Preventative Care
Regular check-ups are vital to ensure continuing good health. The following should be discussed with your doctor where relevant.
- Blood Pressure – should be checked every two years for people over 25 years
- Cholesterol – should be tested every five years for people over 25 years
- Blood Sugar – should be tested for people over 40 years, especially if there is a family history of diabetes
- Skin Check – moles, freckles, sunspots etc. should be checked annually, earlier if any have changed.
- Bowel Cancer – tests should be arranged if there is a past history of bower cancer or any alteration in bowel habit including bleeding
- Pap Smears – should be performed every one to two years on all sexually active women aged between 18 and 70 years. [link]Qld Health Pap Smear Register and [link] Cervical Screen and Prevention
- Breast Examination – should be performed every 1-2 years on all women over 40 years. [link] Qld Health Breast Screening Mammogram should be performed every two years on women over 50 years
- Prostate Check – should be discussed with GP every two years on men over 40 years
- Immunisation – should be kept up to date. Children follow the national guidelines – see below. Adults should have an ADT (Diphtheria & Tetanus) every 10 years. People “at risk” may need the “flu” vaccination, pneumococcus vaccination, Hepatitis A & B vaccinations.
- Alcohol & Smoking – the risks associated with these should be discussed as well as cessation programmes
- Weight – should be monitored regularly and discussion about keeping it within the healthy range made.
Childhood Immunisation
Immunisation schedules change, so please check the date of information. The link below to Queensland Health should provide current recommendations. If in doubt, please ring Theodore Medical and ask to speak to one of the nurses.