Change Your Life in 30 Minutes: The Importance of Health Screening

By the team at Speedoc,

January 12, 2023

As we step into a brand new year, we reflect on how the previous year went, what we have achieved and how we could do better. However, one of the things we tend to overlook is our physical well-being.

Have we been prioritising our health? Is our body functioning at its peak performance or is it barely getting by? A quick way to get an overview of our health is through a health screening. Health screenings not only provide us with a peace of mind but they also allow us to take prompt steps in disease prevention, detection and/or treatment.

What do health screenings check for?

Diseases such as stroke, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases often do not display symptoms in the initial stages of development. Not forgetting the more common ailments such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Health screenings are our first line of defence against such “silent killers” – they offer us insights into our bodily functions in the absence of obvious indications and are key to early disease detection and treatment.

Early intervention against any disease involves a two-step process of screening and diagnostic tests.

Screening tests	Diagnostic tests
First step of disease intervention	Second step of disease intervention
Intended for asymptomatic people	Intended for symptomatic people
Detect risk of developing diseases	Confirm or eliminate results populated from screening test
Less invasive	More invasive

Health screening packages in Singapore fall under the category of screening tests and are extremely accessible to most people. In the event that any screening test results raise some concerns, your doctor may recommend more comprehensive diagnostic tests to be done.

What does a full health screening include?

A full health screening, also known as a full body checkup, involves different screening tests depending on your:

Age
Medical history
General well-being

A general health screening package usually involves a physical examination, anthropometric measurements (height, weight etc), and a urine test that screen for the following:

Blood count
Sugar levels
Cholesterol levels
Kidney function
Liver function

A more comprehensive screening package would include the aforementioned and additional tests to screen for specific parameters such as thyroid hormone levels, cancer markers and sexually transmitted diseases.

Here at Speedoc, we offer a wide range of affordable health screening packages specifically catered to your needs.

Vital package	Most basic health screening recommended for those who want a brief overview of their health conditions Tests include: - Diabetes screening - Full blood count - Thyroid function - Cholesterol profile
Essential package	General health screening recommended for those who want a more extensive understanding of their health Tests include: - Diabetes screening - Full blood count - Thyroid function - Cholesterol profile - Rheumatoid (rheumatoid arthritis screening) - Syphilis - Thyroid function - Hepatitis B
Comprehensive package	Recommended for individuals aged 30 and above who wish to get a comprehensive overview of their health Also recommended for those with family history of cancer, chronic diseases, and sexual health concerns Tests include: - Diabetes screening - Full blood count - Thyroid function - Cholesterol profile - Rheumatoid (rheumatoid arthritis screening) - Syphilis - Thyroid function - Hepatitis A, B and C - Hormone test - Tumour Markers
Sexual health screening	Recommended for sexually active individuals and/or those who are not vaccinated against Hepatitis Tests include: - Chlamydia - Herpes type 1 and 2 - Hepatitis A, B and C - Syphilis - HIV
Cancer screening	Recommended for individuals aged 30 and above who wish to get a comprehensive overview of their health Also recommended for those with family history of cancer, chronic diseases, and sexual health concerns Tests include: Diabetes screening Full blood count Thyroid function Cholesterol profile Rheumatoid (rheumatoid arthritis screening) Syphilis Thyroid function Hepatitis A, B and C Hormone test Tumour Markers
HIV screening	Recommended for sexually active individuals and/ or those who have suspected exposure to the human immunodeficiency viruses.

As your comfort and privacy is our top priority, all health screening services rendered by Speedoc are conducted by a trained nurse in the comfort of your home. Each screening takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes, and you will receive a personalised health report in no more than three working days.

Note: After making an appointment using our Speedoc app, you will be required to fill in a health screening questionnaire. Our nurse will also be in contact with you to notify you of any fasting requirements prior to the day of your health screening.

What diseases should you be screened for?

The type of screenings and tests are largely dependent on your age, family history, and general health condition. The following table shows a list of various age-specific screening tests that are recommended by MOH:

Age	Recommended to screen for
20-30 years old	Cardiovascular diseases Cervical cancer High blood pressure Obesity
40 years old	Cardiovascular diseases Cervical cancer Cholesterol Diabetes High blood pressure
50 years old	Breast cancer Cardiovascular diseases Cervical cancer Cholesterol Colon cancer Diabetes High blood pressure
60 years old and above	Breast cancer Cardiovascular diseases Cholesterol Colon cancer Diabetes High blood pressure Obesity Osteoporosis Prostate cancer

How often should you do a full body checkup?

Similarly, the frequency for a full body checkup is also dependent on your age, family history, and general health condition. General health screenings are recommended as such:

Once every 2 to 3 years if you are in good health and under the age of 50
Once every year if you are in good health and over the age of 50

If you have been diagnosed with chronic diseases such as diabetes or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or if you possess any risk factors that may predispose you to certain illnesses, you are advised to visit a doctor for regular follow-ups.

Dos and don’ts before a health screening

Fasting: Most health screenings require you to fast for at least 8 hours prior to your blood test – your doctor will advise on what is necessary.
Medical history: Bring along your past medical records, if any, for a more accurate analysis.
Medications: Stop taking diabetes medication the day of your health screening and stop taking any medication that may affect your blood pressure 1-2 days before your health screening.
Timing: Women should schedule their health screenings (especially for screening packages that include urine or stool analysis and pap smears) approximately 5 days before or after menstruation.
Sleep: Get a good amount of sleep before your health screening as a lack of sleep may result in blood pressure fluctuations. Clothes: Wear comfortable, non-restrictive clothing when going for your health screening.

Perfume/deodorant: Do not wear any perfume or deodorant before your health screening as these can cause inaccurate mammogram readings.
Exercise: Do not exercise or engage in strenuous activities before a health screening as this can lead to an increase in heart rate and decrease in potassium levels.
Alcohol/caffeinated drinks: Refrain from consuming any alcohol or caffeinated drinks like coffee or soft drinks as they may increase your blood pressure and interfere with test results.
Pregnant: Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or if you suspect that you are pregnant as test readings may vary for expectant mothers. Additionally, x-rays will not be carried out for pregnant women.