Free Health-Checks:
UK's National Screening Committee health checks
Once registered with a GP they'll carry-out a new patient health check, where height/weight are measured, urine will be checked for diabetes and kidney functions and blood pressure will be checked-out. Also invitations for relevant screening tests during your life; from Diabetic Retinopathy screening for all people with people with diabetes aged 12 and over, to women aged 25 plus, regular cervical cancer screens every three years, and for women aged 50 and over, breast cancer screening.
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Blood testing can determine anaemia, thyroid function, and the NHS are currently rolling-out a national Chlamydia screening programme too. Pregnant women can have antenatal screening and examinations for Down's syndrome, foetal abnormality, sickle cell, and thalasseameia; and newborns are screened for detection of hearing impairments, cystic fibrosis, and a host of other deficiencies and diseases.
What else can I expect?
For the forties plus age-group
Dr. Ayan Panja from BBC's Street Doctors and adviser to NHS Choices says 'NHS Health MOT's were officially launched in April; over forties will be offered a simple health check-involving weight, blood pressure, urine, cholesterol levels, and diabetes testing. These screen for kidney disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure, which can all lead-to the most common causes of UK deaths-strokes and heart disease.' Taking around 30 minutes, blood pressure and cholesterol levels are checked-out, with this being reviewed every five years. See www.nhs.uk
Free Health-Checks (when members of the gym):
Formally known as Cannons Gyms, now know as Nuffield Health Fitness and Wellbeing Centre, members can have a 12-point Vi1 Health Screen, a look-at your current health from height/weight, BMI, blood pressure, and blood glucose resting heart rate, hydration, cholesterol levels, waist-to-hip ratio, aerobic fitness, and sleep patterns. Lasting 45-60 minutes, with another one after nine months.
What else can I expect?
Assessment results are discussed with you, a tailor-made fitness programme is devised, and a personal plan is made to help address and issues identified and improve overall well-being in daily life, also accredited Nuffield physiotherapists, nutritional advice and guidance. See www.nuffieldhealth.com
Specialist Tests:
Bupa's Female Health Check
£299 without mammography lasting up to an hour with a nurse includes a breast check with a physical and visual examination, instructions on self-examination, and general awareness of appearance, and texture, cervical smear tests and pelvic examinations for detection of any lumps or masses. Rubella antibodies-Rubella is also known as German measles-women of child bearing age are tested to find-out if they're immune to rubella, (by taking a small blood sample).
What else can I expect?
HPV tests (Human Papilloma Virus) are associated with development of cervical cancers. Urinalysis (urine samples) detects diabetes and any potential kidney problems and tested for blood, glucose, and protein, which shouldn't be present. Levels of haemoglobin (red blood cells) and white blood cells are counted, and sizes are noted. Plus usual generic tests from blood pressure, pulse rate, height and weight measurements, and BMI index. See www.bupawellness.co.uk (health assessments).
Bupa's Essential Health Check
£339 lasting up to an hour and with total of 31 tests. Dr.Annabel Bentley, assistant Medical Director explains 'focusing-on key health issues, it's ideal for anyone looking for general health-checks, and understanding of their future health risks and how to minimise these through simple lifestyle changes.' However, it doesn't include gynaecological tests, so suited to women who have these done at their local GP surgery.'
What else can I expect?
Includes heart lungs, and body composition tests, Haemoglobin measurement and Urinalsis tests (as before) as well as cholesterol profile, calcium levels, thyroid and liver function, diabetes detection, breast checks, and the generic height, weight and BMI index calculations. See www.bupawellness.co.uk (health assessments).
BiophysicalCA/CV at The Westover, London (Cancer and Cardiovascular screening)
£350 a 30 minute consultation with a nurse, blood sample is taken and sent to the USA for analysis. Results are between 1-3 weeks later, with a further 40 minute GP consultation Any specialists' referrals are made and you're given an easy-to-read analysis report. The test is for people who wish to be pro-active in screening for cancer and cardiovascular diseases. From mammography, colonoscopy, to routine cholesterol checks, to specialists' checks of a person's Biomarkers, (chemicals and proteins in the blood) commonly associated with various types of cancer.