Preventive Screening: Essential Tests for Every Mom
Preventive health screenings empower mothers to detect potential issues early, ensuring they stay strong for themselves and their families.
Today's mothers shoulder multiple responsibilities and play various roles in their personal and professional lives. To manage it all effectively, they need to stay healthy—both physically and mentally. This is where the importance of preventive screening comes into play.
Preventive screening involves undergoing regular health check-ups, enabling the early detection of health issues when they are easier to treat. Life-threatening diseases such as breast and cervical cancer can be diagnosed in their initial stages through preventive screenings, significantly improving the chances of a complete cure. These screenings also help identify chronic conditions like diabetes, which often go unnoticed until complications develop, says Dr. Madhura Jogwar, Lab Chief, Metropolis Healthcare Limited (Mumbai).
Some of the essential blood tests include a Complete Blood Count (CBC) to detect anaemia—a condition common among women and often overlooked despite symptoms like fatigue and weakness. Blood sugar tests (fasting and post-meal), along with HbA1c, are important for diabetes screening. Other key investigations include thyroid function tests (TSH, T3, T4), Vitamin B12 levels, liver function tests (LFT), renal function tests (RFT), and a complete lipid profile to evaluate the risk of cardiac diseases. In addition, screenings such as ECG and 2D-Echocardiography are valuable tools for assessing heart health.
Cancer screening is another critical component of preventive care, especially for conditions common in women. Breast cancer can be detected early through mammography—a low-dose X-ray. It is also recommended that women perform a self-breast examination once a month and undergo a clinical breast examination by a healthcare professional annually.
Cervical cancer is among the most preventable cancers, and regular screening plays a vital role in its early detection. It is primarily caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Screening can be done through a Pap smear (cervical cytology testing), which detects precancerous cellular changes, or through HPV testing. According to current guidelines, women aged 30–65 years should undergo cytology screening every three years or opt for co-testing with HPV testing every five years. The World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends HPV self-testing to improve screening accessibility.
Another important aspect of a mother's health is bone health. Blood tests to assess calcium and Vitamin D levels, along with a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) scan, help evaluate and monitor bone strength—particularly in women approaching or undergoing menopause.
Mothers are the backbone of every family. Preventive health screening is not just a medical requirement; it's a meaningful form of self-care. Encouraging mothers to prioritise their health is one of the best gifts we can give them this Mother's Day.
First Published:
May 11, 2025, 07:40 IST
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