How to get a free medical examination and why everyone should do it

Why is it important to get tested

Few people want to go to the doctors and take tests just like that. Like, if nothing bothers, then everything is in order with the body. But you still need to check your health from time to time. Especially for cancer. The fact is that tumors may not show alarming symptoms and it is rather difficult to detect them at an early stage without a medical examination. And the first signs of cancer are easy to mistake for another disease. For example, a neoplasm in the lungs may indicate weakness, pruritus and fever, and tumor thyroid gland - labored breathing and a hoarse voice.

The sooner doctors make a diagnosis, the higher the chances of recovery. For example, thyroid cancer successfully treated in 90% of cases, and cervical cancer - in 88%. The chances of overcoming a bronchial tumor, if it is detected at an early stage, are also highly - up to 80%. And in patients with breast cancer who received surgical treatment, the prognosis was by 7% better than those who were assisted after 3–6 months.

Where to go

Russians aged 18-39 are expected at the polyclinic at the place of residence once every three years. That is, now those who turn 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36 or 39 years old in 2023 can be examined free of charge. If you missed your period, you can go for a health screening. It is held annually, but involves a smaller number of screenings.

After the age of 40, a person can undergo a free medical examination once a year.

By the way, the worker must set aside a paid day off so that he can calmly pass all the tests. People under 40 are given such a day every three years, over 40 - once a year. And if less than 5 years are left before retirement, you can ask for two days off.

You only need to take your passport and compulsory medical insurance policy with you to the clinic. If a person has undergone medical examination earlier, it is also worth capturing a health passport, which is issued after the examination. Then the doctors will be able to compare the performance over several years.

What screenings are needed at different ages

The annual checkup includes:

• Questioning. Questions relate to general well-being, bad habits, and unusual symptoms such as itchy skin or increased fatigue.
• Body mass index calculation. Sudden weight loss can signal about the presence of a tumor. Obesity raises risk development of heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
• Fluorography of the lungs. Helps to detect neoplasms in the lungs and tuberculosis. The study is carried out every two years.
• ECG. Allows you to notice violations in the work of the heart. After 35 years the procedure recommend do annually.
• Measurement of blood pressure. Hypertension increases probability development of diseases of the heart, brain and kidneys.
• Determination of cholesterol and glucose levels in the blood. High sugar can indicate for diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia dangerous factorassociated with heart disease.
• Determination of cardiovascular risk. Doctors estimate the likelihood of heart problems in the next 10 years. Gender, age, blood pressure and cholesterol levels of the patient and other parameters are taken into account.
• Measurement of intraocular pressure. Abnormalities may indicate eye disease. Pressure recommend measured at the first physical examination, and after 40 years - annually.
• Examination by a paramedic or obstetrician-gynecologist.
• Therapist's consultation.

During the medical examination, other studies are added to this list, the number of which depends on age.

From 18 to 39 years old

Once every three years for women recommend get tested for cervical cancer. To do this, you need to pass a smear for a cytological examination. Analysis allows identify the disease at the stage of precancer or in its initial form.

In addition, the therapist should check the condition of the skin and mucous membranes, palpate the thyroid gland and lymph nodes.

From 40 to 64 years old

The list of mandatory studies at this age is expanding. It is necessary to pass a general blood test for hemoglobin, leukocytes and ESR. And also to pass screenings:

• For colorectal cancer. To check, take a fecal occult blood test. By the way, such a study allows you to diagnose not only a tumor, but also other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that cause mucosal disorders: ulcers, hemorrhoids, intestinal tuberculosis.
• For stomach cancer. During gastroscopy, the doctor examines the esophagus, stomach and duodenum using a special device - a video gastroscope. Such a study will take place at 45, 50, 55, 60 and 64 years.
• For breast cancer. Women should have a mammogram every two years. And experts recommend every month to conduct a self-examination - in 70% of cases, malignant tumors notice female patients.
• For cervical cancer. Cytological examination of the smear is carried out every three years.
• For prostate cancer. Men at 45, 50, 55, 60 and 64 years of age need to take a blood test for prostate-specific antigen.

From 65 years old

At this age, in addition to a physical examination, it is recommended to undergo screening for colorectal cancer once a year, and women also have a mammogram every two years. The list of mandatory studies includes a general blood test, examination of the skin and mucous membranes, palpation of the thyroid gland and lymph nodes.

How long does the examination take

The screening takes place in two stages. During the first, tests are taken and screenings are carried out. Typically, all these procedures take 3-6 hours, depending on the amount of research that rely on age. After a few days, you need to see a local doctor - he will tell you about the results and give recommendations.

To pass the first stage quickly, it is important to prepare for it. For example, it is better to come to the clinic in the morning on an empty stomach - this way you can immediately take a blood test. If you have a gynecological smear, you should wait until the end of menstruation. Three days before the study of feces for occult blood, it is important exclude from a diet of red meat, raw vegetables and fruits, and do not take iron supplements.

If the doctor suspects chronic diseases or a tumor, a second stage of medical examination will be needed. Its duration depends on what additional studies will be prescribed to the patient.