The tremendous multitasking abilities of a woman make her an all-rounder. But sometimes, she spreads herself too thin across work, family, kids, and self-actualisation that her health takes a backseat. Especially in her youthful years, a woman should make her health the top priority to avoid any prolonged illnesses in her 30s.
A young woman in her 20s witnesses several physiological changes and is exposed to several health risks such as lower immunity, chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. These ailments might pose a hindrance between her health and her life-goals when time is crucial. Hence, besides regular exercise, a balanced diet and stress management, a woman must schedule a routine health screening.
In this article we will elaborate on five most crucial diagnostic tests for the women in her 20s, which help them detect early warning signs of a disease and prevent them at the right time.
Why Should Women Prioritize Healthcare in Their 20s?
Healthcare becomes a crucial aspect for every adult woman as this is the time that she experiences a whirlwind of emotions, physical and mental changes, making here-to-stay lifestyle habits, and more. Besides, below are some other reasons why women should never skip routine healthcare checks in her 20s:
- The anatomical framework of a female’s body makes her vulnerable to certain health conditions during early womanhood.
- Several sociological factors in women’s lives, including employment status, financial health, and education level become major factors affecting her reproductive health.
- Most importantly, a woman in her 20s witnesses certain hormonal and physiological changes affecting her health. At this stage, several screening tests are necessary for all women to assess these changes and check the symptoms of associated ailments, if any.
Hence, it is necessary to undergo certain diagnostic tests to check the early signs of chronic ailments.
Essential tests for women in their 20s
In this article we will elaborate five most crucial tests meant for the women in their early 20s that will help them keep track of their health and maintain overall well-being:
1. Breast Examination:
Currently, breast cancer and cervical cancer are two most prevalent types of cancers in India. The number of breast cancer patients are on an all time high, especially in the states like Andhra Pradesh. However, breast and cervical cancers can be easily prevented if diagnosed early. One has to undergo regular medical check-up and screening to check the early symptoms of breast cancer. There are two types of necessary screening tests for breast cancer:
- Clinical Breast Examination: If your age is between 18 and 39 years, your doctor will recommend you a clinical breast examination. The clinical breast examination consists of Mammograms, MRI scans, or ultrasounds. While the American Cancer Society doesn’t recommend that women aged below 40 should undergo breast screening, you must consult your doctor before initiating the clinical breast exam.
- Breast Cancer Self-Exam: Even if you are not recommended for a clinical breast exam, you can undergo a breast cancer self-exam. You can observe and look for some abrupt changes, like unusual breast shape, lump formation, dimpling, or a milky fluid flowing out of one or both nipples. A self-breast exam can be useful in detecting the early stage symptoms of breast cancer. Ideally, young women should self-examine their breasts monthly, or on days succeeding the periods.
2. Pap Smear or Cervical Cancer Screening:
The rising cases of cervical cancer among Indian women is a warning sign for adult women to check for timely detection of symptoms. Cervical cancer screening is done through a process called Pap Smear Test that involves a collection of cells from the cervix — the lower, narrow end of the uterus. The pap smear test should be repeated every 3 years after the age of 21 till 65, to detect initial symptoms of cervical cancer as well as human papillomavirus (HPV), if they exist.
3. STD Screenings:
Those women who are aged 24 or below and are sexually active with a new partner or multiple partners, should undergo routine pelvic examination. The Sexually-Transmitted Diseases (STD) Screening tests under the pelvic examination are important for early diagnosis of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV-screening. Ten minutes of mild pain from pelvic examination can save a woman from the risk of venereal diseases that can cause infertility or death– such as in case of HIV-AIDS.
4. Thyroid Functioning Test:
It has been observed that women are more likely to be affected by thyroid disorders. Many women are known to have thyroid dysfunction before their pregnancies. Such a situation may cause harm to the mother or their baby. Hence, it requires regular monitoring of thyroid functioning to prevent this disease.
Low levels of thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) slows metabolism and can result in symptoms like tiredness, dry skin, weight-gain, and irregular menstrual cycles. On the other hand, hyperthyroidism causes increased heartbeat, anxiety, and weight loss. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's high time that you go for a Thyroid Functioning Test.
5. Vitamin Deficiency Test:
Recent studies have shown that young Indian women are increasingly suffering from deficiencies of Vitamin D and B12. This is causing decreased bone-density in women. The optimal level of vitamin D is essential to assimilate the calcium in the body. It is suggested that women should get diagnosed for deficiency of Vitamin D and B12 before planning for a pregnancy to avoid severe consequences later on.
To Sum Up
Undoubtedly, the family responsibilities and the professional commitments will always go side by side in every woman’s life. However, to ensure that your professional endeavors do not hamper your personal well-being, you must regularly monitor your health by undergoing the above mentioned diagnostic tests.
For your overall health and financial security, choose Care Health Insurance Plans that safeguard your health against common and critical ailments for years to come. At Care Health Insurance, offer mediclaim plans for women of all ages, including critical illness and cancer insurance mediclaim policies. Please check the policy brochures for more details.
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