Cattails

Stretching your health care dollars

Preventive care is wise investment

In tight economic times, it may be tempting to put off an annual exam or preventive screening. Yet, the benefits of preventive health care far outweigh the risks of having an illness diagnosed in a later stage, especially an avoidable illness.

Cancer screening saves lives by detecting the disease early, when it is most treatable. Not only does cancer screening save lives by detecting breast, cervical and colorectal cancers early, it may be the first step in preventing many colorectal and cervical cancers from ever developing.

Consider this from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Routine screening can reduce the number of people who die from colorectal cancer by at least 60 percent. Colonoscopy is recommended for men and women of normal risk at age 50, then every 10 years, if no problems are detected.
• A mammogram performed every one to two years for women age 40 and older can reduce breast cancer deaths by 20 to 25 percent in a 10-year period.
• Pap tests can detect precancerous lesions so they can be treated before cervical cancer develops. Researchers found that cervical cancer death rates dropped in many countries by 20 to 60 percent after screening programs began. A Pap smear is recommended at least every three years for women, beginning at age 21.

During an annual exam, your blood pressure will be checked, and lab tests may be requested to check your cholesterol and blood sugar. These routine tests can indicate if you have, or are at risk for, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes or other chronic conditions. The annual exam is an opportunity for you and your primary care physician to discuss any concerns you may have and possible lifestyle changes to help prevent illnesses, such as modifying your diet or activity level. If you have a chronic condition, your health care team can help you monitor and manage it.

Included in preventive care is staying current on needed immunizations, such as getting a flu vaccine in fall.

Prevention of chronic disease and early detection of cancer can reduce the billions of dollars spent on treatment each year. And less need for treatment means less disruption in your life or the life of someone who love. That ounce of prevention is well worth a pound of cure.