Put health checks and screening before your Spring cleaning
5 April 2019
This April, Warwickshire County Council is encouraging residents to take control of their health by getting any areas of concern or risk checked.
While living a balanced and healthy lifestyle is the best way to stay well for longer, there is no way to completely prevent the risk of developing conditions such as cancer, diabetes or dementia – which is why the council is reminding adult residents to take up GPs’ offers of health checks or screening.
Understanding your risk of developing diabetes and making changes to your lifestyle to lower your risk of developing the condition can positively impact your health. A healthy active lifestyle is the first place to start when looking to lower your risk, however, there is plenty of support to find out more about how to understand your risk and making changes.
Screenings for cervical, breast and bowel cancer are routinely offered to adults by the NHS, while everyone between ages 40 and 75 is encouraged to take up a free health check from their GP every five years. Health checks are designed to spot early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia.
When people become eligible (usually based on their age), they will receive a letter inviting them to attend or book a screening or health check. If there are no additional concerns, patients don’t need to go for a screening or health check until they are invited. However, if there are symptoms or family history of a condition, it is recommended for people to talk to their GP about getting tested sooner.
Councillor Les Caborn, WCC Portfolio Holder for Health and Social Care, said: “Spring is when many of us dust off the cobwebs and clean out our cupboards – the perfect time to cross another item off your to-do list by also taking stock of your health. A lot of life-changing conditions are relatively easy to test for and catching them early or before symptoms develop can make a big difference when it comes to treatment.
“We are lucky to have access to quick and simple screening processes through the health service and I really encourage everyone to keep some peace of mind by getting tested. If you’re over 40 and haven’t been invited for a health check yet, ask your GP about it.”
Useful health and wellbeing links
- For more information about maintaining a healthy lifestyle, go to: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/health
- For more information about health checks for people aged 40-74, go to: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/
- Find out more about cervical screening by visiting https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cervical-screening/
- Find out more about breast cancer screening by visiting: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-screening/
- Find out more about bowel cancer screening by visiting: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer-screening/
- Find out more about preventing or managing your diabetes by visiting: www.diabetes.org.uk
Press release from Warwickshire County Council.