Five for 50

Healthnetwork presents five points to consider as you near your big five-oh . . .

You’re 50 years old and you feel great. Like your fellow Legates, you’re focused on your career, your family and your faith. So why schedule an appointment with your doctor? Screenings save lives. Here are five diagnostic tests that are particularly important during this decade.

Skin cancer screening

Skin cancer accounts for at least half of all cancers and effects nearly 1 million Americans each year. The deadliest skin cancer is melanoma. Although it accounts for less than 5% of skin cancer cases, it’s responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths. A full-body screening by your primary care physician or dermatologist is an important step in identifying skin cancers. And by engaging in periodic self-checks, you’ll increase the likelihood of identifying potentially harmful growths. Consider your ABC’s as warning signs when examining growths: Asymmetry, irregular Border, variation of Color, Diameter > 6mm, and Elevation.

Cholesterol screening

The National Institutes of Health report that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of men and women in the U.S. The higher your blood cholesterol level is, the greater your risk of developing heart disease. Doctors use a simple blood test, known as a lipid panel, to measure triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL “bad” cholesterol, and HDL “good” cholesterol. A lipid panel should be drawn every five years beginning at age 25. Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides are treatable by lifestyle modifications and, if necessary, lipid-lowering medications.

Colorectal cancer screening

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., according the American Cancer Society. If diagnosed early, the relative five-year survival rate is 90%. In order to keep your colon healthy, a screening colonoscopy is recommended every 10 years beginning at age 50. Colonoscopy looks for polyps, colon cancer and other diseases in the large intestine.

Prostate cancer screening

Every day 500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Declining mortality trends suggest that early detection using the prostate-specific antigen test (PSA) or digital rectal exam (DRE) may be beneficial. Beginning at age 50, a baseline level should be drawn for men and monitored annually. A high PSA level may indicate prostate cancer, but the rate of change of PSA levels may be a more important indicator than the absolute value. If PSA levels are rising quickly, further testing is needed.

Breast cancer screening

A screening mammogram is recommended annually, beginning at age 40. Screenings reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer, especially for those aged 50 and older. Conventional mammography stores the image on X-ray film while digital mammography has the advantage of storing the image on a computer, allowing the radiologist to enhance the image for further evaluation. In addition, some studies suggest that digital mammography may be better for detecting cancer in women with dense breasts.

There is no better way to stay healthy than through prevention. Regular screenings help you monitor changes in your health that may ensure early detection. For more about health screening guidelines, or to schedule an executive physical, please contact Healthnetwork Foundation.

Susan Locke, MD, is Healthnetwork Foundation’s medical director.

Healthnetwork is a Legatus membership benefit, a health care “concierge service” that provides members and their families with access to some of the most respected hospitals in the world. One Call Starts It All: (866) 968-2467 or (440) 893-0830. Email: [email protected]