Choosing the right plan: doctor shares insights on specific cancer screening in health checks

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The purpose of regular health checks is to identify possible health risks before symptoms appear and to seize timely treatment. In Hong Kong, many people get health checks for a variety of reasons, ranging from a basic check for the start of a new job, to specific checkups one might want before starting a family, to a comprehensive one that involves full body scans and tests for a multitude of diseases.

It is not always easy to decide on what we should get checked for. More often than not, we take the easy way out by going with a plan that is being offered to us for free, or on a discount, by an insurance company or through a special promotion. But ultimately, we should spend our money and time wisely, while achieving the purpose of these health checks–to safeguard our health.

“Ideally, you should only decide on a plan after consulting with your family doctor who will advise on the best approach after taking your gender, age, lifestyle, weight, family history and occupation into account. With so many pre-packaged plans available on the market, many people overlook the role of the doctor when they decide,” said Dr. Fu Di, Chief Medical Executive of a local clinic.

A typical health check includes physical examination, as well as blood and urine tests for complete blood counts, cholesterol levels, inflammations, diabetes, kidney, liver and thyroid functions, etc. Imaging tests such as chest X-rays and abdominal ultrasound are also often done to check for abnormalities. The family doctor might also recommend additional screenings.

Identifying asymptomatic cancers such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Screening tests for specific diseases such as Pap smear for cervical cancer and colonoscopy for colorectal cancer have been around for some time. These tests have become increasingly common due to heightened health consciousness among the public. However, there are still high risk factors that are often overlooked which could prove to be deadly.

“Take the example of NPC, a virus-associated cancer in the nasopharynx, which is located behind the nose and above the back of the throat. It is much more prevalent in Southern China and Southeast Asia than in western countries due to consumption of salted fish, genetics and constant exposure to chemicals like formaldehyde. The problem is that this type of cancer can be asymptomatic, or has very non-specific symptoms, so when it is finally detected, it is often at later stages and negatively impacts survival rate.” explained Dr. Fu.