Women’s Health Check

Many women have misconceptions about gynecological diseases, thinking that the diseases only affect older women and that regular health checks at a younger age are not necessary. As a matter of fact, women of any age can suffer from gynecological diseases such as breast cancer and cervical cancer. It has been documented that there is a growing incidence rate of breast cancer affecting younger women. Therefore, it is important to undergo regular health checks to diagnose gynecological diseases at an earlier stage. Patients can then receive timely treatments and identify potential risks promptly.

Importance of Women’s Health Checks

Cancer has been the leading cause of death in women in Hong Kong since 1994. According to the 2018 statistics published by the Hong Kong Cancer Information and Statistics Centre, there were 4,618 breast cancer diagnoses in 2018 alone, with the youngest patient being only 25 years old. In addition, cervical cancer is the seventh most common cancer in women in Hong Kong. Despite its growing incidence, cancer is not entirely unpreventable. The risk can be greatly reduced with early, appropriate health checks that are tailored to the patients’ needs.

Standard Items in a Women’s Health Check

Detailed medical history assessment and physical examination
Blood pressure
Body mass index
Eye exam
Cervical smear
Breast examination
Pelvic ultrasound

Optional items in a Women’s Health Check

Pulmonary function test
Liver and kidney function tests
Electrocardiogram (ECG)/Exercise ECG
Blood and urine tests

Common Items Included in a Women's Health Check

There are various items in a women's health check. Doctors will design an appropriate health check plan based on the woman’s age and risk factors.

Pelvic Ultrasound	It is a non-invasive imaging examination used to detect if there are any abnormalities in the uterus and ovaries, such as hydromas, uterine fibroids, chocolate tumors, etc. This can help with the early detection of cervical cancer and ovarian cancer.
Cervical Smear	It is also known as a Pap smear. The doctor will use a spatula to take samples of your cervical cells to see if there are any abnormalities. This test can help detect the early stages of cervical cancer and check if human papillomavirus (HPV) is present. The Department of Health suggests women between the ages of 25 and 64 who have had sexual experience should undergo regular cervical cancer screening.
Mammography	There are two types of mammography: 2D and 3D. The latter can create 3D images by sending small X-ray signals through the breast tissue from different angles. 3D mammography has a higher accuracy rate as it can detect lesions as small as 3mm in size. As Asians generally have a higher breast density, they tend to have dense breasts at the age of 40 to 50. Therefore, supplementary ultrasound screening may be required if necessary.
Bone Densitometry	A woman's rate of bone loss increases with age, and the condition can become more severe after menopause. Quantitative ultrasound can help diagnose if the patient has osteoporosis. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is the most accurate test for diagnosing osteoporosis. During the scan, the DEXA machine emits two x-ray beams of different energy on the lumbar spine and the hip region. The bone mineral density is then measured based on the x-ray absorption amount.
STD Screening	Patients will be screened for common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as AIDS and syphilis by vaginal swabs or blood tests.
Pre-marital Screening	If you wish to start a family, you could undergo a pre-marital screening to understand your health status better. Through the screening, you would be able to find out if you have any hidden diseases, so as to protect the health of your partner and your next generation.
Pre-pregnancy Check-up	Before planning for a pregnancy, you should undergo a pre-pregnancy check-up to understand your fertility status and to know if you have any hidden diseases such as thalassemia, German measles, etc. This is usually done by blood tests.

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