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Early Disease Detection
OverviewWhat is early disease detection? Early disease detection is the use of:
Why should you think about early disease detection? Often, the earlier a disease is diagnosed, the more likely it is that it can be cured or successfully managed. Managing a disease, especially early in its course, may lower its impact on your life or prevent or delay serious complications. What tests should you have? The tests you need depend on your age, health, gender, and your risk factors. Risk factors might include family history, such as having a close relative with cancer, and lifestyle issues, such as smoking. Cholesterol screening, for example, is recommended for people who have a strong family history of heart disease. Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant may be screened for genetic conditions, sexually transmitted diseases, and other conditions. Who develops recommendations for early disease detection? Expert panels of health professionals develop recommendations and publish them as guidelines for all health professionals to use. For example, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American College of Physicians both have guidelines for cholesterol screening, and the American Academy of Pediatrics has guidelines on early childhood screening for many different conditions. Sometimes different panels make different recommendations. In these situations, talk with your doctor to decide which guidelines best meet your health needs. When should you be tested? If you are at risk for a disease, you and your doctor will decide whether you should be tested for it. Discuss the testing, the disease, the risks and benefits of the testing, and what action you are willing to take if you have the condition. For example, if your doctor believes you are at risk for osteoporosis, factors to consider before testing include your age, whether others in your family have had osteoporosis, whether you are a postmenopausal woman, and your willingness to take medicine or make lifestyle changes if you test positive for this condition. In some cases, testing is done as part of a routine checkup. Health ToolsHealth tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.
Frequently Asked QuestionsScreening, Birth to 12 MonthsYour baby should have regularly scheduled checkups, often called well-baby visits, starting shortly after birth. During these visits, the doctor examines your baby for possible problems and asks you questions about your baby's growth and development. Generally, a baby is evaluated:
All states require newborn screening, although the tests required vary from state to state. They may include:
A hematocrit test may be done if your doctor is concerned about your baby's red blood cell count. At each well-baby visit, your doctor or nurse will check your baby's:
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a childhood condition caused by abnormal development of the hip joint. All newborns are examined for DDH at birth, and the growth and development of your child's hips should also be examined during regular well-child checkups until he or she begins walking normally. If the results of a physical exam are unclear, an imaging test such as an ultrasound or X-ray may be used to check your child's hip joints. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not have enough evidence to recommend routine infant screening for DDH as a way to improve the health outcome. For more information, see the topic Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip. If your doctor is concerned that your child has been exposed to certain substances or diseases, tests may include: For more information on important markers (milestones) of infant growth and development, see the topics Growth and Development, Newborn and Growth and Development, Ages 1 to 12 Months. Screening, 13 Months to 5 YearsYour child should have regularly scheduled checkups, often called well-child visits. During these visits, your child's doctor will check your child's growth and development and examine your child for possible problems. Generally, a child is evaluated:
Normal checks include:
If risk factors are present, other tests may include: Regular dental checkups are recommended for all children. For more information on the milestones of early childhood growth and development, see the topics Growth and Development, Ages 12 to 24 Months and Growth and Development, Ages 2 to 5 Years. Screening, 6 to 10 YearsGenerally, your child is evaluated at ages 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. At each well-child visit, your child's doctor will check to see whether your child is growing and developing as expected. The goal is to find out early if your child has any problems that could affect his or her health and well-being. Normal checks include:
Other tests may include:
Regular dental checkups are recommended for all children. For more information on the milestones of early childhood growth and development, see the topic Growth and Development, Ages 6 to 10 Years. Screening, 11 to 24 YearsGenerally, your child or teen is evaluated yearly. At each well-child visit, the doctor will check your child's growth and development and examine your child for possible problems. Normal checks include:
Other tests may include:
Pregnant women or those trying to become pregnant may be screened for genetic conditions, sexually transmitted diseases, and other conditions. For more information, see the topic Pregnancy. Dental checkups are recommended for all children, teens, and young adults once or twice a year. For more information on the milestones of teen growth and development, see the topics Growth and Development, Ages 11 to 14 Years and Growth and Development, Ages 15 to 18 Years. Screening, 25 to 49 YearsEarly disease detection during adulthood is intended to identify diseases that may develop as you age. Regular checkups and screening are important to maintain good health. How often you have the following tests depends on your age, health, and risk factors for specific diseases. Tests that may be done at your regular checkups include:
Monitor your weight, and see your doctor if you suddenly or consistently gain or lose weight. For more information, see the topics Healthy Weight and Obesity. Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant may be screened for genetic conditions, sexually transmitted diseases, and other conditions. For more information, see the topic Pregnancy. Screening, 50 to 64 YearsAs you age, the risk of developing some diseases increases. Regular checkups and screening tests are important to maintain good health. How often you have the following tests depends on your age, health, and risk factors for specific diseases. Tests that may be done at your regular checkups include:
After reviewing all of the research, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has not recommended for or against routine screening for dementia in older adults.1 Monitor your weight, and see your doctor if you suddenly or consistently gain or lose weight. For more information, see the topics Healthy Weight and Obesity. Screening, 65 Years and OlderAs you age, the risk of developing some diseases increases. Regular checkups and screening tests are important to maintain good health. How often you have the following tests depends on your age, health, and risk factors for specific diseases. Tests that may be done at your regular checkups include:
After reviewing all of the research, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has not recommended for or against routine screening for dementia in older adults.1 Monitor your weight, and see your doctor if you suddenly or consistently gain or lose weight. For more information, see the topics Healthy Weight and Obesity. Other Places To Get HelpOnline Resources
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