As we age, keeping our health on top form becomes increasingly important.
Regular check-ups and preventative screenings become key tools in managing our health and catching potential issues early.
For those over 50, these screenings form an integral part of maintaining wellness and detecting diseases in their earliest, most treatable stages.
So, what screenings and health tests are recommended for those over 50? Let’s take a look.
Preventative health screenings are medical tests conducted to identify and monitor potential health problems before they progress into more severe diseases.
These screenings differ from diagnostic tests, which are usually performed to determine the nature of specific symptoms or conditions. Instead, preventative screenings are often routine, typically focusing on early detection of diseases that have a higher likelihood of affecting individuals as they age.
Common preventive screenings can include blood pressure checks, a cholesterol check, breast cancer mammograms, and colonoscopies for colorectal (bowel) cancer.
They might involve simple physical examinations, blood tests, imaging procedures, or more specialised tests depending on the disease being screened for.
Preventive screenings have a number of great benefits for our health, including:
The age of 50 marks a pivotal point in preventative healthcare, as many health risks tend to increase significantly beyond this age. According to Age UK over a third of people aged 50 and over said that their health had worsened in the past 12 months. Both private health screenings and NHS screenings can be beneficial. Some recommended preventative health services and checks for over 50s include:
High blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and other health issues. Regular screenings, often performed annually, can help manage and control blood pressure effectively. Blood pressure checks can be done at your local GP surgery, they also form part of the NHS health check. They will also be included as part of a private health check, for example with a Bupa health screening.
Increased cholesterol levels can contribute to heart disease. Starting from age 40 or earlier, cholesterol should be checked every five years, or more frequently if there are risk factors for heart disease.
When you are over 40, overweight, or have a family history of high cholesterol or heart problems, you can get a cholesterol test with your GP. It also forms part of a health check too.
Beyond a cholesterol check, lifestyle changes can also help to lower the risk of high cholesterol levels and the health issues it can cause. Many private health insurers provide support to help achieve a healthier lifestyle. This includes: discounted gym memberships and fitness products, discounted health assessments, mental health support and personalised lifestyle advice.
Diabetes can lead to several complications if left unchecked, and your risk of diabetes increases as you age. Regular blood glucose tests can help identify pre-diabetes or diabetes early.
If symptoms of diabetes occur, health insurance provides access to a digital GP 24/7, where symptoms can be discussed potentially quicker than with an NHS GP.
From age 50, both men and women should undergo regular screenings for colorectal cancer, as the majority (94%) of bowel cancer cases occur in those over 50. Currently, the NHS offers bowel screenings every 2 years to those aged between 60 and 74*, so always make sure to keep on top of these appointments, especially as rescheduling them can mean being put on a months-long waiting list.
*After 74, the risk of complications during bowel screening increases, which is why the NHS has opted for this cut-off age. However, you can still request an at-home screening kit if you’d like; this is usually recommended if you have a family history of bowel cancer, or if you have any conditions that increase your bowel cancer risk; this includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Mammograms are recommended for women aged 50 and over to detect breast cancer early; these routine screenings are available every three years on the NHS to women aged 50-70.
Bone density scans can be useful for women aged 65 and over, or post-menopausal women with risk factors, to detect osteoporosis. However, there is currently no national screening programme for osteoporosis in the UK. That being said, if your GP believes that you may have osteoporosis, you should be eligible for a DEXA scan, a screening used to detect the condition.
While preventive screenings aim to catch health issues early in asymptomatic individuals, it's important to remember that these screenings are not exhaustive.
If you develop worrying symptoms like rectal bleeding, bloody stools, lumps, persistent pain or discomfort, unexplained weight loss, or any significant change in your health, seeking immediate medical attention is crucial.
If you’re concerned about NHS waiting times in your area, health insurance for individuals over 50 can provide quick access to screenings and specialist consultations, often with shorter wait times.
This prompt response can be invaluable in identifying potential health issues, allowing for immediate intervention, and improving the likelihood of favourable outcomes when dealing with time-sensitive conditions.
Health insurance providers often offer preventative health care checks or assessments at discounted prices to policyholders. For example, Bupa offer 10% off health assessments.
The Exeter offer one Health MOT each year for policyholders. The test checks 20 different markers to spot any problems early on and provides results through their dedicated app.
Vitality offer discounted health assessments and checks through their reward scheme.
Whenever you’re ready to find your policy, our advisers will be ready to support you. You can fill out a quote and await a call from our team or get started now and give us a call on: 01285 864670