Determine your risk of developing skin cancer
- • Noticed anything new or different? See us for a chat
Bone density scan
- • Men and women over the age of 50 are encouraged to consult their GP if they have risk factors for minimal trauma fractures. Some chronic medical conditions & long-term medication use may increase the risk of osteoporosis, which requires Bone Mineral Density scan
- • Please talk to your doctor if a Bone Mineral Density scan is rebatable under Medicare
- • What to expect from your screening
- • Have you been diagnosed with osteoporosis? We are here to help
Bowel/colorectal cancer screening
- • Screening every two years from age 50 to determine presence of non-visible blood in stool sample which may be a sign of bowel cancer
- • What to expect from your screening
- • Noticed any strange symptoms you would like to discuss? See us for a referral
Breast screen
- • Recommended every two years for people with a low risk of developing breast cancer
- • Recommended screening from age 40 if you have positive family history or decide after consulting doctors for risk assessment.
- • Learn more about your risk level
- • What to expect from your screening
- • See us if you would like to discuss any unusual symptoms
Blood pressure reading
- • Recommended every year
- • This can test for reactions to medication and can be interpreted in the context of an absolute cardiovascular disease assessment
- • Do you have high blood pressure? We are here to help
Lipid profile
- • Lipid profile (blood test) every two years to monitor your cholesterol levels and assist in calculating your risk of developing cardiovascular disease
- • If you have a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease, you are advised to repeat every 12 months
- • Have high cholesterol? We are here to help
Heart health check
- • See us for a referral for a heart health check every two years
- • This screening checks for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or kidney disease
- • Your doctor will check your blood pressure and will request blood and urine tests
Type 2 diabetes screening
- • Screening every year if your doctor places you at high risk
- • Fasting blood test measuring glucose
- • What to expect from your screening
- • Diagnosed with diabetes? We are here to help
Kidney health check
- • Your doctor will request a blood test, urine test and a blood pressure reading to monitor for signs of kidney disease
- • Every 6 months to one year if you have diabetes or high blood pressure
- • Every year if you have risk factors for kidney disease (lifestyle & family history)
Cervical screening test
- • Recommended every five years for people with a cervix
- • This tests for the presence of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which can cause cervical cancer
- • What to expect from your screening
In your 60s?
Skin checks
- • Self-examination (looking for any new spots, changes to current spots, crusty sores that don’t heal) every three months for patients with a high risk of developing skin cancer
- • In-clinic checks recommended every six months for high-risk patients
- • Determine your risk of developing skin cancer
- • Noticed anything new or different? See us for a chat
Bone density scan
- • Men and women are encouraged to consult their GP if they have risk factors for minimal trauma fractures. Some chronic medical conditions & long-term medication use may increase the risk of osteoporosis, which requires Bone Mineral Density scan.
- • Please talk to your doctor if a Bone Mineral Density scan is rebatable under Medicare
- • What to expect from your screening
- • Have you been diagnosed with osteoporosis? We are here to help
Bowel/colorectal cancer screening
- • Screening every two years to determine presence of non-visible blood in stool sample which may be a sign of bowel cancer
- • What to expect from your screening
- • Noticed any strange symptoms you would like to discuss? See us for a referral
Breast screen
- • Recommended every two years for people with a low risk of developing breast cancer
- • Learn more about your risk level
- • What to expect from your screening
- • See us if you would like to discuss any unusual symptoms
Blood pressure reading
- • Recommended every year
- • This can test for reactions to medication and can be interpreted in the context of an absolute cardiovascular disease assessment
- • Do you have high blood pressure? We are here to help
Lipid profile
- • Lipid profile (blood test) every year to monitor your cholesterol levels and assist in calculating your risk of developing cardiovascular disease
- • If you have a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease, you are advised to repeat every 6-12 months
- • Have high cholesterol ? We are here to help
Heart health check
- • See us for a referral for a heart health check every year
- • This screening checks for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or kidney disease
- • Your doctor will check your blood pressure and will request blood and urine tests
Type 2 diabetes screening
- • Screening every year if your doctor places you at high risk
- • Fasting blood test measuring glucose
- • What to expect from your screening
- • Diagnosed with diabetes? We are here to help
Kidney health check
- • Your doctor will request a blood test, urine test and a blood pressure reading to monitor for signs of kidney disease
- • Every 6 months to one year if you have diabetes or high blood pressure
- • Every year if you have risk factors for kidney disease (lifestyle & family history)
Cervical screening test
- • Recommended every five years for people with a cervix
- • This tests for the presence of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which can cause cervical cancer
- • What to expect from your screening
Are you 60+?
Skin checks
- • Self-examination (looking for any new spots, changes to current spots, crusty sores that don’t heal) every three months for patients with a high risk of developing skin cancer
- • In-clinic checks recommended every six months for high-risk patients
- • Determine your risk of developing skin cancer
- • Noticed anything new or different? See us for a chat
Bone density scan
- • Men and women are encouraged to consult their GP if they have risk factors for minimal trauma fractures. Some chronic medical conditions & long-term medication use may increase the risk of osteoporosis, which requires Bone Mineral Density scan.
- • Please talk to your doctor if a Bone Mineral Density scan is rebatable under Medicare
- • What to expect from your screening
- • Have you been diagnosed with osteoporosis? We are here to help
Bowel/colorectal cancer screening
- • Screening every two years until age 74 to determine presence of non-visible blood in stool sample which may be a sign of bowel cancer
- • What to expect from your screening
- • Noticed any strange symptoms you would like to discuss? See us for a referral
Breast screen
- • Recommended every two years for patients with a low risk of developing breast cancer
- • Learn more about your risk level
- • What to expect from your screening
- • See us if you would like to discuss any unusual symptoms
Blood pressure reading
- • Recommended every year
- • This can test for reactions to medication and can be interpreted in the context of an absolute cardiovascular disease assessment
- • Do you have high blood pressure? We are here to help
Lipid profile
- • Lipid profile (blood test) every year to monitor your cholesterol levels and assist in calculating your risk of developing cardiovascular disease
- • If you have a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease, you are advised to repeat every 12 months
- • Have high cholesterol? We are here to help
Heart health check
- • See us for a referral for a heart health check every two years
- • This screening checks for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or kidney disease
- • Your doctor will check your blood pressure and will request blood and urine tests
Type 2 diabetes screening
- • Screening every year if your doctor places you at high risk
- • Fasting blood test measuring glucose
- • What to expect from your screening
- • Diagnosed with diabetes? We are here to help
Kidney health check
- • Your doctor will request a blood test, urine test and a blood pressure reading to monitor for signs of kidney disease
- • Every 6 months to one year if you have diabetes or high blood pressure
- • Every year if you have kidney disease risk factors (lifestyle & family history)
Cervical screening test
- • Recommended every five years until age 74 for people with a cervix
- • This tests for the presence of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which can cause cervical cancer
- • What to expect from your screening
Are health checks worth it?
General health checks may be an inconvenience or a little uncomfortable at times but are important for a clear snapshot of your health as well as screening for illness or disease. If you would like to speak to a doctor about getting a referral or where you are with your health, we have doctors available 24/7 via video for on demand or scheduled appointments.
We are here to help you stay well.