Give yourself a better quality of life

At Cullman Regional, we believe a better quality of life starts with wellness. That’s why we provide a range of important preventive health tests and screenings available with little to no out-of-pocket costs for you.

If you are interested in any of the screening tests listed here, talk to your primary care physician. They can order appropriate tests or refer you to specialists for additional testing if needed. If you do not have a primary care physician, call 256-735-5075 or visit online to schedule an appointment with a Cullman Regional Medical Group
primary care physician.

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Yearly checkups with your primary care provider are the best way to stay on track with good health. Your doctor will know which screenings and tests are right for you based on your age, medical history and family history.

Your annual wellness exam is also a good time to talk about vaccines including flu, COVID-19, shingles, pneumonia, Hepatitis B, HPV and Tdap. If you are unsure of your vaccination status, a titer blood test can be used to determine what immunities you have. Your primary care physician can order this blood test for you.

To encourage more people to participate in preventive health, some insurance plans do not require co-pays or out-of-pocket costs for annual wellness exams with a primary care physician.

The American Cancer Society recommends that people at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45. Some insurance plans do not cover the test until age 50 if there is an absence of symptoms or family history.

A screening colonoscopy can be performed by a gastroenterologist or a general surgeon. The outpatient procedure is typically performed in a specialized procedure room in a hospital or outpatient surgery center.

Screening for skin cancer starts with you. Regular self-exams can identify spots on your skin that differ from others, change, itch or bleed. If you notice a spot like this, you should talk with your primary care physician or see a dermatologist.

If you have diabetes, it’s important to see your doctor regularly for A1C tests, foot exams and eye exams. Primary care physicians play a key role in managing and monitoring your condition and can assist you in setting or adjusting treatment goals, provide education on nutrition and exercise, and offer guidance to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Diabetes can reduce the ability of your skin to heal itself which can lead to non-healing wounds. Specialized wound care may be needed and can include Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). The Hyperbaric & Wound Care Center at Cullman Regional offers the area’s only HBOT.

Sleep problems can be harmful beyond just tiredness. The cumulative effects of sleep loss and sleep disorders have been associated with an increased risk of hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack and stroke. This quick online sleep self-assessment can help you know if you may have a sleep problem.

Your primary care physician can refer you to the Cullman Regional Sleep Center for a sleep study, or you can schedule a consultation with a sleep medicine physician at 256-903-0300.

What to Expect During a Sleep Study

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A cardiac CT angiogram (CTA) can help doctors determine if you are at risk for a heart attack. The test combines a CT scan with an injection of a special dye to produce pictures of blood vessels and tissues in and around your heart. Your primary care physician can order a CTA to be performed at Cullman Regional or you can schedule an appointment with a cardiologist to discuss how the test may benefit you.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a screening tool that healthcare providers use to estimate body fat by using your height and weight measurements. There are multiple BMI ranges which indicate different risk levels for weight-related medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

If you’re concerned about your weight, there are several weight loss options including lifestyle changes, weight loss using medication and bariatric surgery. Your primary care physician can help you with a weight loss program or may refer you to a specialist like the ones at Cullman Regional Bariatric Center of Excellence.

If you are a smoker or former smoker, your doctor may recommend a low-dose CT scan to screen for lung cancer or other lung disease. The American Cancer Society's recommendations on who should receive this screening test are based on age and smoking history. Your primary care physician can order a lung scan to be performed at Cullman Regional or you can schedule an appointment with a pulmonologist to discuss how the test may benefit you.

For men with average risk, prostate exams and screenings are recommended beginning at age 50. Your primary care physician can perform the exam and order a screening blood test. Men with a family history or other risk factors for prostate cancer may consider establishing care with a urologist before the age of 50 to monitor their health.

While there is no clinical test used to screen for stroke, recognizing symptoms early on can prevent more severe damage to the brain. The acronym F.A.S.T. is widely used to help the public remember stroke warning signs:

F - Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven?
A - Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S - Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred?
T - Time to call 911

This imaging test can detect osteoporosis (weak bones) and is an important screening, especially in older women. Your primary care physician can talk with you about your risk for osteoporosis and order a bone density scan when appropriate. This test is recommended for women aged 65 and older.

Annual screening mammograms are recommended for women aged 45 to 54. It’s important to talk with your doctor to know how family history may impact mammogram recommendations.

3D mammography is widely available and is superior to the traditional 2D mammography. The Women’s Diagnostic Center at Cullman Regional recently added new technology to its existing 3D mammography system which produces images in greater detail for better diagnostic accuracy without increasing the radiation dose to the patient.

Women should regularly see an OB-GYN physician for female-specific preventive care which includes screening for breast, cervical and ovarian cancers. In addition to cancer screenings, your OB-GYN can provide treatment for endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts, chronic pelvic pain, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine prolapse or abnormal bleeding.

If you have been diagnosed with heart disease, your doctor will regularly monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, body weight and body mass index (BMI). You may also need other tests to measure your heart’s health including an EKG and stress test.