1 Mammogram
What it is: An X-ray examination for breast cancer which is 85 per cent accurate.
Who it's for: Women between 40 and 49 should have one done annually and women above 50 years should do it once every two years.
What it involves: The breast is gently compressed between two plastic plates of the X-ray machine to help spread out the breast tissue so that the image comes out clearer.
Where: X-ray centres located at selected polyclinics and hospitals as well as private X-ray centres.

2 Pap smear
What it is: A screening test for cervical cancer which looks at the appearance of cells in the cervix.
Who it's for: Women between 25 and 69 who have had sex or who are sexually active should go for a Pap smear once every three years.
What it involves: A medical tool called a speculum is inserted into the vagina so that the doctor can get a clear view of the cervix.
The doctor then collects some cells from the cervix using a small brush and smear them on a glass slide, which will be sent to the laboratory for tests.
Where: All women's clinics, polyclinics, most hospitals and the Singapore Cancer Society at 15Enggor Street #04-01/04, Realty Centre.

3 Colorectal cancer screening
What it is: A battery of tests which helps to detect colorectal cancer at an early stage.
Who it's for: Women above 50 should have a faecal occult blood (FOB) test annually or a colonoscopy once every 10 years.
What it involves: The FOB is non-invasive and detects small amounts of blood in the stool.
A colonoscopy requires dietary restriction and bowel cleansing before an instrument is inserted via the anus to inspect the colon.
Where: FOB tests are available at most primary care clinics while colonoscopies are available at most hospitals.

4 Bone mineral density test
What it is: An X-ray test which measures how many grams of calcium and bone minerals you have in a segment of bone.
Who it's for: Post-menopausal women.
What it involves: A large scanner passes over your body while you are lying down to take X-rays of your lower spine and hip. Alternatively, a portable machine may be used to measure the bone density of your wrist, finger or heel.
Where: Most hospitals and selected private clinics.

5 Heart disease screening
What it is: This refers to the wide range of tests available to diagnose the different forms and stages of heart disease.
Who it's for: Women aged 40 and above should start heart health check-ups.
What it involves: The doctor first takes your medical history and conduct a physical examination which includes blood pressure and pulse checks.
He may then draw blood for a battery of tests to check on cholesterol, blood sugar and lipid levels. If required, you may have to take further tests like an electrocardiogram, a method of measuring the electrical impulses in the heart by placing 12 electrodes on your chest and limbs, or an exercise stress test which involves a doctor monitoring your heart rate as you run on a treadmill.
Where: Most clinics and hospitals, depending on the diagnostic test.

This story was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times, on May 21, 2008.