something that you're not sure is right for you, you can find out who
ordered it. If the doctor's name isn't on your list, the procedure may
be meant for someone else.
Ask questions Always ask about any procedure or treatment that seems unusual.
Make them scrub up Less than half of all hospital nurses and doctors clean their hands between patients - one reason millions of people contract hospital-based infections each year. Studies show that its more likely that health-care professionals will wash up, and even use more soap, if someone asks them to. The government has campaigned to get hospitals to improve their hygiene procedures, and many now supply a bottle of hand-sanitiser gel for each patient's bed. If your doesn't, take your own - and don't be afraid to ask staff to use it every time.
Don't leave without instructions Before you're discharged, ask the doctor caring for you for written instructions on how you should care for yourself. Look over the instructions and ask questions, or have a friend or family member do it for you.
Smart screening
Most diseases don't just happen, like the switching on of a light. They develop gradually and impercetibly. By the time you finally feel or observe a symptom, it's likely to have been progressing for a long time. It's a scary thought.
But modern screening test can often inform doctors about what's going on internally even before symptoms occur. Even better, you can check many aspects of your health yourself, in the privacy of your own home.
Checks you can do yourself
Check your ... Weight
Check your weight every two to four weeks and report to your doctor if you gain or lose more than 2-21/2kg (4-5lb) without obvious cause.
Check your ... Urine
It should be clear and light yellow, nearly straw-coloured. If it's dark, you're either not getting enough fluids or you may have some blood in your urine.
Check your ... Stools
These should be a medium brown. If they're black and tarry, or there are signs of blood, let your doctor know.
Check your ... Breasts
Many breast lumps are found by women themselves, or by their partners. As breast tissue can feel different at different times in your monthly cycle, you are the best person to detect any changes from
normal. So make sure you stay 'breast aware'. The best way to feel for any changes is in the shower. See your GP at once if you find an unusual lump, or if you develop any nipple changes, bleeding or discharge.
Check your ... Testicles
Even young men should check their testicles regularly for any usual lumps or bumps that could signal cancer or other problems. Any sudden onset of pain should be reported to your GP promptly.
Check your ... Moles
Examine any moles for changes to their size, shape or colour, which could signy cancer.
Check your ... Hearing
You can take a hearing test by telephone with the RNID (see the Resources section for details).
medical checks
have a ... Dental check-up
Gum disease and tooth decay not only hurt your smile and your breath but can also lead to the type of low-level inflammation that increases your risk of a host of health conditions, including heart disease. Your dentist will tell you how often you need to go for check-ups.
have an ... Eye test
See your optomerist for an eye exam at least once every two years. Tests are free for certain groups, such as school students and anyone aged 60 or over.
have a ... Blood pressure check and cholesterol test
Your GP will monitor these as necessary. If you're over 40 and you've never had them checked, ask to be tested, especially if you have a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
have a ... Cervical screening test
All women between 25 and 64 will be invited for a cervical screening test every three to five years to check for early abnormalities that can be treated to prevent cancer developing.
have a ... Mammogram
Woman aged 50-70 are invited for a screening mammogram every three years to look for signs of breast cancer at an early stage, when treatment is most successful. Once you're over 70 you won't automatically be invited for screening, but you can ask for further mammograms. Research has shown that breast-screening programmes significantly reduce cancer mortality.
have a ... Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test
Not everyone agrees on the need for PSA testing, so talk to your doctor. If you have a high risk of prostate cancer (men with one or more first-degree relatives (father, brother) diagnosed before the age of 65), talk to your doctor about whether screening is a good idea for you.
have a ... Bowel cancer screening test
An NHS programme offers screening for bowel cancer and polyps every two years for all aged 60-69. People over 70 can request a screening kit. Screening uses a faecal occult blood (FOB) test, which detects minute amounts of blood in stools. You can also buy a kit use at home and send off for analysis. Regular bowel cancer screening has been shown to reduce the risk of dying from bowel cancer.
7 Symptoms never to ignore
1 Sudden 'worst-I've-ever-had-in-my-life' headache. Could signify an aneurysm, or bleeding in the brain. Get to A&E immediately.
2 Black, tarry schools or blood with a bowel movement. Could indicate internal bleeding. Call your doctor.
3 Slurred speech, weakness or paralysis (particularly on one side of your body), numbness, confusion. Could be a stroke. Get to A&E.
4 Vaginal bleeding after menopause. Could be a sign of uterine cancer. Call for a doctor's appointment.
5 Sudden weight gain or loss with no change in eating habits. Could indicate liver or thyroid disease, diabetes or cancer. Call your doctor.
6 Sudden flashes of light. Could indicate that your retina is becoming detached. Have someone drive you to A&E immediately.
7 Never-before-experienced pain in your chest, throat, jaw, shoulder, arm or abdomen. It could be a heart attack. Get to A&E immediately.
