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Why Health Screening Is So Important For You And Your Family?
If you’re concerned about your health, or simply want to be on the safe side, a health screening can be an excellent option for you and your family. Our blog dives into what screening is, how it can help you and why private screening facilities are beneficial for your health. To find out more about health screening and private GP consultations, keep on reading!
Screening is a process where ‘healthy’ people are screened to assess whether they are at risk of particular conditions. Screening tests can be carried out to help detect a range of different illnesses. Here in the UK, the NHS provides health screening for the following conditions:
- Pregnancy screenings (for infections, development checks and other conditions)
- Newborn baby screenings (physical examinations)
- Diabetic eye screening
- Cervical screening
- Breast screening
- Bowel cancer screening
By having these screening tests carried out sooner rather than later, if problems or conditions are detected, individuals can seek treatment much sooner. It can also help them to make more informed decisions about their health and their current lifestyle.
This part of our blog dives into some of the reasons that families may decide to have a health screening:
As we’ve briefly mentioned, detecting these problems early gives individuals the best chance of seeking treatment early and minimising their risks. Screenings can help to identify problems before symptoms even start to appear, and in cases of pregnancy, even before the baby is born.
A majority of health screenings are carried out with the intention of preventing a disease or health condition. Screenings can look out for symptoms such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or even diabetes to identify those who are more at risk from certain health problems. Vaccinations and immunisations can be used after a screening to help prevent these serious illnesses.
Conditions such as particular cancers and heart related issues can have a genetic factor, meaning that you may be more vulnerable to these conditions if it runs in your family. Now, that shouldn’t be anything to worry about, however many people do decide to get a health screening if they are aware of multiple conditions or healthcare cases in their family. Screening can be an effective way of staying ahead and staying safe, just in case there is a problem that is detected.
Regular health screenings, or screenings for a particular condition can put your mind at ease. Whether a problem is detected or not, the screening process can help people feel more eased about their health. If a problem is detected, it’s been located early and an individual can seek treatment long before any symptoms appear. If no health issues are spotted, an individual can carry on with peace of mind about their health.
When it comes to your screening results, your health consultant or medical professional will most likely go over your results with you in detail to explain what everything means. They will also then suggest the best course of action regarding your treatment.
A screen negative result is a normal result which means that you are at low risk of the condition that you were being screened for. It doesn’t mean that you will never develop the condition, but this result does mean that you are not likely to develop it right now.
A screen positive result indicates a high risk of having a certain condition and if the screen test is positive, it will mean that you currently have the condition you were being screened for. After you receive this result, you will be offered diagnostic tests, which are further tests that assess your condition. Your medical professional will then recommend the best course of treatment, offering you advice and support regarding your health problem.
Screening is an effective way to assess your health and spot the earliest signs of conditions, however there are some limitations to the process that you should be aware of.
- Screening tests are not always 100% accurate, and many people are diagnosed with a ‘false positive’ result, meaning they are diagnosed with a health condition that they actually do not have. Screening can also miss a problem, and an individual may be diagnosed with a false negative result. Both of these mistakes can lead to unnecessary further testing, or result in not identifying the problem, potentially worsening the condition.
- Screening tests can lead individuals to make difficult choices. When it comes to pregnancy screening and serious health problems, there may be difficult decisions to make which can be stressful.
- It’s important to prepare yourself for your results. Many people may find that hearing they have a health condition affects their mental health. You may suffer with some anxiety or depression following your diagnosis or even during your treatment.
Choosing a private health care clinic has a world of benefits that you may not experience with public healthcare. The following list includes just a few of the advantages of choosing independent healthcare services.
With private services, they are able to provide far more comprehensive care than most public services. Private GPs are able to spend more time with patients and understand their needs much better, which allows more personalised care to be given to patients. This means that GPs can understand patients’ medical history, symptoms and other factors to help recommend the best course of treatment.
In comparison to the NHS, which took a huge hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, the waiting times in private clinics are much shorter. This means that if you are in need of quick and efficient medical attention, private clinics can accommodate this. Private clinics are beneficial because they still deliver personalised and comprehensive care while reducing wait times for their patients.
People with ongoing health conditions or long-term illnesses may have struggled using public healthcare services, as it is likely that they will see a different doctor every time. This can get confusing and stressful when you are lacking continuity in your medical care.
Private clinics offer the benefit of continuity. People who have long term conditions will be able to see a specific GP or nurse practitioner time and time again during their doctors visits. Having a medical professional who is aware of your medical history, current symptoms, treatments and is able to get to know you can be extremely comforting and helpful for many individuals. It can be more comforting to have good rapport with your medical professional and can be a form of support during your medical journey.
The NHS or other public healthcare services may not have access to everything you need. If you have a very specific medical condition that requires specialist treatment or a rare medication, public services may struggle to provide this.
Private healthcare, on the other hand, will help you to access these medications in a timely manner. This means you won’t need to worry about being able to get the medication or treatment that you need for your condition.
Most of the processes with private medical care are generally quicker than public services. From making an appointment to having your check up or getting prescriptions and seeking treatments, most of the processes in a private healthcare clinic are generally quicker. So, whether your condition is extremely serious or just a casual check up, you can rely on the fact you will be seen in a quick manner.
Here at Duality Health, we offer a range of private medical services and health consultations for you and your family. Our team is committed to providing a professional and caring service to all of our patients. To find out more about our screening services, you can head to our website. Alternatively, to speak to our team directly, get in touch with us today on 028 3083 3666.