Importance of Screening and Diagnostic Tests

The major purpose of screening tests is to detect the disease or risk factors for the diseases. A screening test is performed as a preventive measure to identify any health hazards or diseases in someone when there are no apparent signs and symptoms.

The screening test helps to identify the potential disease in the early stages to reduce its risks. It helps to detect the disease at an early stage to be treated early and effectively.

Screening tests do not provide a definite answer. The example of screening tests includes routine mammograms for breast cancer or blood glucose tests for diabetes.

A screening test is positive for a high percentage of individuals who have the conditions. It is negative for the people who do not have any health defect or issue.

The screening tests can lead to a diagnostic test performed on people with high risk of disease because it provides more optimum results. For example, breast biopsy test falls in the category of diagnostic tests as it helps determine if cancer is present. In the same way, chromosome analysis is also considered a diagnostic test.

A diagnostic test is more accurate and expensive. It is performed by healthcare providers to decide the best option of care for people with disease or any condition.

A good screening test helps to evaluate the risk, but it cannot diagnose the genetic condition. That is why diagnostic tests follow positive results.

4 armed health is a medical company that provides efficient screening and diagnostic tests to identify any health risk. If you want to get a screening or diagnostic test, consult them, and the medical staff experts will provide you efficient services and will perform all types of screening and diagnostic tests.

When is the Screening Test Helpful?

Screening tests are also very much valued because of their ability to detect potential risks and minimize unclear and confusing results. The screening tests are not 100% accurate, but it is preferable to do a screening test if recommended by healthcare than not doing it at all.

The screening tests are applied on people  to identify the presence of any disease or condition when there are no apparent symptoms.

Some of the common screening tests include

• Cholesterol Measurement

Cholesterol is present in all parts of the body, it aids in the production of the cell membrane, hormones, and vitamins D. The cholesterol in blood comes from 2 source the first source is through the food you eat, and the 2nd is its production in the liver,

Cholesterol screening is performed by blood tests. People with high cholesterol in their blood are at great risk of acquiring heart disease than those with low cholesterol levels in their blood.

• Fecal Blood Tests

Fecal blood tests are performed by microscopic analysis or chemical tests to detect blood in the stool. The presence of blood in the stool can result in cancerous growth and is indicative of colorectal cancer.

The test requires the collection of 3 stool samples that are then examined under the microscope for blood presence. It is very important to understand that presence of blood in the stool can also be due to many non-cancerous reasons, including medications, food consumption, hemorrhoids, or gastrointestinal blessing. Testing is recommended at the age of 5o by the majority of organizations.

• Mammography

Mammography is recommended by organizations for the identification of breath cancer after age 50. The mammography should be performed every one or two years after the age of 50.

• Colonoscopy

At the age of 50, many organizations recommend screening tests of colon for detecting colon cancer or any polyps if anyone has a family history of colon cancer.

• Diabetes

American Diabetes Association recommends that all people with age 45 be screened for diabetes regardless of their weight. The people without any symptoms should be scanned depending upon their weight if they are obese or have one or more diabetes risk factors.

Common Diagnostic tests

Common diagnostic tests include

• X-rays
• Computed tomography scan
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan
• Upper Endoscopy
• Pulse Oximetry

Importance of Medical Tests and Why They are Performed

Both Diagnostic and screening tests help to diagnose the diseases. From pregnancy tests to diabetes, all the diagnostic tests are performed for optimal treatment of the patient.

Considering the covid 19 situations, it has become more important to do the tests to identify disease. 4 armed health is providing the service of screening and diagnostic tests to all individuals. The primary purpose of medical tests includes

Diagnosis

It is the process of finding out if the patient really has the disease. The professionals perform tests to make the diagnosis. If the disease is diagnosed, then appropriate treatment is followed. Doctors are required to be aware of the conditions of the disease and its stage.

The diagnostic tests allow the doctors to assess if the chosen treatment will be effective to stop the progression of the disease or they should shift to any other treatment. This method is commonly being used for the treatment of cancer.

Monitoring

Monitoring involves studying if the disease is controlled. Chronic disease cannot be cured easily, but its symptoms can be controlled through proper medication and lifestyle changes. Monitoring allows us to control the symptoms and spread of disease.

Screening

The test is performed to identify the presence of disease when there are no signs and symptoms to find if the person has acquired the disease so that it can be controlled as early as possible. The screening tests are the simple and cheap method, the purpose of which is not to diagnose the disease but to identify if the person may have it.

Prognosis

This test shows the likelihood of developing the disease in the near future. The genetic tests, for example, allow the doctors to be more attentive and discover early signs of disease that can occur in the newborn baby so that preventive measures can be taken on time.