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Early disease detection (non-cancer)

Why is it important to identify health issues early? When you do, it may prevent or delay the onset of disease or make it more likely that the disease can be successfully treated. Screening tests can help to identify health issues before symptoms appear. It’s also important to consider your risk factors to help select screening options. Read our resources below and talk to your doctor for more information.

Diabetic foot care: Awareness and prevention are vital

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Patient Decision Aid

Prostate Cancer Screening: Should I Have a PSA Test?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps men considering a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test decide on whether or not to have a test by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Patient Decision Aid

Heart Disease Risk: Should I Have a Coronary Calcium Scan?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people who are curious about their risk for heart disease but don't have angina symptoms decide on whether or not to have a coronary calcium scan. It facilitates the process by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Web Resource Rating

Screening for coronary heart disease with electrocardiography: Consumer fact sheet
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)

If you are at low risk for coronary heart disease and do not have symptoms, screening with electrocardiography (ECG) is not recommended since the harms outweigh the benefits. More research is need to make recommendations about screening for people at high risk for coronary heart disease.
Web Resource Rating

Screening for hearing loss in older adults: Consumer fact sheet
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)

Hearing loss is common among older adults but may be difficult to notice. There is not enough evidence to know if screening helps people who may not be aware of their hearing loss or who have chosen not to seek help.
Web Resource Rating

Screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea: Consumer fact sheet
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)

Sexually active women over 24 years old who do not use condoms or have more than one sexual partner should get screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Patient Decision Aid

Heart Disease: Should I Have an Angiogram?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people wishing to confirm the diagnosis of coronary artery disease decide on whether or not to have an angiogram by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Patient Decision Aid

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Should I Get a Screening Test?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people without symptoms or a diagnosis of an abdominal aortic aneurysm decide on whether or not to get a screening test by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Web Resource Rating

Screening for carotid artery stenosis final recommendation fact sheet
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)

Carotid artery stenosis is more common among older men and can lead to a stroke. Healthy adults without symptoms do not need to be screened for carotid artery stenosis.
Web Resource Rating

Type 2 diabetes: Patient FAQ
Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care

Find answers to frequently asked questions about type 2 diabetes in this resource. Help prevent diabetes: eat a healthy diet and limit fat, salt and alcohol, control your blood pressure and cholesterol levels and do not smoke.
Web Resource Rating

Type 2 diabetes: Patient FINDRISC
Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care

Use this risk calculator to find out your risk for type 2 diabetes and see if you should be tested. Many people with diabetes have no symptoms. Speak to your doctor if you notice diabetes symptoms such as unusual thirst, the need to pee a lot, lack of energy, blurred vision, tingling or numbness in your hands or feet.
Evidence Summary

Healthy people should be screened for risk of getting heart disease. It is not clear how best to screen people.
Ann Intern Med (2016)
Evidence Summary

Treatment is effective for many eye problems, but screening people who do not have eye symptoms doesn’t improve benefits
JAMA (2016)
Evidence Summary

Non-physician screening and self-screening can detect raised blood pressure
American Journal of Hypertension (2015)
Evidence Summary

Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm using ultrasound can reduce risk of death
Ann Intern Med (2014)
Evidence Summary

Tests detect dementia in older people; cognitive stimulation or some drugs may slightly improve cognitive function
Ann Intern Med (2013)
Patient Decision Aid

Osteoporosis: Should I have a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) test?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps women over 65 or at higher risk for osteoporosis decide on whether or not to have a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) test by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Patient Decision Aid

Sleep Apnea: Should I Have a Sleep Study?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people with symptoms of sleep apnea decide on whether or not to have a sleep study by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Web Resource Rating

Colon polyps
Mayo Clinic

Signs of colon polyps include abdominal pain, blood in stool or a change in bathroom habits. It is important to get screened if you are at risk since some polyps can develop into colon cancer. Many polyps can be removed during screening.
Patient Decision Aid

HIV Testing: Should I Get Tested for Human Immunodeficiency Virus?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people decide on whether or not to get tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Web Resource Rating

Screening for chronic kidney disease: Consumer fact sheet
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)

Older age, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and a family history put you at higher risk for kidney disease. There is not enough evidence to weigh the benefits and harms of screening for kidney disease among adults who don't have diabetes, high blood pressure or symptoms of kidney disease.
Web Resource Rating

