Screening Tests: What They Can Tell You About Your Health

Regular screening tests are a foundation of preventive medicine. They help you and your care team identify issues early, when there’s still time to reverse course or stall disease progression.

Our providers at Calabasas Medicine Group in Calabasas, California, excel at managing chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. However, as preventive care advocates, we aim to protect you from these life-altering illnesses whenever possible.

We do that through education and customized guidelines that cover everything from a nutritious diet and exercise plan to identifying which cancer screenings and lab tests best fit your age, family medical history, health status, and risk factors.

Screening tests and what they can reveal about your health

Screening tests that your Calabasas Medicine provider may recommend include:

Blood pressure measurement

You’ve likely had your blood pressure measured countless times, essentially every time you visit a physician’s office.

It may seem excessive, but this is one of the quickest ways to determine and manage your risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and other serious health concerns. Detecting rising blood pressure early makes reversing course with diet, exercise, and other healthy habits possible.

Cholesterol test (lipid panel)

A lipid panel measures levels of various types of cholesterol and fat in the blood. It’s no secret that high levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Addressing elevated lipids early can help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other conditions that affect healthy blood flow through the arteries, such as peripheral artery disease.

Blood glucose test

Diabetes is a significant health risk, causing issues that can affect your heart, eyes, kidney function, nerves, and circulatory system. It may be challenging to find a body system that isn’t negatively impacted by uncontrolled diabetes.

A glucose test measures your blood sugar levels, warning you early about diabetes or prediabetes. You can often reverse prediabetes through diet, weight loss, and other healthy habits.

And if you have diabetes, early detection and treatment helps prevent advanced complications like nerve damage, kidney failure, and heart disease.

Mammography

Mammography offers a high-definition image of the breasts that can detect cancerous changes and other tissue abnormalities. This opens the door for early biopsy and treatment, which is often more successful and less invasive than treatment for cancer.

Pap smear

A Pap test screens for cervical cancer or precancerous changes. An additional test, obtained at the same time, can detect human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the leading causes of cervical cancer.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy provides detailed imaging of the colon and rectum, revealing polyps, cancer, and other abnormalities. Early detection of colon cancer and removal of polyps can prevent cancer development. 

Regular screening is recommended starting at age 45, or earlier if there's a family history or other increased risk of colon cancer.

Bone density test (DEXA scan)

A DEXA scan measures bone mineral density. Low bone density (osteoporosis) or low bone mass can lead to fractures, including painful compression fractures of the spine. Early detection gives us time to implement interventions that strengthen bones.

Skin checks

Every adult benefits from a complete skin exam annually. At Calabasas Medicine, we often include this as part of your yearly physical to screen for suspicious moles or growths that may be cancerous. Early treatment of skin cancer often leads to a cure.

Etcetera

Your Calabasas Medicine provider may suggest other screening tests based on your age, health, and family history. For instance, thyroid function tests can detect abnormalities that increase your risk of heart failure.

We also offer functional lab testing at Calabasas Medicine Group, which takes a detailed look at factors that can affect your long-term health, such as:

• Heavy metal toxicity
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Hormone imbalance
• Chronic inflammation

These blood tests can also identify food allergies and sensitivities that may be affecting your gut and overall health.

Schedule a visit at Calabasas Medicine Group today for more information about screening health exams. Call the office or request an appointment online.