Annual Checkups: Do You Really Need Them Every Year?

You may have noticed that, once a year, your Chinese friends and colleagues spend one day at the local hospital getting their annual checkups. These often involve a production line of blood tests and scans, much like the ones you likely did when you were applying for your China visa or residence permit. At Beijing United Family Hospital (BJU), however, we offer more personalized care, only subjecting patients to tests if their doctor thinks they are necessary. Not sure if you need to do as the proverbial Romans do and get a comprehensive health checkup annually? Read on to learn BJU Family Medicine Physician Dr. Jean-Pierre Dhenin’s recommendations on the matter. 

Do I really need a comprehensive checkup?

As an expat living in China, you may have international insurance. If your insurance policy covers the Chinese-style, very comprehensive annual checkup, or if you can afford to (and are happy to) pay out of pocket, then Dr. Dhenin’s advice is to go for it! “I’ve heard about people who go and do a full-body MRI in the US and why not? If you think that you’ll feel better after you have it and everything is normal, then why not?” he says. However, he cautions that in your pursuit of a clean bill of health, you may uncover other issues, many of which may be benign. You may need to do further (and often unnecessary) testing, which may cause more stress than it’s worth. “It’s like finding a needle in a haystack,” says Dr. Dhenin. “You might come across one if you look for it! But it’s rare.” 

If you do want to be thorough and leave no stone unturned, you can choose to get a comprehensive checkup at BJU. This includes more tests and ultrasounds, mainly for cancer detection. Dr. Dhenin doesn’t necessarily recommend this but says that, if that’s what you want and if you can afford it, then you may do as you please.  

What does the standard checkup at BJU involve?

If you want to do keep your costs low and your efficiency high, however, the standard annual checkup at BJU will probably be enough for you. This is covered by many expat insurance policies and is even included in BJU’s annual membership program along with discounts on medical and dental care. For more information on BJU membership, please email [e-mail].

In this standard annual checkup service, you will have a little chat with your doctor about your health status and concerns. Your doctor will check the general functions of your body (liver, kidneys, cholesterol, blood sugar, etc.) and talk to you about measures you can take to treat diseases or prevent or be proactive about potential issues that your results indicate. You can also ask your doctor about any of your health concerns. “It’s not just taking blood and doing scans and going home,” says Dr. Dhenin.

What will I learn in my annual checkup? 

Dr. Dhenin estimates that roughly 80% of his patients that come in for a checkup are given a clean bill of health and sent on their way. Of the remainder, the vast majority uncover a small issue that can be managed with regular monitoring or a lifestyle change. “Maybe you have diabetes and you need to watch your blood sugar because your blood sugar is really high,” he says. “Sometimes, we see your cholesterol is a bit high, so you should go on a diet and watch what you eat. But it’s nothing really bad.” There is still a small percentage of patients who find a more serious issue, but Dr. Dhenin stresses that this is rare. 

For the most part, you will get out of your health checkup some information about your health and some advice about how to be healthier. Dr. Dhenin usually talks to his patients about preventing disease, be it through vaccinations or changing your habits. “I think education is also important. It’s not just looking for something – it’s also having an exchange and educating about food and exercise and lifestyle and giving counseling,” says Dr. Dhenin. 

Do I really need to get an annual checkup annually? 

The short answer is no. According to the international guidelines that United Family Healthcare (UFH) uses, patients under the age of 50 without chronic conditions or risk factors only need to do health visits every three years. Dr. Dhenin advises that women may get pap smears yearly – or even every three years if the results are normal – from early adulthood. He adds that they may even have their breasts examined at the gynecologist before the age of 50 if they’re worried about breast cancer. After the age of 50, however, an annual checkup is recommended for both men and women, and more comprehensive checkups are usually required. This usually involves colon cancer screening for both sexes and breast cancer screening for women.

What should I keep in mind before getting my checkup? 

Some of the blood tests that are part of the standard checkup need to be done on an empty stomach, so make your appointment before breakfast. Dr. Dhenin also advises getting your checkup done at a time when your body is at its most normal. The day after a big Spring Festival feast, for example, your blood results may come out a bit differently compared to when you’re eating normally. Make sure to get your tests done at a time when you’re eating, drinking, exercising, and smoking at the level that you usually do so that your doctor can give you the most accurate advice possible. 

Dr. Dhenin is a Family Medicine Physician with over 25 years of experience. He speaks French, English, Mandarin, and German. To make an appointment with him or to schedule your annual checkup, please call the BJU Service Center at 4008-919191.

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