Huron Regional Medical Center

You Only Get One Life: Get Screened If you had the ability to learn about a health issue before it started or became a problem, you'd do it, right? Health screenings can provide that type of insight, and yet too few people take advantage of them. Health screenings help identify medical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or certain cancers, before symptoms begin. Tests and exams are generally based on age, gender, family history and whether you already have a risk factor for certain diseases. A Closer Look To gain a better understanding of what health screenings are and what they entail, consult the list below. Most of these screenings will be available at the 2012 SD Women's Expo sponsored by Huron Regional Medical Center on Saturday, Sept. 29. Blood pressure – Your blood pressure measures the amount of blood flowing through your blood vessels. This information is vital to your health because if the flow of blood is high or altered, it could indicate a serious condition, such as heart disease. Start these screenings at age 18 and repeat every two years, unless otherwise directed. Breast health – There are three main types of breast health examinations: breast self-exam, clinical breast exam and mammogram. These screenings are performed to identify suspicious lumps, growths or other abnormalities in the breasts, which could indicate cancer or early signs of the disease. Early detection increases your chance of receiving effective treatment. Self-exams should start at age 20 and be performed monthly, clinical breast exams should be performed every three years for women ages 20 to 39. Women 40 and older should have a yearly clinical breast exam and mammogram. Cholesterol – A major risk factor for coronary heart disease is high cholesterol. Your cholesterol can be examined by giving a small sample of your blood after fasting, which is then analyzed in a laboratory. Start at age 20, and screening frequency should be determined by a physician.

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