We know that preventive care is one of the best ways to catch anything before it gets bad. We don’t want to be the ones rushing to see a doctor when we are already in the advanced stages of heart disease or cancer, right? This post will talk about the importance of preventative care screenings.
What are the Different Types of Preventative Care Screenings?
Primary preventative care is any sort of check-up with a doctor to establish a baseline for specific health issues. They come in various types, such as:
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Wellness Visits
Your doctor consults your height, weight, heart rate, and blood pressure. They may also take a blood sample to check for cholesterol and glucose.
Wellness visits can be done as often as necessary, depending on your health and the recommendation from your doctor.
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Immunization vaccines
Your doctor may prescribe certain vaccines to keep you safe from common diseases like the flu or measles depending on your age.
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Colorectal cancer screening
Men and women over 50 are usually advised to have a colonoscopy and a polyp exam to stay healthy and free of cancer.
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Breast cancer screening
Mammograms can help detect breast cancer in its early and most treatable stages. It is recommended that you start getting mammograms regularly after turning 40. But, if your family has a history of breast cancer, you should start getting mammograms before the age of 40.
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Cervical cancer screening
Cervical cancer can be prevented and detected early with the help of a PAP smear. Women over the age of 21 should be getting tested for cervical cancer.
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Obesity screening and counseling
Overweight and obese people are more likely to get heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. So doctors recommend that their patients get screened for it.
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Prostate Cancer Screening
Screening for prostate cancer is recommended for men. Depending on the age and family history of prostate cancer, your doctor may recommend a DRE or a PSA test.
Who Should Be Getting Preventative Care Screenings?
If you are over the age of 40 or have a family history of certain conditions like diabetes and heart disease, you should be getting these screenings. Unless you are pregnant, you should also get screened for cervical cancer and breast cancer.
Why is Prevention So Important?
Sometimes, a disease can progress so slowly that you don’t notice when it first develops. For example, cholesterol buildup in the arteries can be asymptomatic in its early stages. This is why early detection is so important.
The earlier you catch a disease, the more likely you will find a cure for it. Which treatment you use also depends on the stage you detect the disease.
For example, if you discover your cancer at the early stages, you might only need a few radiation sessions to get rid of it. On the other hand, if you let your cancer go unchecked, it might spread to the rest of your body and require major surgery.
Stay Healthy!
As you can see, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep up with preventative care screenings. By keeping your doctor in the loop about major changes in your health, you can keep your health in check.
Get physical exam services in Troy here at Family Medicine and Wellness. Here, we believe that health and wellness are of utmost importance for well being and are attained through a personalized patient-physician relationship. Contact us.
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