Ask questions Always ask about any procedure or treatment that seems unusual.
Make them scrub up Less than half of all hospital nurses and doctors clean their hands between patients - one reason millions of people contract hospital-based infections each year. Studies show that its more likely that health-care professionals will wash up, and even use more soap, if someone asks them to. The government has campaigned to get hospitals to improve their hygiene procedures, and many now supply a bottle of hand-sanitiser gel for each patient's bed. If your doesn't, take your own - and don't be afraid to ask staff to use it every time.
Don't leave without instructions Before you're discharged, ask the doctor caring for you for written instructions on how you should care for yourself. Look over the instructions and ask questions, or have a friend or family member do it for you.
Smart screening
Most diseases don't just happen, like the switching on of a light. They develop gradually and impercetibly. By the time you finally feel or observe a symptom, it's likely to have been progressing for a long time. It's a scary thought.
But modern screening test can often inform doctors about what's going on internally even before symptoms occur. Even better, you can check many aspects of your health yourself, in the privacy of your own home.
Checks you can do yourself
Check your ... Weight
Check your weight every two to four weeks and report to your doctor if you gain or lose more than 2-21/2kg (4-5lb) without obvious cause.
Check your ... Urine
It should be clear and light yellow, nearly straw-coloured. If it's dark, you're either not getting enough fluids or you may have some blood in your urine.
Check your ... Stools
These should be a medium brown. If they're black and tarry, or there are signs of blood, let your doctor know.
Check your ... Breasts
Many breast lumps are found by women themselves, or by their partners. As breast tissue can feel different at different times in your monthly cycle, you are the best person to detect any changes from
normal. So make sure you stay 'breast aware'. The best way to feel for any changes is in the shower. See your GP at once if you find an unusual lump, or if you develop any nipple changes, bleeding or discharge.
Check your ... Testicles
Even young men should check their testicles regularly for any usual lumps or bumps that could signal cancer or other problems. Any sudden onset of pain should be reported to your GP promptly.
Check your ... Moles
Examine any moles for changes to their size, shape or colour, which could signy cancer.
Check your ... Hearing
You can take a hearing test by telephone with the RNID (see the Resources section for details).
medical checks
have a ... Dental check-up
Gum disease and tooth decay not only hurt your smile and your breath but can also lead to the type of low-level inflammation that increases your risk of a host of health conditions, including heart disease. Your dentist will tell you how often you need to go for check-ups.
have an ... Eye test
See your optomerist for an eye exam at least once every two years. Tests are free for certain groups, such as school students and anyone aged 60 or over.
have a ... Blood pressure check and cholesterol test
Your GP will monitor these as necessary. If you're over 40 and you've never had them checked, ask to be tested, especially if you have a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
have a ... Cervical screening test
All women between 25 and 64 will be invited for a cervical screening test every three to five years to check for early abnormalities that can be treated to prevent cancer developing.
have a ... Mammogram
Woman aged 50-70 are invited for a screening mammogram every three years to look for signs of breast cancer at an early stage, when treatment is most successful. Once you're over 70 you won't automatically be invited for screening, but you can ask for further mammograms. Research has shown that breast-screening programmes significantly reduce cancer mortality.
have a ... Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test
Not everyone agrees on the need for PSA testing, so talk to your doctor. If you have a high risk of prostate cancer (men with one or more first-degree relatives (father, brother) diagnosed before the age of 65), talk to your doctor about whether screening is a good idea for you.
have a ... Bowel cancer screening test
An NHS programme offers screening for bowel cancer and polyps every two years for all aged 60-69. People over 70 can request a screening kit. Screening uses a faecal occult blood (FOB) test, which detects minute amounts of blood in stools. You can also buy a kit use at home and send off for analysis. Regular bowel cancer screening has been shown to reduce the risk of dying from bowel cancer.
7 Symptoms never to ignore
1 Sudden 'worst-I've-ever-had-in-my-life' headache. Could signify an aneurysm, or bleeding in the brain. Get to A&E immediately.
2 Black, tarry schools or blood with a bowel movement. Could indicate internal bleeding. Call your doctor.
3 Slurred speech, weakness or paralysis (particularly on one side of your body), numbness, confusion. Could be a stroke. Get to A&E.
4 Vaginal bleeding after menopause. Could be a sign of uterine cancer. Call for a doctor's appointment.
5 Sudden weight gain or loss with no change in eating habits. Could indicate liver or thyroid disease, diabetes or cancer. Call your doctor.
6 Sudden flashes of light. Could indicate that your retina is becoming detached. Have someone drive you to A&E immediately.
7 Never-before-experienced pain in your chest, throat, jaw, shoulder, arm or abdomen. It could be a heart attack. Get to A&E immediately.
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