Unfortunately, chronic health issues can occur, such as weight gain, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Annual physical exams can help ward off these problems and detect early warning signs that a larger issue, such as cancer, may be present.
More importantly, annual physicals allow people to take charge of their health and ensure that they live a long and healthy life. Individuals should go to their trusted doctors for a routine physical exam at least once per year.
1. Detect Diseases Early On
The most important reason to get an annual physical is to detect diseases early. A person can get routine testing and screenings to detect health problems early on with regular physical exams. Many cancers, such as colorectal cancer, are treatable when caught early, so it is important to have a physical.
To ensure that a person has the best chance of early detection, every year, during an annual physical exam, a person should have screenings for colon cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer. In addition to cancer screenings, a person should get yearly cholesterol checks, blood sugar testing, and mammograms for women.
2. Reduce Healthcare Costs Over Time
Most annual physical exams are covered by insurance, but some are not. Furthermore, even if an annual physical is covered, other testing fees can mount up over time if a person does not have a physical. The fees for some tests, like mammograms and colonoscopies, can range into thousands of dollars.
The key to reducing healthcare costs over time is to detect problems early, which can be done by getting routine physicals. Because these cancers can be treated when they are detected early, there is a higher likelihood that patients will not need to undergo harsh treatments, thus saving them thousands of dollars in healthcare costs.
3. Get Better Treatment and Cure
Getting regular physicals can greatly improve the cure rates of certain cancers. For example, the cure rates for prostate cancer double if a man or a woman is diagnosed with prostate cancer in their late 50s or early 60s.
Furthermore, if a person is diagnosed with breast cancer in the early stages of the disease, their cure rate is 99 percent. If a person is diagnosed in late stages, the cure rate is less than half of that number. Protect yourself and your loved ones against a potentially deadly disease by getting an annual physical.
4. Keep Track of Your Health
An annual physical exam is a great way to keep track of your health over time. After your annual physical, you will have a good idea of your current health status. You can speak with your doctor about any issues you have had or any problems you are experiencing.
After a year goes by, you can then evaluate your history and see if there are any issues or problems that you have had in the past. People may often have health issues that they do not notice or think are a big deal. However, by looking at your health over time, you can see when a problem becomes bigger, and you can speak with your doctor right away.
Conclusion
Although some people are nervous when they go to the doctor, an annual physical is a great way to get a person’s care to stay healthy. Annual physicals help detect health problems early and save money on healthcare costs, but they can also ensure a person will live a long and happy life. Don’t miss out on the chance to live a healthier life. Go to your trusted doctor for a routine physical exam at least once per year.
At Family Medicine and Wellness, we believe that health and wellness are of utmost importance for well-being and are attained through a personalized patient-physician relationship. Led by Dr. Al-Misky, we believe in a strong, trustworthy, and confidential patient relationship committed to effective communication and shared decision-making. If you want to get annual health exams in Troy, get in touch with us! Call us at (248) 759-0993 to book a schedule!
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