A check-up is a general health screening for the early assessment of the health status of healthy individuals, the prevention of disease risks, and the early diagnosis of serious health problems such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

A check-up is crucial for taking care of yourself and your health as well as toknow yourself. For some diseases, especially cancer, early diagnosis is very important. Therefore, early detection of such diseases as a result of check-up scans increases the success of treatment. Awareness and early treatment in all areas of medicine and every disease will increase life quality and extend the life span. Tests that should be in a standard check-up check include: blood count, blood tests evaluating organ functions (liver, kidney, etc.), sedimentation, cholesterol and lipid levels, thyroid (goiter) test, hepatitis (jaundice) test, complete urine analysis, whole abdominal ultrasonography, chest x-ray, electrocardiography and stool tests. When the tests are completed, a general physical examination should be performed.

It is recommended that anyone over the age of 40 should have additional tests including eye examinations, cardiological examinations and cancer screening, in addition to standardized tests with or without familial risk. Those with familial risk should not wait 40 years for these tests. Those in the risk group should take additional tests related to the risks they carry from the age of 30 onwards.

Another purpose of the check-up is to determine the risks of diseases caused by age, sex, smoking, especially hormonal periods (such as fertility-menopause) and to investigate the risk of familial diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke and cancer. Additional check-up tests for those at risk of coronary artery disease in the family are: HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, exercise test and echocardiography. Women with a family history of cancer should have the following tests once per year: PAP smear testing, breast ultrasonography, mammography, pulmonary function tests and lung computed tomography. Men with a family history of cancer should also undergo prostate-specific antigen testing once a year.

The Near East University Hospital Check-Up Centre offers 10 basic check-up packages. You can call 444 0 535, extension 1155 for information and check-up packages.

When coming to your check-up appointment:

• You should not eat breakfast
• Females should not be on their period
• You should not use any kind of vitamins or minerals (advise the doctor if you have)
• You should not consume alcohol
• You should not consume foods that cause gas (raw vegetables, legumes, fruit, carbonated drinks, milk) the day before
• Bring any kind of medication you are taking
• Wear casual clothes

At our check-up centre, our patient consultants will accompany you during the examinations.

It is very important that every healthy individual has a check-up once a year. Take care of yourself, get a check-up, be aware of your health status.