Top 10 Health Screening Items You Should Not Neglect

Medically Reviewed By: Dr Leonard Leng – MBBS, MMed (FM), GDOM, DWD
Last updated: Apr 14, 2026

Most people think of health screening as something you do when you turn 40 or when your company offers it. But the real value of a health screening lies in what it catches before you notice anything wrong. Conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, and certain cancers can develop silently over years, causing damage long before symptoms show up.

The specific tests you need depend on your age, gender, family history, and lifestyle. Still, there are core screening items that form the foundation of any meaningful health check, whether you are going for your first screen or updating a routine one.

Here are 10 health screening tests that are widely recommended, and why each one matters.

A full blood count measures your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It is one of the most commonly ordered blood tests because it provides a broad snapshot of your overall health in a single draw.

What it can detect or monitor: An FBC can flag conditions such as anaemia (low red blood cells), infections (elevated white blood cells), and clotting disorders (abnormal platelet counts).

It also serves as an early indicator that something may need further investigation, even when you feel well. If you have a known condition such as anaemia or a blood disorder, regular FBCs help track whether it is stable or worsening.

When to get tested: At any age. An FBC is typically included in even the most basic screening packages as a standard part of routine health checks.

The most common tests for diabetes and blood sugar include fasting blood glucose, which captures your blood sugar at a single point in time, and HbA1c, which reflects your average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. Together, they give a more complete picture of how your body manages blood sugar than either test alone.

For a more detailed metabolic assessment, your doctor may recommend additional tests such as an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), which measures how your body processes sugar over two hours, or HOMA-IR, which estimates your level of insulin resistance.

What it can detect or monitor: Pre-diabetes often has no symptoms, so regular screening is the only reliable way to catch it early. OGTT and HOMA-IR can identify insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance before they progress to diabetes.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes, HbA1c helps track how well your blood sugar is being managed over time, whether through lifestyle changes, medication, or both. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) can also track patterns over days or weeks, offering insights that a single blood draw cannot capture.

When to get tested: From age 40, every three years, under the Healthier SG Screening programme. Those with risk factors such as a family history of diabetes or obesity may benefit from earlier screening.

A standard lipid profile measures your total cholesterol, LDL ("bad") cholesterol, HDL ("good") cholesterol, and triglycerides.

For a more precise assessment of cardiovascular risk, your doctor may recommend testing for apolipoprotein B (ApoB), which measures the number of potentially harmful cholesterol particles in your blood, and lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), a genetically determined risk factor that typically only needs to be tested once.

What it can detect or monitor: High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, and typically causes no symptoms until damage has already occurred. Results help guide decisions around diet, exercise, and whether medication may be needed.

Even if you eat well and exercise regularly, genetic factors can still push cholesterol levels into unhealthy ranges, which is why screening matters regardless of lifestyle. ApoB and Lp(a) can identify elevated risk even when standard cholesterol numbers appear normal.

When to get tested: From age 40, every three years, under the Healthier SG Screening programme, or earlier if risk factors are present.

A liver function test checks how well your liver is working by measuring enzymes, proteins, and bilirubin in your blood. The liver plays a central role in metabolism, detoxification, and nutrient storage, so early detection of liver problems can prevent progression to more serious conditions.

What it can detect or monitor: Common findings include elevated liver enzymes, which can signal fatty liver disease, hepatitis, or alcohol-related damage.

Fatty liver in particular has become increasingly common in Singapore, even among people who do not drink alcohol. Since liver disease is often silent in its early stages, routine screening is one of the few ways to detect it before significant damage occurs.

If you have a known liver condition, regular testing helps track whether it is stable or progressing.

When to get tested: At any age. A liver function test is a standard component of most health screening packages.

A kidney function test measures markers such as creatinine, urea, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to assess how efficiently your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood.

What it can detect or monitor: Chronic kidney disease affects a significant number of adults in Singapore, often in connection with diabetes and high blood pressure. Kidney damage is largely irreversible once it progresses beyond a certain point, making early detection particularly important.

If you already have a condition that affects kidney health, such as diabetes or hypertension, regular testing helps monitor whether your kidney function is declining over time.

When to get tested: At any age, but especially relevant if you have diabetes, hypertension, a family history of kidney disease, or if you regularly take medications that can affect kidney function such as certain painkillers.

A thyroid function test measures hormones produced by the thyroid gland, including TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), Free T3, and Free T4. The thyroid regulates metabolism, energy levels, and body temperature, so even small imbalances can have wide-ranging effects.

What it can detect or monitor: Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can cause fatigue, weight gain, and sensitivity to cold, while hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) may lead to weight loss, anxiety, and rapid heartbeat. Because the symptoms overlap with many other conditions, a blood test is the only reliable way to confirm a thyroid issue.

If you are already on thyroid medication, regular testing helps ensure your dosage is keeping hormone levels within the target range.

When to get tested: Both conditions are more common in women and can develop at any age. Consider including this test if you have symptoms such as unexplained fatigue, weight changes, or a family history of thyroid disorders.

