But many Americans skip these life-saving screenings. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, almost one in five men (18%) 55 years and older have never received the recommended screening for colon cancer. Even worse, 55 percent of men are skipping health screenings altogether. And yet another survey conducted by NBC News discovered that approximately 8 million women had not had a cervical cancer screening in five years. If you’re not sure what health screenings you need, the information in this post will help.
Create a personalized plan with your primary care physician
The screenings you need depend upon your age, gender, current health status and family medical history. That’s why it’s important to have a close, personal relationship with your doctor so you can build a preventive care strategy that’s tailored towards your health. Your doctor will perform a history and physical that will form the baseline for what types of screenings and follow-up care you need. Good communication between you and your physician is important to ensure that you receive the screenings that are appropriate for you. If you're not satisfied with your relationship with your doctor or if you want a closer relationship with your doctor than consider the convenience of same-day appointment scheduling and longer appointments offered by direct primary care.
The essential screenings that all adults should have include:
The CDC identifies recommendations that are most likely to reduce the burden of leading causes of preventable death and major illness. The seven priority areas are:
There are other screening tests that your direct primary care physician may recommend based on your activity levels, medical history, family history, and personal health history. These include screening for skin cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, hepatitis C, sexually transmitted infections, etc. Men should talk with their physicians about their recommendations regarding screening for prostate cancer.
Also, remember to follow up with your doctor if you don’t receive the results of your screenings. Another important part of your preventive health strategy should be to maintain a healthy weight, take part in regular physical activity, and eat a healthy diet. These proactive steps can help you lower your risk of a range of health problems including heart disease, stroke, depression and cognitive impairment.
Do you want your health screenings done as soon as possible? Than consider becoming a patient of a direct primary care practice. You'll have 24 / 7 access to your physician's cell phone, which will grant you same day appointments, longer appointments and a much closer relationship with your doctor.