Health Screening 101: Common Questions Answered (2025)

Health Screening 101: All Your Common Questions Answered

What Does Health Screening Mean?

Health screening is a preventive measure, designed to identify diseases and conditions in their early stages, even when there are no symptoms. This approach allows for early intervention, which can lead to better health outcomes. Screening tests can identify risk factors and help guide lifestyle adjustments to prevent health issues from developing or worsening.

What Is a Health Screening Test?

A health screening test is a comprehensive medical examination designed for asymptomatic individuals to detect early signs of diseases or conditions. It encompasses a range of assessments from simple measurements such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels to advanced procedures like mammograms and colonoscopies, along with a variety of blood tests.These tests are crucial for identifying conditions like:

  • high cholesterol,
  • diabetes,
  • liver function issues,
  • and heart disease risk factors.

This offers a holistic view of an individual's health status and helps to guide preventive measures.

Is Health Screening Necessary?

Yes, health screening is an important part of preventive care. Early detection allows individuals to take proactive steps in managing their health, potentially preventing more serious conditions down the line. It can save lives, reduce the impact of disease, and enhance overall quality of life.

As a general guide, it’s recommended to undergo health screening once every 1–3 years. If you have existing health risks or medical conditions, more frequent screening may be advised. You may also refer to our video on how often should one do health screening.

Is there a MC for health screening?

Health screenings are preventive in nature and meant to be done when one is feeling well. As such, medical certificates (MCs) are not issued. However, we are happy to provide a time chit upon request to indicate your attendance.

Can you screen for all cancers?

While no single test can screen for all types of cancer, we offer the LucenceINSIGHT™ liquid biopsy - a non-invasive blood test that can detect up to 50 common cancers, including lung, breast, colorectal, prostate, and liver cancers. This test can identifies circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the bloodstream, which may help with early cancer detection.

In addition, we can recommend screening tests based on your individual risk factors, age, and family history. Our doctors will guide you on the most appropriate screenings for your health profile.

You may also refer to our video on cancer screening.

How Much Is Health Screening?

The cost of health screening in Singapore varies significantly based on the complexity and comprehensiveness of the tests included. Basic screenings may be more affordable, while comprehensive packages that include a wide range of tests can be more expensive. Prices can also vary between providers.

Screening Price*
Screen For Life (Basic & Government Subsidised Screening) From $0
Clinic Health Screening From $76
Home Health Screening From $109
*Prices are NETT and inclusive of GST.

The Screen for Life program is designed to be more accessible and affordable, focusing on key screenings that cater to the broadest needs of the population. It is subsidised by the government to encourage widespread participation in preventive health measures. While it covers essential screenings, it might not include specific tests like liver, thyroid or kidney function tests, which are typically found in more comprehensive health screening packages.

If you have questions, please reach out to our friendly staff.

Where To Do Health Screening in Singapore?

ATA Medical - One Stop Health Screening Clinic with X Ray, CT Scan, Mammogram and Ultrasound scans.
ATA Medical Orchard Clinic with Health Screening Nurses and Staff
Orchard Clinic
ATA Medical Tanjong Pagar Clinic with Health Screening Nurses and Staff
Tanjong Pagar Clinic
Patient having a health screening review with Dr Jana Lim of ATA Medical
Health Screening Review with Dr Jana Lim

Singapore offers a wide range of options for health screenings, from public hospitals and polyclinics to private clinics and specialised screening centres. Many institutions provide packages tailored to different needs, ages, and risk factors.

At ATA Medical, our two clinics offer dedicated health screening clinics, which means you experience both efficient health screening while being minimally exposed to acutely ill patients.

Our clinics are conveniently located in central Singapore:

Can I Drink Water Before Health Screening?

Drinking water is generally allowed before most health screenings. It's important to follow the specific instructions provided by the healthcare provider for accurate results.

How Long Does Health Screening Take?

The duration of a health screening typically ranges from 30 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the number and type of tests in your package. Some results may be available on the same day, while others could take a few days or weeks. At ATA Medical, we value your time and aim to complete your visit as efficiently as possible.

What Should I Do Before a Health Screening?

Before a health screening, fasting may not always be necessary due to the use of specific tests like the HbA1c for diabetes, which doesn't require fasting to provide accurate results.

Similarly, modern methods for cholesterol testing allow for accurate assessments without fasting. This flexibility in testing procedures enhances convenience for individuals, making the screening process more accessible and less restrictive.

Most of our health screening packages, such as Noble ($226*) and above do not require any fasting.

What Does a Full Health Screening Include?

Full health screenings typically include a combination of physical examinations, blood tests, imaging tests (like X-rays, CT Scans or Ultrasounds), and other diagnostic procedures to assess various health markers, such as cholesterol levels, blood sugar, blood pressure, and more.

Which Health Screening Is Best?

The best health screening is one that's personalised to your age, gender, lifestyle, and medical or family history. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, it should include essential tests relevant to your profile, along with any additional screenings recommended by a doctor.

At ATA Medical, we take time to understand your health background so we can recommend what’s truly relevant for you. If you're unsure which screening is right for you, our friendly doctors will be happy to guide you through the options.