Year-End Health Check: Why December Is the Perfect Time for Screening

Year-End Health Check: Why December Is the Perfect Time for Screening

As the year winds down, people often plan gifts, gatherings, and vacations — but one thing many forget to schedule is a year-end health check. December isn’t just a season of reflection; it’s the ideal time to assess your health, detect silent risks, and start the new year strong.

At Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC), preventive care is more than a recommendation — it’s a mission. The hospital’s multidisciplinary teams encourage patients to “screen early, live longer” through comprehensive, accessible, and science-based health programs.

Why December Is the Ideal Month for Health Screening

  1. You have time to focus on yourself. Many people take year-end breaks or lighter workloads in December, making it easier to fit checkups and lab work into your schedule.
  1. You can use your healthcare benefits before they expire. Annual health insurance packages or company HMO plans often reset in January. December screenings ensure you maximize your benefits — and catch issues before coverage renews.
  1. It prepares you for the year ahead. Whether it’s a fitness goal, dietary change, or medical follow-up,
  1. It detects problems before they become serious. Chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and cancer often start silently. Routine tests can uncover these early, when they’re most treatable.

What’s Included in a Comprehensive Health Check

A year-end screening isn’t just about blood pressure or cholesterol. It’s a 360-degree look at your overall well-being, customized to your age, gender, and risk factors.

Basic Health Panel

  • Blood pressure and BMI
  • Blood sugar and cholesterol
  • Urinalysis and complete blood count

Specialized Tests (Depending on Age and History)

  • Cardiac evaluation: ECG or stress test for adults over 40
  • Liver and kidney function: To detect organ stress or early damage
  • Cancer screening:
    • Mammogram or breast ultrasound for women
    • PSA testing for men
    • Colonoscopy for adults aged 45 and above
  • Imaging: Chest X-ray or abdominal ultrasound for organ evaluation

CGHMC’s Health and Wellness Center provides personalized packages designed for early detection, preventive monitoring, and convenience — all under one roof.

Why Screening Is Better Than Treating

Preventive screening is one of the most cost-effective ways to protect health. Research shows that identifying diseases early reduces long-term medical costs, hospital admissions, and complications.

For example:

  • Early diabetes detection helps prevent kidney and heart complications.
  • Routine cholesterol checks can prevent heart attacks and strokes.
  • Cancer screening improves survival rates by up to 90% when caught early.

By investing a few hours for testing now, you can avoid months or years of treatment later.

Who Should Get Checked

Health screenings are recommended for everyone — not just those with symptoms. However, certain individuals should prioritize testing:

  • Adults aged 30 and above
  • Individuals with family history of chronic diseases
  • Smokers, drinkers, or those with sedentary lifestyles
  • People experiencing unexplained fatigue, weight changes, or frequent illness
  • Women and men approaching milestone ages (40s, 50s)

If you haven’t had a check-up in over a year, December is the perfect time to start.

Preparing for Your Year-End Check

Here’s how to make your visit smoother:

  1. Fast for 8–10 hours before blood tests (water only).
  2. Wear light, comfortable clothing.
  3. Bring previous test results for comparison.
  4. List all medications you currently take.
  5. Allocate 2–3 hours for your full assessment.

At CGHMC, nurses and physicians ensure each step — from vital signs to diagnostics — is handled efficiently, with clear communication and patient comfort in mind.

Beyond Tests: A Commitment to Whole-Person Health

CGHMC’s approach goes beyond diagnostics. Every patient receives guidance on lifestyle improvement, nutrition, and long-term disease prevention.

Depending on your results, you may be referred to:

  • Cardiology for hypertension or high cholesterol
  • Endocrinology for diabetes management
  • Pulmonology for respiratory evaluation
  • Gastroenterology for digestive or liver concerns
  • Cancer Institute for screening and follow-up

This integrated model ensures that every test connects to actionable care — not just numbers on a page.

Why Choose CGHMC for Preventive Care

Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center is one of the country’s most trusted institutions for comprehensive health evaluation. Patients choose CGHMC because of:

  • Accredited diagnostic laboratories and imaging services
  • Expert consultants across all major specialties
  • Convenient, all-in-one screening packages
  • Emphasis on preventive medicine and compassionate care
  • Modern facilities and accessible scheduling

The hospital’s Health and Wellness Center continues to lead the way in promoting proactive health — ensuring that prevention remains the strongest form of protection.

Start the New Year Strong

A health check isn’t just a medical appointment — it’s a commitment to yourself and your future. Before the year ends, take a few hours to understand your health, manage risks, and set a positive tone for the months ahead.

The best gift you can give your loved ones this season is your health.

To schedule your Year-End Health Check:

Call (02) 8711 4141 or visit https://cghmc.com.ph/health-service/health-and-wellness-center/ to book your appointment at CGHMC’s Health and Wellness Center.

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