Thread by @Telegraph

In midlife, weight gain gets easier and the risk of cancer starts to rise.

These simple checks and measures can help detect problems 🧵👇

telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness…

🎂Turning 40 feels like a milestone and, with life expectancy still hovering around 81 years for adults in the UK, it does indeed mark a halfway point

🔴The risk of cancer starts to increase, as the cells become more damaged over time; for women the perimenopause may begin at this stage.

But lots of these downsides of ageing can be managed or even prevented by lifestyle tweaks

1⃣Measure your waist with a piece of string

Leading diabetes scientist Dr Roy Taylor recently said not being able to fit into the trousers you wore in your 20s can be a sign you are carrying too much fat

Waist size is an important indicator of health because fat stored around the middle can be especially harmful

2⃣Time yourself climbing the stairs

⏱️If you want a quick test to see how your heart is coping, climb four flights of stairs (60 steps) and time yourself

3⃣Check for lumps and bumps

♀️Women of all ages – but particularly those in their 40s and upwards – should check their breasts regularly

4⃣Stand on one leg

The ability to balance on one leg is a strong indicator of longevity and health, according to a study by the Medical Research Council

Read the full list of health checks you should have once you turn 40 here: telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness…