Common Health Tests

• Importance of Health Screening
• What Is a Screening Test?
• Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Measurements
• Cancer Screening
• Breast Cancer
• Cervical Cancer
• Cancer of the Colon and Rectum
• Prostate and Testicular Cancers
• Skin Cancer
• Synonyms and Keywords
• References
• Authors and Editors

Importance of Health Screening

Common health tests may be performed in your doctor’s office or even in the pharmacy. Regular health checks and screening for certain diseases and conditions have become routine for most people.

New tests and investigations can and always are being developed. The indications (when you might have need) for some tests (mammography, for example) are still being determined. If you have any questions about exactly which tests are right for you, please discuss these concerns with your own doctor.

Screening tests for some of the less common conditions are not included here. Screening is an area where there are likely to be many advances over the coming years, with the identification of the genetic cause for more and more conditions. However, it is important to be aware that just because doctors can identify someone at increased risk for a condition, it may not necessarily be preventable. It may simply mean that you will need to work with your doctor to closely monitor your health to ensure that the condition is detected as early as possible.