Medical check-ups: The tests you should have according to your age

From early detection of serious illnesses to the slightest change in our organism, regular medical check-ups are vitally important, as they help us to stay healthy and alert us to any potential problems so that we can tackle them in time. In this article, we will explore with Quirónsalud Torrevieja the importance of medical check-ups, when it is necessary to have a check-up and why it is essential not to forget about them for our wellbeing.

Why have an annual check-up

According to Quirónsalud Torrevieja, thanks to medical check-ups we can make a general assessment of our state of health and detect illnesses early on, even before symptoms appear that make us feel unwell.

If what we want is a general check-up, the specialities we should choose are Family Medicine or Internal Medicine. However,

there are also more specific check-ups such as gynaecological, urological, sports... and each one is the responsibility of a specific speciality.

"The tests depend on each patient. We must take into account not only age and sex, but also family and personal history, which in some cases may increase the likelihood of suffering from certain diseases", says Dr. Gemma Ramón, head of Medical Check-ups at Quirónsalud Torrevieja.

What diseases do medical checkups help to detect?

"The check-ups are very useful, for example, to detect diseases that increase cardiovascular risk; these diseases are usually asymptomatic at the beginning and increase the likelihood of heart problems, thrombosis... They are also useful in some types of cancer that can be detected early, considerably increasing the chances of treatment with a good prognosis," says Gemma Ramón.

At what age should check-ups begin?

"It is advisable at any age. Just as regular check-ups are carried out during childhood, they should also be done during adulthood. What changes, depending on the age, are the physical examinations and the recommended complementary tests", explains Dr. Ramón.

What are the essential early detection tests depending on our age?

- In the case of women, gynaecological check-ups are essential:

- On the one hand, carrying out a cytology test that helps us to detect possible malignant cells in the cervix. This test should be done from the age of 25 or three years after starting sexual relations.

- On the other hand, the breasts should be monitored by performing self-examinations from the age of 20 and with complementary tests: ultrasound from the age of 30 and mammography from the age of 40.

- In the case of men, an assessment of the prostate should be carried out from the age of 45, with a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test.

- In addition, in both sexes it is advisable to screen for colon cancer from the age of 45 with a faecal occult blood test.

What about after the age of 50?

According to the experts, from the age of 50 a check-up should include a complete blood and urine analysis, faecal occult blood test, basic imaging tests and electrocardiogram.

In addition, as mentioned in the previous point, men will need a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) and urological ultrasound, and women will need cytology, gynaecological ultrasound, mammography and breast ultrasound.

The aim of the Quirónsalud Torrevieja Check-up Unit is to detect risk factors that allow any health alteration to be diagnosed, identified and prevented.