Also known as health exams, physical examinations or routine physical examinations, checkups can find problems before they start or before they get a foothold, and as we all know, prevention is better than cure.

Although many consider the need for having health checkups unnecessary or only for those with advanced years, having regular annual checkups is a good idea for people from the age of 30 years. Those into their 50s who don’t go for regular checkups should have a rethink, as this is the age when diseases may start to set in more frequently, plus the body generally shows signs of wear and tear at an increased rate.

The depth of checkups you need will depend on a number of criteria, including your age, your current state of health and your family history, as well as whether you smoke, your level of fitness and even what you eat.

Health checkups generally include a weight check, blood pressure check, regular pulse check, vision tests, and a lookout for breast cancer, testicular cancer, prostate cancer, and cholesterol levels, for example.

As a preventative measure, doctors will generally advise smokers and drinkers to cut back on their intake, exercise regularly, and try to reduce stress levels. In truth, eating properly and exercising are the two biggest factors for ensuring you give your body the chance of a healthy existence.

General practitioners (GPs) generally do health checkups and are the best bet to help you feel more at ease, if you are apprehensive about having a checkup. Family doctors are ideal in this respect. For more thorough checkups, a trip to the hospital will generally be necessary.

Regarding self checkups, getting into the habit of analysing your body whenever in the shower is a good idea for picking up the odd lump or bump. Do this every other day, or perhaps weekly - women checking for unusual lumps or bumps on their breasts and men checking for abnormalities in the scrotal area. A full checkup with your doctor, or at the hospital, should be undertaken at least every 12 months.