biomarkers are measurable biological indicators (proteins, blood glucose) that provide objective, assessments of health status, disease risk, and treatment response.
key benefits include early diagnosis, guiding personalized treatment and treatment response.
key benefits biomarkers –
- early diagnosis – identify disease (cancer, infection) at early stage, often before symptoms appear, using markers like PSA FOR PROSTATE CANCER, CA125 For ovarian cancer.
- Disease Monitoring and prognosis -tracks disease progression and predicts outcome, such as monitoring creatinine level for kidney damage .
- treatment response – Allows doctors to identify specific patient to target therapies, improve efficacy.
- Effectiveness – Evolutes drug safety and helps determine if a treatment is working.
Examples of Biomarkers –
1. Blood pressure and Temperature
2. Tumor Markers
3. Molecular Markers
4. blood test – LIKE Complete blood check (cbc), Blood sugar level(bsl), lipid profile
5. Imaging Markers – scans like CT , mri , Xray, Mammography
Here are few Blood test according to your gender and Age – HEALTH MAINTENANCE GUIDELINES FOR ADULTS
ADULT SCREENING GUIDELINES
TEST WHO FREQUENCY
1.Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
Ultrasound examination – Men ages 65 to 75 – who have ever smoked One-time screening; not needed if abdominal CT scan has been done after age 65
2.Breast Cancer Screening
Mammography – Generally recommended at age 40 for average-risk women; consider stopping at age 75 Age and frequency of testing determined by individual risk factors and family history; discuss with physician
3.Cervical Cancer Screening
Pap smear/human papilloma virus (HPV) testing – For women ages 21 to 65 with no previous abnormalities Pap test without HPV test every 3 years, ages 21 to 30; pap test with HPV test every 5 years beginning at age 30 (Screening paps are not required after hysterectomy unless surgery was performed for cancer or precancerous disease.)
4.Cholesterol Screening
Lipid panel, nonfasting – For men starting at age 35 and women starting at age 45, or starting at age 25 if cardiac risk profile indicates high risk Every 5 years or more based on individual results and risk profile
5. Colorectal Cancer Screening
Screening colonoscopy (preferred method) For men and women ages 45 to 75; patients older than 75 should discuss the procedure with a physician. For those with a high-risk family history, screening should begin at age 40 or 10 years before the age when a first-degree relative was diagnosed with colorectal cancer/precancerous polyps. Every 10 years Immunochemical fecal occult blood test Once yearly Flexible sigmoidoscopy Every 5 years, with a immunochemical fecal occult blood test every 3 years Stool DNA testing Every 3 years
6.Diabetes Risk Assessment Hemoglobin A1C testing For men and women over age 35 with risk factors Every 3 years Body mass index greater than 30 Every 3 years
7. HIV Screening
One-time screening recommended for pregnant patients and those between ages 13 and 65; need for follow-up tests based on individual risk factors
8.Hypertension Screening Blood pressure measurement For all men and women, regardless of age Every 1 to 2 years
9.Lung Cancer Screening Low-dose CT For men and women ages 50 to 80 with no signs or symptoms of lung cancer who have a smoking history of 20+ packs per year (e.g., one pack a day for 20+ years or two packs a day for 10+ years), active smokers, and those who have smoked within the last 15 years Once yearly for patients who qualify
10.Mental Health Screening Depression and anxiety testing Recommend screening adults ages 18-64, including women who are pregnant or postpartum Once yearly
11.Osteoporosis Screening DXA (bone-density testing) For women ages 65 and over or starting at menopause if additional risk factors exist Baseline testing with follow-up interval based on test results
12.Prostate Cancer Screening Prostate-specific antigen testing Begin discussion at age 45 for Black men. Start discussion at age 55 for average-risk men. Follow up based on individual preferences after discussion with physician
13.Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening Routine chlamydia and gonorrhea screening For women age 24 and younger who are sexually active, and women over age 24 who are at increased risk Once yearly
14.Hepatitis C screening For all men and women ages 18 to 79 One-time screening
The practice of subjecting patients to broad test profiles during an annual checkup continues despite the lack of evidence supporting its benefits and even the possibility that it may be harmful. In this blog, we describe the practices with the greatest potential for usefulness, based on updated scientific evidence, as well as the instruments for implementing them and the frequency of reassessment, if indicated. The measures described here are continually updated, and periodic monitoring is recommended.
By summarizing and focusing on the recommended measures, we hope to contribute to safer medical practices, especially for asymptomatic patients, who visit their physicians in the hope of preserving their health and achieving a longer, more productive life. It is important to remember that these recommendations are constantly evolving, and several are in the process of being reevaluated .