As women, we are often the primary caregivers in the family, whether we are married or single, with or without children. This means taking care of everything from our parents’ medical appointments to celebrating an aunt’s birthday to daily school errands.
Unsurprisingly, the result of putting everyone else first is that many women pay little attention to their own needs and well-being. Social appointments are postponed, hobbies are put on the back burner, nagging pains and chronic discomforts are swept away.
But if there’s one thing women should prioritize, it’s their health. Simply put: you can’t take care of others if you’re in bad shape. And the most crucial act of self-care to begin with is getting a proper health checkup.
Dr Clara Ong, an obstetrician and gynecologist at Gleneagles Hospital, said medical screening is essential as it helps in the early detection of particular conditions.
“This can lead to early treatment and better outcomes. That’s why it’s important to get a health check even if you feel perfectly fine,” she said.
Dr Edwin Chng, Medical Director of Parkway Shenton, stressed that all women should get screened regularly.
“Ask your doctor for advice on the type and extent of screening, as well as the age at which screening should be initiated. Indeed, women with different risk profiles should begin medical screening at different ages and test different diseases and conditions.
“As such, a doctor’s review and assessment is important to ensure a personalized health screening program that is relevant and helpful to you,” he said.