HomeHealth TopicsWellness LifestyleHealth Screening
Back to Wellness Lifestyle
Health Screening
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Wellness Lifestyle

Health Screening

Screenings detect diseases before symptoms appear, allowing earlier and easier treatment.

Overview

Screenings are tests that look for diseases before you have symptoms. Screening tests can find diseases early, when they're easier to treat. You can get some screenings in your doctor's office. Others need special equipment, so you may need to go to a different office or clinic.

Commonly Screened Conditions

  • Breast cancer and cervical cancer in women
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Osteoporosis
  • Overweight and obesity
  • Prostate cancer in men

Determining Which Tests You Need

Which tests you need depends on your age, your sex, your family history, and whether you have risk factors for certain diseases.

After a Screening Test

After a screening test, ask when you will get the results and whom to talk to about them.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Frequently Asked Questions

High readings on a single visit are called “white coat hypertension.” Your doctor may repeat the test at home or schedule a 24‑hour ambulatory monitor. If the readings remain high, they’ll discuss lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, weight loss) and may prescribe medication. Follow up in 4–6 weeks to assess progress.
Guidelines recommend mammograms every two years for women aged 50–74, with earlier screening for high‑risk groups. Pap tests are done every three years for women 21–65, or every five years if combined with HPV testing. Men over 50 should discuss prostate cancer screening with their doctor; it’s a shared decision based on family history and overall health.===
Your primary care provider will recommend screenings that match your risk profile. For example, men over 50 should consider a colonoscopy, and women over 21 should have a Pap test every three years. If you have a family history of breast or colorectal cancer, your doctor may suggest earlier or more frequent screenings. Discuss your personal and family medical history to tailor a schedule that fits your needs.
During a colonoscopy, a flexible tube with a camera is inserted into your rectum to examine the colon. You’ll be sedated, so you won’t feel pain. The procedure usually takes 30–60 minutes. Afterward, you’ll need to rest for a few hours, avoid driving, and may experience mild cramping or bloating. Most people return to normal activities the next day.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

kontakt@hittavard.se

Ⓒ 2024. Alla rättigheter förbehålls av juxt ab

Sök
Om ossVillkor och policyVanliga frågorKontakta oss