When you have a family, their health and wellbeing are going to always be at the forefront of your mind. We do countless thing to ensure the best health and wellbeing possible. We ensure everyone’s getting a good diet. We encourage everyone to exercise. But we should also be making sure that everyone in our family is booking in the important health appointments that they need. Here’s some more information to help you achieve this!
Children
Every child needs vaccines to avoid dangerous, or even potentially fatal, diseases and illnesses. Not only is it important to vaccinate your own child for their sake, but it’s important for the health and wellbeing other other members of society who can’t have vaccines and rely on herd immunity to avoid sickness. The following vaccines are recommended for your little ones.
Before the age of 8 weeks
- 6 in one vaccine (protects against diphtheria, hepatitis B, Hib, polio, tetanus and whooping cough)
- Rotavirus vaccine
- MenB
Before the age of 12 weeks
- 6 in one vaccine (second dose)
- Rotavirus vaccine (second dose)
- PCV vaccine
Before the age of 16 weeks
- 6 in one vaccine (third dose)
- MenB (second dose)
1 year old
- Hib/MenC
- MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
- PCV vaccine (second dose)
- MenB (third dose)
2 – 10 years old
- Flu vaccine (annually)
3 years and four months
- MMR (second dose)
- Pre-school booster
12 – 13 years old
- HPV vaccine
14 years old
- Teenage booster
- MenACWY
Women Over 25
If there are any women over the age of 25 in your family, they should be booking in for cervical screening. Cervical screening, also known as a “smear test” or “pap smear” is a medical process that surveys the cervix for any irregular cells, which could indicate the start or presence of cervical cancer. It is recommended that women aged 25 to 44 have a cervical smear carried out once every three years (unless your doctor requests more regular checks). From the age of 45 to 60, you will be asked to have a cervical smear carried out once every five years.
It is also important that women regularly check their own breasts for any changes, lumps or bumps. If any changes, lumps or bumps are detected, it’s then important to check in with the doctor for breast screening. This can identify early cases of breast cancer.
Men Over 50
Sadly, studies have found that around one in every seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their life. This shows that the condition is relatively common. If a man in your family is aged 50 or over, a prostate exam is absolutely essential. This exam can help to detect early signs of prostate cancer, allowing treatment at a prostate cancer treatment center to be carried out as early as possible, maximising chances of recovery and survival in many cases.
Everyone
Common appointments everyone should book in include:
- Dental and hygienist appointments (once every six months)
- Eye tests (once every two years)
As you can see, the appointments that different people should be attending vary. But hopefully, some of the above information will help you to get your family started out in the right direction!
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