Preventive Screenings

What are preventive screenings?

A preventive screening helps identify health problems early and assesses your risk for disease. Many chronic illnesses don’t present obvious symptoms. Routine screenings can alert you to potential issues and provide peace of mind.

Are there different types of preventive screenings?

The Hale Family Practice team provides several types of preventive screenings, including:

Pap smears

All women 21 and older should undergo a Pap smear every three years until age 30. After 30, you can continue scheduling a Pap smear every three years or take an HPV/Pap smear combination test every five years instead.

During a Pap smear, your provider collects a cell sample from your cervix and sends it to a lab for analysis. The test helps identify cervical cancer in its early stages.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing

A PSA test is a preventive screening recommended for men aged 55-69. It analyzes the levels of prostate-specific antigen –– a protein made by the prostate gland –– in your blood. Higher than average levels can indicate prostate cancer, and help catch the disease early on.

Heart exams

Heart exams, like electrocardiograms (ECG) and echocardiograms, let your Hale Family Practice provider diagnose underlying cardiovascular problems, such as coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and heart failure.

Lung exams

Lung exams, like spirometry, help identify respiratory problems, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary fibrosis. Early diagnosis can prevent these conditions from worsening and improve your quality of life.

Blood work

Blood work measures the proteins, chemicals, cells, and fats in your blood. It’s a quick and painless way to check organ function and monitor chronic health problems. Blood work can also identify underlying medical issues, including high cholesterol and diabetes.

STD screenings

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections spread through sexual intercourse or sexual contact. If you’re sexually active with more than one person, routine screenings can protect your (and your partner’s) well-being.

Referrals for mammograms and colonoscopies

Breast cancer and colorectal cancer are two of the most common types of cancer. Hale Family Practice doesn’t provide mammograms or colonoscopies onsite, but they can refer you to a nearby hospital or clinic that does.

Do preventive screenings require any special preparation?

Most preventive screenings require at least some preparation. For example, if you’re undergoing blood work, your provider might ask you to fast for at least 12 hours beforehand. Since each screen varies, the team explains how to prepare before scheduling your procedure.

Call the nearest Hale Family Practice office to schedule a preventive screening, or book your in-person or telemedicine appointment online today.