Preventive Care Recommendations
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| DIABETES |
Occurs in 3% population, often no symptoms, old age diabetes especially runs in families. Start screening for diabetes age 40 or sooner if overweight or have a family history. If you have polycystic ovaries or are overweight or had diabetes in pregnancy, you are at increased risk of diabetes. |
| HEART ATTACKS, STROKES, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE |
Our number one killer-, start age 20 and check cholesterol, earlier if a family history. Recheck every 5 yrs if normal; more often if abnormal. Annual BP checks. from age 16yrs. Check BP x 4 times per year if abnormal /on medication |
| BREAST CANCER |
Women have 1 in 14 lifetime risk of developing this. Start screening mammogram 10 yrs before nearest relative with breast cancer or age 40 whichever is the earlier. Genetic testing available for those with a strong family history. |
| CERVICAL CANCER |
Pap smears maximally at 2 years apart to age 70 if you have ever had sexual intercourse, more frequently if a history of an abnormal pap, if your last pap was your first pap you need to repeat it at 1 year, if there was a long gap (e.g. > 2yrs) since your last pap it should be repeated at 1 year, or if you have any symptoms such as abnormal bleeding even if only slight. |
| OVARIAN CANCER |
Annual pelvic ultrasound / blood tests are advised if you have a family history only. Oral contraceptives are advised for prevention in those with a family history |
| OSTEOPOROSIS |
Bone density checks should be done at time of menopause if you have a family history, had an early menopause, or decide not to take hormone replacement therapy or have a history anorexia/ steroid use. |
| GLAUCOMA |
Annual eye check from age 30 if a family history / 2 yearly from age 40 if no family history |
| BOWEL CANCER |
Start screening with colonoscopies 10 yrs before relative had cancer or age 35-40 whichever is earlier. For those with no family history, annual test for blood in the bowel motions is available. |
| PROSTATE CANCER |
Annual rectal examination/blood test starts age 40 /or 50 if no family history (Still some controversy about effectiveness of this in medical circles) |
| MELANOMA |
Annual skin check for everyone/ more often if have dysplastic naevus syndrome or a family history melanoma. Annual digital photography advised. |
| THROMBOSIS/CLOTS |
If you have a family history of this you need a blood test |
| HAEMOCHROMATOSIS |
If you have a family history of this you a need blood test |
| PREPREGNANCY CHECK UPS |
Come in 3 months before for a rubella immunity check, a pap smear if needed and advice folic acid supplements and fertile times. |
THIS LIST IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE BUT COVERS THE MORE COMMON DISEASES. TELL THE DOCTOR ANY OTHER FAMILY HISTORY YOU HAVE SO THEY CAN ADVISE YOU.
ADULT VACCINATIONS
| TETANUS |
If had all childhood tetanus shots, booster at age 50 or at time of cut if more than 5 years since last shot |
| HEPATITIS B |
Recommended for all children and adults now |
| RUBELLA |
Booster MMR required if none given at age 5 or 15, or if not immune pre/post partum. |
| FLU VAX |
Annual for those with cardiac, respiratory (includes asthma), diabetes, immune lowering diseases or age >65ys |
| PNEUMOVAX |
TO PROTECT AGAINST PNEUMONIA -every 5 yrs for those >65, and if you have no spleen. Children also have this now. |
| HEPATITIS A |
Advisable if an oyster eater or you work in a childcare, or health care facility MMR booster available for 18- 30's |
| BOOSTRIX |
Advisable for all adults. It includes tetanus and whooping cough. |
| MENINGITIS |
Recommended for young adults and contact of case. |
| CHICKEN POX |
If never had vaccination or chicken pox. |
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Preventive Care
Choosing Your
Common Medical 
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