Early detection of chronic diseases likely with regular health screening

Regular health screenings may detect a disease in the early stages before it progressed to advanced stages where more complex treatments are needed, and full recovery may not be possible.

The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019 (NHMS 2019) revealed that only 49 percent of Malaysians underwent health screening in the previous 12 months. [https://iku.moh.gov.my/images/IKU/Document/REPORT/NHMS2019/Report_NHMS2019-NCD_v2.pdf] This finding highlights the need for regular health screenings as a crucial aspect of self-care.

According to Dr Wee Hui Yin, a resident medical officer: “Although health screenings should be tailored to each individual based on gender, age and family history, a general guideline is to have a comprehensive health screening annually, but for those with specific risk factors, more frequent screenings may be necessary.”

The Consensus Guide to Adult Health Screening produced by the Family Medicine Specialists Association of Malaysia is an evidence-based guide for various age groups. [https://pdfcoffee.com/screening-guidelines-for-primary-care-pdf-free.html] The comprehensive guide covers the epidemiology and magnitude of each medical condition, the benefits of screening and treatment, specific recommended screening tests, and possible adverse effects of screening. Table 1 and 2 show examples of screening tests for men and women as per the recommendations in the guide.

Advocating regular health screenings to patients is important because they are useful in detecting risk factors for chronic diseases and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. According to the NHMS 2019 findings, approximately 20 percent of adult Malaysians had type 2 diabetes, 30 percent had hypertension, nearly half were either overweight or obese; these NCDs were the leading cause of death and disability. NHMS 2019 also indicated that cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and coronary heart disease were the main causes of death.

Wee said, “Preventive health screenings help identify risk factors and markers associated with these conditions. An annual health check-up that includes blood tests for cardiovascular health, blood sugar, and blood pressure tests is essential.” She added that new patients should be requested to share their previous health and family history, including their past test results and current medications, for better care plan.

Early detection of chronic condition markers via health screenings such as blood tests allows for individuals to be aware of their health and empower themselves to take up a healthy lifestyle including eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly. Thus, their risk of developing chronic conditions may be significantly reduced and their healthcare professional can treat the markers before it is too late. For example, the National Cancer Registry showed that about 5 percent of women in Malaysia develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and up to 40 percent of new cases were already found to be in the late stages. [Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2006;7(3):369–374] Other health screenings such as low-dose computed tomography (CT) of the chest and cardiac calcium scoring are important for those at a high risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease, respectively.

Regarding common misconceptions about health screenings, Wee said she frequently heard from the lay public that “screenings are only necessary when symptoms appear or are time consuming or painful, and only for older people.” She dismissed them as not true and added that “health screenings aim to monitor and detect health problems before they worsen, even without symptoms, as they enable early detection and intervention. It is also important that people of all ages have screenings to establish baseline health information so that doctors can treat abnormalities or monitor for any risks of future health issues.”

Yet another scenario Wee encountered is that some people may be afraid or in denial that they might have the same condition, which their parents had or died from. This can cause them undue stress while waiting for the results, or they prefer not to know the results. Thus, they need to be reassured and made to understand that preventive health screenings are an important tool to determine their health status and associated risks which enable them to become active participants in their wellbeing process.

In conclusion, Wee said health is invaluable and called for investment through preventive screenings, echoing the fervent advocacy of dedicated healthcare professionals who champion the wellness of the community. “By nurturing a culture of proactive healthcare, we can pave the way for a future where preventable illnesses are rare, and everyone thrives in good health,” she added.