When was the last time you had a health check-up, even if you felt fine? It’s easy to overlook routine screenings when there are no symptoms nudging you to see a doctor. However, health screenings are important tools in preventive healthcare, aiming to detect potential issues before they escalate into serious problems.
According to the 2023 National Health and Morbidity Survey, 2 in 5 Malaysians did not go through a health screening in the last 12 months. The Ministry of Health have been encouraging Malaysians to get routine health screenings, and here’s why.
Why You Should Get Health Screenings
Health screenings are routine tests or examinations designed to identify diseases or conditions in their early stages, often before any symptoms appear. Unlike diagnostic tests, which investigate specific symptoms, screenings are proactive measures to catch potential health issues early. Common screenings include blood pressure checks, cholesterol levels, mammograms, colonoscopies, and blood glucose tests. These tests are tailored based on age, gender, family history, and lifestyle factors.
Early detection through screenings can significantly improve treatment outcomes. For example, the survival rate for stage I breast cancer is over 99% . Similarly, colorectal cancer screenings can detect precancerous polyps, which can be removed before they turn into cancer, potentially reducing colorectal cancer deaths by 60% .
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Malaysia
In Malaysia, like many other countries, some of the most dangerous health problems don’t come with loud warnings. They sneak up quietly until they’ve already done serious damage. That’s the reality with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Hypertension
One of these is hypertension, or high blood pressure. According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019, 30% of Malaysian adults were found to have hypertension. Alarmingly, over half were unaware they had it. That means thousands of people are walking around every day with a condition that increases their risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure—and they don’t even know it.
Diabetes
Diabetes tells a similar story. Malaysia has one of the highest diabetes rates in Asia. NHMS 2019 revealed that nearly 1 in 5 adults aged 18 and above has diabetes. Again, many are unaware of their condition. Why? Because early-stage diabetes often shows no clear signs. You might feel a little more tired, a little more thirsty but most people brush it off.
Heart Disease
High cholesterol is another major concern. It’s a major risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death in Malaysia. But it doesn’t come with a headache or rash or anything obvious. Unless you get a blood test, you’d have no idea.
This is exactly why regular health screenings are critical. You can’t fight what you don’t know. A simple blood pressure reading, a blood sugar test, or a cholesterol panel can reveal what your body isn’t saying out loud. And once you catch these issues early, you can make small changes, like adjusting your diet, exercising, or starting medication, to avoid far more serious problems down the line.
Basic Tests and Screenings Can Catch Serious Health Conditions
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: many of these noncommunicable health issues could have been detected earlier, or even prevented, with routine screenings.
Take heart disease, for example. It’s been the number one cause of death in Malaysia for over a decade. But heart attacks don’t come out of nowhere. They build silently over years of unmanaged cholesterol, blood pressure, and lifestyle choices. A simple cholesterol test every year or two could flag a potential problem before it becomes a crisis.
Or let’s talk about kidney disease, which is rising rapidly in Malaysia. The country has one of the highest rates of kidney failure in the world. A key cause? Uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure. Yet a basic urine test and a blood creatinine test can catch early warning signs. When done early enough, these conditions can be managed. But too often, people don’t test until symptoms are obvious and irreversible damage has been done.
Government initiatives like PeKa B40 offer free health screenings for eligible Malaysians aged 40 and above. The Ministry of Health is also pushing annual health campaigns to raise awareness. Private clinics, too, are catching on, offering bundled health screening packages that make it more convenient to test everything from cholesterol to thyroid function.
Recommended Screenings by Age
It’s essential to know which screenings are appropriate for your age group:
In Your 20s and 30s: Blood pressure checks, cholesterol levels, and cervical cancer screenings (Pap tests).
In Your 40s: Begin mammograms for breast cancer and screenings for type 2 diabetes.
In Your 50s and 60s: Colorectal cancer screenings, prostate exams for men, and bone density tests for women.
Always consult with your doctor to determine the screenings appropriate for you based on personal risk factors.
Get Routine Health Screenings at Dr Prevents
Regular health screenings are a proactive approach to maintaining well-being. By detecting potential issues early, you increase the chances of successful treatment and reduce the risk of complications. Remember, taking charge of your health today can lead to a healthier tomorrow.
Talk to your doctor about a screening plan that’s right for you. At Dr Prevent’s, our health screenings are thorough and we have a plan affordable for any patient. Contact your nearest clinic in KL or Selangor today to get a consultation.