High blood pressure, diabetes, and some types of cancer can develop silently for years and be discovered by chance when the disease has already progressed. Physician-therapist Dzambolat Bayev told what check-ups you need to do to find out about the diagnosis in time. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

Blood Pressure Measurement

According to the doctor, from ages 18 to 39, it is recommended to measure blood pressure at least once every 3-5 years in the absence of risk factors. After 40, it should be done annually.

"It is important to remember that arterial hypertension very often is asymptomatic. The absence of a headache does not mean that the pressure is normal," he explains.

Blood Glucose Level

After 40, it is recommended to determine the level of glucose in the blood or glycated hemoglobin annually.

"Type II diabetes mellitus is often detected accidentally during preventive examination, since in the early stages it may not cause pronounced complaints," the doctor notes.

Cholesterol Level

Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides are recommended to be monitored from age 20 (once every five years), and from age 40 – every two to three years.

According to the therapist, high cholesterol itself does not hurt and is not felt, but it is one of the key risk factors for myocardial infarction and stroke.

Bone Density

The main examination method is densitometry. Women are recommended to start the study at age 65. Men – at age 70.

"A decrease in bone density may not manifest itself for a long time until the first spontaneous fracture," Bayev notes.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Screening is recommended to start at age 45. For people with average risk, two options are most common:

"If close relatives had colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps, the examination scheme may differ according to an individual plan," he explains.

Lung Cancer Screening

According to the doctor, annual low-dose spiral computed tomography is recommended for people at high risk aged 50-80, as well as for those with a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years.

"For understanding: 20 pack-years is one pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years," he explains.

Aortic Aneurysm

Male smokers over 65 are recommended a one-time ultrasound examination of the abdominal aorta.

An aneurysm may not cause symptoms for a long time, but if it ruptures, it poses a direct threat to life.

Prostate Cancer Screening

For men, prostate cancer screening is done by determining PSA.

"With increased risk, for example, if prostate cancer was in the father or brother, you need to be checked every two years at the age of 45-50. For other men – every two years starting at 50," the doctor notes.

Screening for Women

For women, mammography every two years from 40 to 75 years. Also, a Pap smear should be taken every three years from 25 to 65 years with normal results.

After 30, testing for HPV according to appropriate screening schemes.

Earlier, Kursiv wrote that after free screenings in oncology centers, 36 Kazakhstanis are suspected of having sarcoma.

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