What is Screening and Tests?
The screening and tests are done to identify a potential health disorders or diseases in patients who do not exhibit any symptoms of same. The purpose is early detecting it; take precautionary measures to reduce the risk of disease or disorder, or to treat it most effectively. Screening tests are not considered diagnostic, but additional testing to determine the presence or absence of disease. Screening and tests are for asymptomatic people which means those people who do not show any symptoms or exhibit disguised symptoms, whereas diagnostic tests are for those showing symptoms of a disease.
Checking for disease when there are no symptoms is a challenge in itself. The advantage with screening and test is that it may find diseases at an early stage, hence providing a better chance of treatment of the disease.
Symptoms or causes for Screening and Tests
The cause and symptom that require conduction of screening and test is to identify a potential health disorders or diseases.
Common of Screening and Tests
Following are the lists of common screening and test that are conducted usually by people -
Cholesterol - Cholesterol is a waxy and fatty substance that is found in all parts of the body. Its function is to assist the body in making cell membranes, few hormones, and vitamin D. The cholesterol which is is gathered in human blood comes from the diet we intake and from our liver. Cholesterol screening is performed through blood test. If the cholesterol results are high, it means the person have a higher risk for heart disease. The risk can be minimized by decreasing cholesterol.
Diabetes or prediabetes – It is recommends for adults above the age of 45 to get screened for diabetes or prediabetes. The screening is must if the person is overweight or obese and has other risk factors for diabetes.
When to visit a doctor?
It is in one’s benefit to have medical check at regular intervals but if a patient experiences any of the symptoms mentioned above she should immediately visit the doctor.
How to Determine the Screening and Tests?
The selection of screening and tests are based on answers to the following questions –
- Is the test for particular condition or disease available?
- Is the condition for which we intend to screen is common?
- What is the level of severity of the condition?
- If the condition is treatable?
- Analysis of cost and benefit it will reap.
Screening and Tests for Gynecologic Disorder
Following are the list of Screening and test for gynecologic disorder –
- Screening Test
- Cervical cell testing to detect cervical cancer. Test like pep test.
- Mammography – to detect breast cancer
- Screening for cervical cancer
- Pap test – cells are collected from cervix and tested to detect any abnormality.
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – sample is collected from cervix to identify presence of HPV.
- Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infection –sample is collected in swab from cervical discharge to test the presence of any infection.
- Fertility Assessment – If the woman is unable to conceive, the doctor may collect sample of mucus from cervix to examine it. Based on its result he may advise additional tests.
- Biopsy involves removing of tissue to examine it under microscope. Biopsy of vulva, vagina, cervix and lining of uterus is done.
- Colposcopy – If pap test result is negative then it is done. In this a speculum is spread on wall of vagina and lenses are used to examine and search for any cancer signal.
- Dilation and Curettage – In this drug are used to dilute the cervix and a sharp instrument is used to extract the tissue for study.
- Endocervical Curettage – a tissue is obtained from cervical canal with help of sharp object for study.
- Hysteroscopy- This test is a procedure that determines the causes of bleeding. It identifies presence of fibroid, polyps, and other causes of bleeding.
- Laparoscopy - In this test laparoscope (small lightened device with camera) is used to search for any abnormality in reproductive organ.
- Pregnancy Test – test to determine whether woman is bearing a child or not.
- Sonohysterography - Sonohysterogram is a minimal invasive process of imaging the inside of the uterus.
- Ultrasound - Ultrasound is a non invasive medical technique of examination which produces images of inside of our body using sound waves.
The purpose is early detecting it; take precautionary measures to reduce the risk of disease or disorder, or to treat it most effectively.
Pap test also called Pap smears, is done to check for any changes that might mean cervical cancer through samples of cells collected from cervix.
This test is a procedure that determines the causes of bleeding. It identifies presence of fibroid, polyps, and other causes of bleeding.
In this test laparoscope (small lightened device with camera) is used to search for any abnormality in reproductive organ.
Sonohysterogram is a minimal invasive process of imaging the inside of the uterus.
