General 'Service'/Diagnostics Health Check.

[Mothersruin]

I turn 50 next year and while I've had general observations down as when I've been to the docs (I rarely go), I thought it might be worth while investing in a comprehensive check to see how things are and if I need to get on top of stuff.

So - two questions.

1. What should be looked at?

Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, Heart Scan, ECG, Body Fat measure, Liver & Kidney functions, Chest Scan, Prostate, etc...

Is there anything else that should be looked at or is there stuff above that's unrealistic or not needed?

2. Where, by Who and How Much should I expect to pay?

Thanks in advance chaps.

[Twentyfour7]

Your GP will do all that you need, ask for a health check. You are entitled to it after 40 and it's free. They will advise on whether to do a prostate check.

They don't routinely do chest xrays as no evidence to do these unless exposed to certain occupational substances over long periods

Call your surgery to enquire

[The_Doc]

What you're asking about is Screening.

The NHS does screening, when it is proven and effective. And screening isn't a full body MRI plus all the blood tests currently invented every 5 years

The Wilson criteria for a screening program or test stresses the following:

the condition should be an important health problem
the natural history of the condition should be understood
there should be a recognisable latent or early symptomatic stage
there should be a test that is easy to perform and interpret, acceptable, accurate, reliable, sensitive and specific
there should be an accepted treatment recognised for the disease
treatment should be more effective if started early
there should be a policy on who should be treated
diagnosis and treatment should be cost-effective
case-finding should be a continuous process

So many of the tests we have fall short on these, for example PSA for prostatic disease, serum amylase for pancreatic cancer,

But cholesterol level is one, as is blood pressure, BMI loosely,

If you perform yearly MRIs, you'll end up killing some people with either surgery or chemotherapy, for lumps they didn't need removed, which may well have gone on to do nothing. MRI is quite sensitive, but often not very specific. Google these.

Executive summary, leave it to your GP if you have no symptoms. Don't leave it to a "for profit", "healthcare", scanning company

[Mothersruin]

Thanks - will ask about it at the local GPs.