As mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, and often a family’s primary caregiver, women shoulder heavy responsibilities from day to day. Unfortunately, this could result in not enough attention being given to their health and wellbeing as is ideal.

One way to start looking after yourselves is by going for regular health screenings. While screenings in and of themselves may not necessarily prevent disease, early detection can maximise chances of recovery and lead to a positive outcome.

Here are eight essential areas all women should look out for.

1. Pap smear

This is crucial for identifying early signs of cervical cancer. The procedure involves your doctor collecting a small number of cells from the cervix and sending them to a laboratory to check for abnormalities.

Regardless of your sexual history or activity, women aged between 20 and 65 should be screened for cervical cancer every three years following two consecutive normal pap-smear results tested a year apart.

All sexually active women aged between 30 and 49 should also screen for human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection that causes cervical cancer, every five years. This is also done using pap-smear specimens.

Beyond age 65, there is generally no testing required if you have had at least three normal pap-smear results in a row, are not sexually active, and have not had any abnormal test results in the past.

2. Breast cancer screening

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide, including in Malaysia. Early detection may improve treatment outcomes, and regular mammograms are the best way to do this.

Those between age 50 and 74, and women who are at higher risk such as those with a family history of breast cancer, are recommended to go for mammograms at least once every two years.

Mammogram screening for women below age 40 is generally not done as frequently since pre-menopausal women have denser breast tissue, thereby reducing the effectiveness of this screening tool.

Still, regardless of age, all women are encouraged to perform a monthly breast self–examination at home to detect unusual changes.

3. Bone mineral densitometry

Bone-density screening helps detect osteoporosis, where the body loses too much bone, makes too little of it, or both. Bones become more porous, lose their strength, and may break more easily.

Women, especially those above age 65, are more prone to osteoporosis than men.

A DEXA scan uses low doses of radiation to measure the amount of calcium and other minerals in one’s bones, especially around the hip and spine as those with osteoporosis have an increased risk of fracturing these regions.

Screening can also help predict the risk of future fractures by looking at bone density and existing risk factors such as body weight, alcohol and tobacco use, and so on.

4. Colorectal cancer screening

Most colon cancers originate from polyps or abnormal masses that grow on the inner lining of the large intestine. As cancerous polyps can spread to other parts of the body, early detection and removal is crucial.

Colorectal cancer screening should be done for those between the ages of 50 and 75 for the average-risk population.

Colonoscopies are the standard testing method where a long, flexible tube with a tiny video camera is inserted via the rectum, enabling direct visualisation of the entire colon. This test can be done every 10 years after the first normal screening.

Faecal occult blood testing helps detect hidden blood in the stool that may indicate colon cancer or polyps. While this test is easy, cheap, and painless, it does not address early pre-cancerous growths that may be present.

The presence of blood in the stool will require a follow-up colonoscopy.

5. Skin cancer screening

Skin cancers account for 2.6% of cancer cases in Malaysia. There are two types: non-melanoma, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma; and melanoma. The latter is aggressive and lethal because of how quickly it can spread.

Note that not all skin lesions are dangerous, and screenings are done to detect problems before they become cancerous. Nevertheless, everyone should check their skin periodically for new moles, or changes in colour, size, shape, thickness and texture of existing moles.

Additionally, crusty sores that don’t heal or small lumps that are red, pale, or opaque should be checked with a doctor.

6. Blood pressure check

Hypertension significantly increases your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, heart attack, peripheral arterial disease, and kidney failure.

Although hypertension predominantly affects males, women – especially those in the menopausal age group – are at risk of developing it, too. Get your blood pressure checked and controlled at an early stage, if necessary.

7. Cholesterol screening

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Malaysia, and high cholesterol is a well-established cardiovascular risk factor. All individuals aged 30 and above should undergo blood screening, including a complete lipid profile, on an annual basis.

Those who are at higher risk owing to factors such as obesity, diabetes, drinking or smoking, or family history should be screened from as young as age 18.

A typical lipid profile would analyse your total cholesterol, including LDL (so-called “bad” cholesterol), HDL (“good” cholesterol), and triglycerides.

8. Blood sugar checks

According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019, there are approximately 3.9 million Malaysians living with diabetes. This condition increases the risk of an individual developing other complications such as heart problems, kidney disease, blindness, neuropathy or nerve damage, foot ulcers, and amputation if not managed early on.

Risk-based screening for prediabetes and type-2 diabetes in adults should be performed in those aged 30 and older. A blood glucose test can be done after a fasting period of at least eight hours, while a HbA1C test measures your average blood sugar levels over the past three months.

Screening during pregnancy is done based on risk factors such as obesity and family history, or if a woman has had diabetes during a previous pregnancy. An oral glucose tolerance test is often used to screen for gestational type-2 diabetes.