Eulalee Thompson

Eat right, exercise, take leisure time and don't forget your regular screening tests to maintain health and wellness. Here are some of the regular screening tests recommended by local health specialists for every Jamaican woman.

Check your waistline

Have you checked your waist measurement lately? If you are a woman and your waist measurement is greater than 80 cm (32 inches), you are at risk for many of the chronic diseases such as hypertension, heart disease and diabetes. Start crunching down that waistline.

Breast self-examination and mammogram

Monthly breast self-examinations for possible lumps and breast changes are recommended by the Jamaica Cancer Society. If you are 40 years and older you should have annual mammograms (a breast X-ray).

Pelvic exam

Annual clinical examinations of the pelvis - the lower part of the abdomen - are recommended for all women, starting at age 18 years or at least, at the beginning of sexual activity. Your gynaecologist will check your uterus (womb) and ovaries for abnormalities such as cysts, tumours or infection; she will also check for inflammation, lumps and abnormal discharge.

Pap smear

There is a lot of new research out on cervical cancer ? it has been linked to strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and a vaccine against this germ has been developed and is currently being marketed. However, the Pap smear is still being recommended for early detection and treatment of cervical cancer, which is the second-most common cancer (after breast cancer) among Jamaican women with an incidence of 30 per 100,000 women.

Check the little'ticker'

Women get heart attacks too, so get in the habit of regular heart checks. The Heart Foundation of Jamaica recommends regular ECG (electrocardiogram) tests to measure the heart's electrical signals and other abnormalities. Lower your risk for heart disease by not smoking, by eating plenty fruits, vegetables and grains, by exercising and by controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol levels

Medical practitioners recommend regular blood tests to measure total cholesterol, LDL (low-density lipoprotein), HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and triglyceride levels. High blood cholesterol levels increase the risk for life-threatening illnesses such as coronary artery disease, heart attack and stroke.

Blood pressure

A blood pressure reading higher than 140/90 indicates high blood pressure or hypertension. High blood pressure puts you at risk for heart disease and other health conditions. The recommendation is that you visit your doctor at least once a year for a good pressure check.

Diabetes

Diabetes is more prevalent among Jamaica's women than men, according to a 2000 lifestyle survey. The Diabetes Association of Jamaica recommends annual blood tests to check your blood glucose levels.

Bone density test

Ageing women are at risk for osteoporosis - the thinning of the bone, especially in the hip, spine and wrist. Thinner bones make them more likely to break. Regular bone density scans are recommended for older women to detect their risk for fractures.