Health Checks ?

[Deleted User]

We're a couple in our mid 50's and over the past 6 months have seen TWO friends of the same age die (one 3 months after the diagnosis of cancer) and one literally felt a bit "off" one day, went to bed in the afternoon and died in his sleep. As you can imagine, this has come as a wake-up call for us. One option we're thinking of is to pay for a full health check for us both . The only company we can find who does them is BUPA. They have all sorts of options and I'm really not sure what is worth doing (all of it ??) Or what we could ask our GP to do. or whether there are other, cheaper, or more efficient ways of doing them all? We don't have a great deal of money but I know that good health is beyond price, and if this is the best way of doing it, we will, but wondered if anyone had any experience / expertise in this area? Thanks.

PennyForThem_2

Worried well comes to mind.

Don't take offence. Save money and either go to gp for a general health check such as blood pressure, sugar in urine or pay Tesco £10 for same.

When screening becomes available do it. Your wife should be eligble for breast and cervical screening. When you are both 60 then bowel screening (maybe before if you are in right area).

As a man you get abdominal aortic aneurysm screening at 65.

[Deleted User]

Actually I DO find being described as "the worried well" offensive (especially when you have no knowledge of the medical histories of either of us).

And, by the way, I'M THE WIFE.

anamenottaken

Corona wrote: »

We're a couple in our mid 50's and over the past 6 months have seen TWO friends of the same age die (one 3 months after the diagnosis of cancer) and one literally felt a bit "off" one day, went to bed in the afternoon and died in his sleep. As you can imagine, this has come as a wake-up call for us. One option we're thinking of is to pay for a full health check for us both . The only company we can find who does them is BUPA. They have all sorts of options and I'm really not sure what is worth doing (all of it ??) Or what we could ask our GP to do. or whether there are other, cheaper, or more efficient ways of doing them all? We don't have a great deal of money but I know that good health is beyond price, and if this is the best way of doing it, we will, but wondered if anyone had any experience / expertise in this area? Thanks.

For a start - if you and OH are between 40 and 74 and have not already been diagnosed with heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease or certain types of dementia - you can have a free NHS Health Check (see http://www.healthcheck.nhs.uk/ ).

Errata

One option we're thinking of is to pay for a full health check for us both .

How far do you want to go? Are you prepared to pay thousands for CT and MRI scans on both of you on the offchance they may pick up a cancer?
Like anything else that is a want not a need, you pays your money and takes your choice.

pollypenny

Corona, I am sure that penny for them did not mean to offend.

However, it is from the ' worried well' that BUPA make their money.

Speak to your GP and take any tests available through the NHS.

Ken68

My local Tesco has the Health Check half price. An assistant did mine and the pharmacist O.K'd. A form to sign and your doctor will be advised if anything wrong. And blood pressure monitors can be bought for about £20 complete with chart

seven-day-weekend

I just asked my Dr if I could have some blood tests. He takes my blood pressure regularly (also I have my own blood pressure monitor). I have regular smear tests and mammograms. Every couple of years my husband and myself get bowel cancer tests come through the post (we are both over 60).

Regular breast cancer screening is now available from age 47 until age 73 on the NHS. I was told this the other day when I had my mammogram. (it used to be 50 until 70). Cervical smear screening is routine from age 25 to 64. Bowel cancer checks are routine from age 60 until 74.

Errata

Mammograms and smears are available on request by those outside the target ages.

seven-day-weekend

Errata wrote: »

Mammograms and smears are available on request by those outside the target ages.

Thank you for pointing that out, totally correct. I was just giving the ages at which people will be routinely called.

ibizafan_2

I paid for a Bupa total health check years ago, but wouldn't do it again. It is a lot of money just to give a snapshot of your state of health on one particular day. As we all know, we don't know what's round the corner, so although it felt reassuring at the time, anything could have cropped up a week later! As previous posters have said, there are plenty of NHS checks these days, which cover all the most important stuff. I know personally of two people who died young (well, in their 40s and fifties) suddenly, and it was found that their cholesterol was sky high and that it ran in the family. Those kind of tests, along with blood pressure, are very valuable, and available on request at any time. I was shocked to find out that cholesterol levels often rise after the menopause, and because that has happened to me, I shall be keeping a close watch on it. I also take full advantage of all the various cancer checks offered due to my age.