Lately, I've had a lot of leg pain, especially when sitting at my desk or standing in line at the store. Should I be concerned about this new aching?
Mayo Clinic

Leg pain can have many causes including a build-up of fluid in the leg veins. New and lasting leg pain is a good reason to visit your doctor. Support socks or hose can help ease pain from fluid buildup.
Patient Decision Aid

Low Back Pain: Should I Have an MRI?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people with acute low back pain decide on whether or not to have an MRI by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Patient Decision Aid

Health Screenings: Should I Buy Commercial Tests?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people decide on whether or not to buy a commercial screening package by comparing the benefits, risks and side effects of both options.
Web Resource Rating

Cataracts Causes, Symptoms, Vision Tests, and Surgery
Medicine Net

Lower your risk of cataracts by not smoking, limiting alcohol, controlling diabetes and wearing sunglasses. Eyeglasses or contact lenses can help correct vision. Cataract surgery is a safe and effective treatment. Pictures in this slideshow.
Web Resource Rating

Detecting dementia: How hit and miss is this questionnaire?
Evidently Cochrane

The IQCODE questionnaire can be used to find out whether you have a memory disorder. The test can lead to false dementia diagnosis for healthy patients. A single tool is likely not the best approach for diagnosing dementia.
Web Resource Rating

Rectal Bleeding (blood in stool)
Patient.co.uk

Blood in your faeces (poop) can come from anywhere in the gut. Hemorrhoids are the most common cause of rectal bleeding. If you notice any bleeding or have black faeces, see a doctor. They will perform tests to find the cause.
Web Resource Rating

Screening: What might help you decide
Informed Health Online

Screening tests are more useful if the disease is serious, if the test is reliable, if the test is not harmful and if the disease has better treatment options when detected early. Screening is not a diagnosis and can sometimes lead to a false alarm. This resource includes questions to ask your doctor.
Evidence Summary

Dedicated osteoporosis health professionals can effectively screen and treat outpatients with acute low trauma fractures
Archives of Osteoporosis (2014)
Patient Decision Aid

STI Testing: Should I Get Tested For a Sexually Transmitted Infection?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people decide on whether or not to get tested for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Patient Decision Aid

Fertility Problems: Should I Be Tested?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people with fertility problems decide on whether or not to have tests to find the cause of infertility by comparing the benefits, risks and side effects of both options.
Patient Decision Aid

Hepatitis B: Should I Be Tested?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people decide on whether or not to have a blood test for hepatitis B or hepatitis C by comparing the benefits, risks and side effects of both options.
Patient Decision Aid

Meniscus tear: Should I have a diagnostic test (MRI or arthroscopy)?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps with suspected meniscal tear decide on whether to have a diagnostic test (MRI or arthroscopy) or try other treatment methods such as physical therapy or home treatment. It facilitates this process by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Patient Decision Aid

Headaches: Should I Have Imaging Tests to Find Out What's Causing My Headaches?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people considering diagnostic imaging to evaluate their headaches decide on whether or not to have imaging tests by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Patient Decision Aid

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Should I Have Tests for IBS Symptoms?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps individuals who are uncertain if they have irritable bowel syndrome decide on whether or not to have tests for IBS symptoms by comparing the benefits, risks and side effects of both options. It includes alternative options to having tests such as trying home treatment.
Web Resource Rating

Slide show: Age-related vision problems
Mayo Clinic

Recognize signs of eye floaters, cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration which can occur with age. Speak with your doctor about changes in your eyesight.
Blog Post

Knowing your numbers to help keep your blood pressure in check

When it comes to high blood pressure, “knowing your numbers” is key. A couple of promising blood pressure screening and monitoring options may help you stay on top of your numbers and help you and your health care provider create the best possible treatment plan.
Blog Post

Just a "senior's moment"? What are the best ways to diagnose dementia?

Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, finding out the best ways to diagnose the condition early may help people to access the best available treatments and support and maintain control and independence for as long as possible.
Blog Post

Diabetic foot care: Awareness and prevention are vital

People with diabetes are at significantly higher risk for foot disease including ulcers that can lead to serious health problems. A leading expert in diabetic foot care provides important facts and strategies for prevention and protection.

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