Cancer screening aims to detect cancer or pre-cancerous changes before symptoms develop, when treatment is most likely to be successful. The specific tests recommended depend on your age and gender.

Cancer Screening for Women

Pap smear screens for cervical cancer by detecting pre-cancerous cells on the cervix and is recommended for women aged 25 to 29 onwards, every three years.

HPV test identifies high-risk strains of human papillomavirus that can lead to cervical cancer. From age 30 onwards, it is recommended every five years.

Mammogram screens for breast cancer using an X-ray of the breast tissue and is recommended annually for women aged 40 to 49, and every two years from age 50 onwards. Women below 40 with risk factors such as a family history of breast cancer or BRCA gene mutations may benefit from earlier screening.

Cancer Screening for Men

PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is a blood test that measures a protein produced by the prostate gland. Elevated levels can indicate prostate cancer, though non-cancerous conditions such as an enlarged prostate can also raise PSA. Men aged 50 and above are encouraged to consider screening, or earlier for those with a family history of prostate or breast cancer.

Cancer Screening for Both Men and Women

Stool occult blood test screens for colorectal cancer by detecting hidden blood in the stool. It is recommended annually from age 50, with follow-up colonoscopy if the result is positive.

Colonoscopy provides a direct visual examination of the colon using a flexible camera and is recommended from age 50, every 10 years. Polyps found during the procedure can be removed at the same time, preventing them from developing into cancer. Those with a family history of colorectal cancer may need to start earlier.

Liquid biopsy analyses a blood sample for circulating tumour DNA and can screen for multiple cancer types simultaneously. Unlike traditional biopsies, it is a detection tool rather than a diagnostic one, so a positive result would still require further investigation. It is increasingly available as an optional add-on for those who want broader coverage.

Low-dose CT lung screening uses a low-radiation CT scan to detect early-stage lung cancer and other lung abnormalities. It is generally recommended for adults aged 50 and above with a significant smoking history, including current and former smokers.

STI screening typically involves blood and urine tests that check for common sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea.

What it can detect or monitor: Many STIs, including HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B, can remain asymptomatic for extended periods and carry serious long-term health consequences if undetected.

Hepatitis B and C in particular can lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer if left untreated. Hepatitis B is particularly relevant in Singapore, where carrier rates remain significant and many carriers are unaware of their status.

When to get tested: At least once for hepatitis B and C if you have never been tested. Broader STI screening is recommended for anyone who is sexually active, particularly if you have had multiple partners or unprotected intercourse. Screening frequency depends on your level of risk, and your doctor can advise on what is appropriate.

Nutritional deficiency screening checks your blood levels of key vitamins and minerals, commonly including vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron, and folate. These nutrients play essential roles in energy production, immune function, bone health, and red blood cell formation.

What it can detect or monitor: Deficiencies in vitamin D are widespread in Singapore despite the tropical climate, often due to limited sun exposure from indoor lifestyles and sun avoidance.

Low vitamin B12 is common among older adults, vegetarians, and those on certain medications such as metformin. Iron deficiency is a frequent cause of fatigue, particularly in women with heavy menstrual periods. Left unchecked, these deficiencies can contribute to conditions such as anaemia, osteoporosis, nerve damage, and impaired immunity.

If you have been diagnosed with a deficiency, regular testing helps monitor whether supplementation is bringing your levels back to a healthy range.

When to get tested: At any age, but particularly relevant if you experience persistent fatigue, muscle weakness, hair loss, or frequent illness. Those on restricted diets, older adults, and individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes are at higher risk of deficiency.

What it measures: Cardiac screening assesses the structure and function of your heart. Common tests include an electrocardiogram (ECG), which records your heart's electrical activity, an echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound to visualise how your heart chambers and valves are working, and a coronary calcium score, which uses a CT scan to measure calcium deposits in your coronary arteries.

What it can detect or monitor: These tests can detect conditions such as irregular heart rhythms, signs of a previous heart attack, valve problems, weakened heart muscle, and early plaque build-up in the arteries.

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in Singapore, and many cardiac conditions develop without obvious symptoms. If you have a known heart condition or are on medication for hypertension or high cholesterol, regular cardiac screening helps track whether your heart health is stable.

When to get tested: From age 40, or earlier if you have risk factors such as a family history of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, smoking, or obesity. Your doctor can recommend which cardiac tests are appropriate based on your risk profile.

The recommended frequency depends on your age, risk factors, and existing health conditions. However, certain tests have specific frequency guidelines based on your age and gender, as summarised in the table below:

If you have existing conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or a family history of heart disease or cancer, your doctor may recommend more frequent monitoring of specific markers.

Many clinics in Singapore offer bundled health screening packages at different price points. For a breakdown of what these typically include and cost, read our guide to health screening prices in Singapore or check out our comprehensive health screening packages at ATA Medical.

"Many conditions we screen for, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and fatty liver, develop silently over years. Regular screening gives you the opportunity to act before they progress, which can make a meaningful difference to long-term health."
— Dr Leonard Leng

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