Should the elderly have health screening?

[tadpole]

I think I'm a bit on the obsessive side. Screening for as many things as possible, and if I happen to miss screening something, I'll worry about it.
BUT that may not be what my elderly relative would want. And it is perhaps not worth the trouble, wasting time when he/she could be doing other things. Perhaps it's the trauma of a close loved one's death with cancer. But now I just worry. I can't get over it.

[Bubbles]

Sorry, don't get this...........do you mean your elderly relative would not want YOU to be screened, or not want to be screened themselves?

And what is it that you think is a waste of time? They could be doing other things, you say.??? Well, so could you. Or do you just mean it's a not worth them having it done cos they're old?

Not being unfriendly, but I don't know what you're on about?

And OF COURSE elderly folk should be able to have access to as many screening processes as younger ones do....but it's not always financially viable, and anyway, there are some diseases which are far more prevelant in older age (or younger) so those age groups should be screened first....

But hey, we're back to the old money, money situation here. How much are we prepared to put into the health system? In fact, what is the actual state of the Singapore health situation for older folk? What do they get free? Anything, something, nothing? Sorry, not sure what's what nowadays, as my info is 8 years old, since I lived full time there. Lots could have changed.

You are being sensible screening to a certain degree, but don't go over the top, as it will worry you to death. Don't think there are urgy gurgies waiting to pounce on you at every turn. Just do your best to live healthy....(do you smoke, drink heavy, eat too much) well, if you do, all the checks in the world will do no good, will they? Try not to worry too much, there's a day out there with your name on it and that's it.....until then, just be careful, and try to enjoy life. It's all we can do.

[dot dot dot]

Cancer is in some cases psychosomatic.

I know that doesnot sound too nice, but it is a fact. Stress can do a lot of harm to the extent of even cancer.

Agree with Bubbs, it's good to be cautious and DO have regular health checks, but obsession can lead to worse situations.

Eric

[tadpole]

I mean my elderly relatives may not want to be screened. I have this chronic obsessing problem. Some time ago I read about skin cancer, and since my elderly relative has many spots, I begin to worry, but he does not seem to like screening. But those spots look possibly benign. But then I worry about whether he would have spots in places that aren't exposed/ covered with clothing that I couldn't see. Simple answer is to stop worrying and just go and check, but the dermatologist may find many spots 'mildly suspicious' of malignant cancer and then go through all the trouble of checking/biopsy/whatever, at the end turning out that it's not. And everyone may get stressed during that period. And then of course there are lots of other things to worry about, another story.

Not a hypochondriac but just...sometimes don't know what to do. The more info I read about about various health conditions, the more symptoms you seem to have.

Yes, I've heard that cancer is psychosomatic, I'm trying my best not to stress myself out.

[CardZeus]

Tadpole - I think it's you who needs help with your obsessive compulsive disorder

[Vaucluse]

The more info I read about about various health conditions, the more symptoms you seem to have.

Intersting how she reads about them and others get them . . . that's not being a hypochondriac . . . bizarre . . .

[Bubbles]

Tadpole, go get checked for the skin condition. I am very fair haired and skinned and have lived for many years in foreign, hot places. Even though I did not sunbathe too much, .....couldn't take the heat....I still have had lesions taken out of arm and leg......so don't be daft now....go and see someone.

It could be cancer, but even if it is, the type you get from the sun can be either deadly, or easily treatable.....so whatever it is....GO NOW.

Mine started in Singapore....little red type spots which when pressed disappeared for a second then came back again....proving they had a blood supply....so I got them done. The dermatologist froze those off, but ten years later I got bigger ones and they had to be cut out....NO BIG DEAL, OK, does not hurt, and only tiny scars which fade......but it was a form of cancer, and it MUST BE SEEN TO.......

Now then, don't be silly, just go, cos whatever it is, good or bad, it's there, and bothering you, so it won't go away, will it?

I bet it's nothing, but even if it is, you can usually sort it out, but EARLY IS BEST.....

Hey, by the way, if you also worry about lots of other complaints waiting to slay you, I'd say, go to the doc and tell him/her. It sounds like stress to me, and that can be a killer too......so please, go and chat it out......that's what they're there for, isn't it?

Good luck.

Bubbs.

[kk_lass]

Hey it is good and highly recommended to go for health screening after 30 - 40yrs old onwards..
Such health screening can go up to $200 above for a basic check...
Can start with blood check - which can check on ur cholestrol, blood quantity ..etc

I know of a fantastic health check which cost much less than $50 (now i think got promotion).. and able to check the energy of all part of ur organs in less than 15min. An overview of our health status..
No hazzle & very convenient & very accurate.. Just like what i need..

i guess PREVENTION is better than CURE, i need good health to fight the battle of today and tomorrow!!

[Vaucluse]

I like hazzle free medicine

[sapphire]

I like hazzle free medicine

Tsk...tsk...

[tadpole]

Tadpole, go get checked for the skin condition. I am very fair haired and skinned and have lived for many years in foreign, hot places. Even though I did not sunbathe too much, .....couldn't take the heat....I still have had lesions taken out of arm and leg......so don't be daft now....go and see someone.

It could be cancer, but even if it is, the type you get from the sun can be either deadly, or easily treatable.....so whatever it is....GO NOW.

Mine started in Singapore....little red type spots which when pressed disappeared for a second then came back again....proving they had a blood supply....so I got them done. The dermatologist froze those off, but ten years later I got bigger ones and they had to be cut out....NO BIG DEAL, OK, does not hurt, and only tiny scars which fade......but it was a form of cancer, and it MUST BE SEEN TO.......

Now then, don't be silly, just go, cos whatever it is, good or bad, it's there, and bothering you, so it won't go away, will it?

I bet it's nothing, but even if it is, you can usually sort it out, but EARLY IS BEST.....

Hey, by the way, if you also worry about lots of other complaints waiting to slay you, I'd say, go to the doc and tell him/her. It sounds like stress to me, and that can be a killer too......so please, go and chat it out......that's what they're there for, isn't it?

Good luck.

Bubbs.

Thanks, but is it better to see if those moles turn dramatically bigger or something? I.e. more 'strong' evidence/ symptoms? I mean those 'symptoms' (i.e. border irregularity and a little variation in colour) may not actually point towards melanoma but are actually something else. Plus, he is nearing 80 and I don't want to cause so much trouble.