Harnessing the Power of Radiography: Early Detection and Screening for Improved Health Outcomes

By Dr. Aakaar Kapoor

Many of us place a high value on our health, especially as we become older. One of the most efficient methods to preserve health is through what practitioners refer to as “preventive care,” which includes screening tests that can detect health problems before symptoms appear. This type of early diagnosis has the potential to drastically modify the course of many diseases, particularly chronic ones such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. They aid in detecting problems before they worsen, increasing the likelihood of successful treatment.

Empowering patients

Screening including imaging, blood tests and other parameters may uncover a wide range of health concerns, including high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as more subtle disorders like hearing and vision loss.

The Role Of Radiography

Radiography plays a vital role in empowering patients by enabling early detection and screening for better health outcomes. Through detailed imaging, radiography helps identify potential issues before symptoms appear, allowing timely interventions and more effective treatments. As a non-invasive and accessible tool, it’s widely used for routine screenings like mammograms and chest X-rays. By aiding early diagnosis and guiding treatment plans, radiography supports proactive healthcare, improving patient outcomes and quality of life while reducing the need for more invasive treatments.

For families, the necessity of screening begins early. A vision exam is advised once for children aged 3 to 5 years, followed by frequent check-ups to assess their height, weight, and overall development.

Adults should aim to get their blood pressure checked every two years. Speaking with your healthcare practitioner may be a good place to start thinking about what screening is suitable for you. Consider asking for a risk assessment test every 3-5 years to evaluate if and how frequently you should be checked for high blood sugar (diabetes) and heart disease. For males who smoke or used to smoke, an ultrasound scan can detect an aortic aneurysm (weakness in the wall); if significant, surgical treatment can avoid mortality from rupture. Sharing decision-making with your healthcare practitioner is a powerful tool for determining which screenings are best for you and your family members.

Osteoporosis affects over 27% of women over 65. A single scan, known as a DEXA, can lead to early treatment and the prevention of major fractures.

Several infections can be recognized and treated well to avoid long-term consequences. These include sexually transmitted infections.

Cancer screenings are available for breast (every 2-3 years for biological females aged 50-74 years), cervical (every 3 years for ages 25-69 years with conventional testing or every 5 years for ages 30-65 using HPV-based testing), colon (stool testing every 2 years or colonoscopy every 10 years for ages 50-74 years), and lung cancer (yearly for 3 years for smokers or former smokers aged 55-74).

The greater impact of having a screening test

Screening detects problems before symptoms appear. Early detection of a condition can lead to better treatment outcomes. Furthermore, knowing if you have a health concern or a higher risk of developing one might help you make better health decisions.

Screening can decrease the likelihood of acquiring an illness or its consequences. Some fatalities from abdominal aortic aneurysms, bowel cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer are preventable.

While preventive care is commonly associated with avoiding illnesses, it can also refer to preventing consequences from illnesses that unavoidably arise.

Early detection and intervention are kinds of preventive care that help to avoid consequences caused by diagnostic or therapeutic delays.

(The author is Dr. Aakaar Kapoor, CEO and Lead Medical Advisor: City X-Ray and Scan Clinic Founder and Partner: City Imaging & Clinical Labs, and the views expressed in this article are his own)