“Good doctors think about how to cure diseases, whereas supreme doctors focused on how to prevent them.” - Chinese saying.
50% of all deaths are preventable: 20% are linked to tobacco, 15% are related to wrong diet/activity patterns…
Remember to visit your doctor regularly for periodical screenings for diseases according to your age, weight, family history and risk factors
Medicine is not an “Exact Science” like Engineering; we work on “probabilities”, like -What is your chance for getting sick from this? What is your probability you willsuffer from that? So our best work is to reduce your exposition to diseases, to close the door to bacteria and viruses as much as possible, trying to avoid diseases like cancer and degenerative diseases like Diabetes and Hypertension…
CHECK UP/SCREENING TEST *
Age 11-24:
• First Pap smear 3 years after the onset of sexual activity, then yearly, if three normal results, every three years.
• Every year Chlamydia screening.
• Blood Pressure every 2 years minimum, annual if obese, diabetic, Diastolic 85-89.
• Women in reproductive age, Check Rubella immunity
Age 25-70:
• Mammography every 1-2 years women 40-69 year-old, (earlier & annually if family history of breast cancer)
• Annual clinical breast examination by a specialist or trained nurse.
• PAP smear if sexually active. First Pap smear 3 years after the onset of sexual activity, then yearly, if three normal results, every three years.
• Cholesterol check at 35 year-old and every 5 year until 65 if low risk.
• After 50 year-old. Flexible sigmoidoscopy (or colonoscopy) every 3-5 year.
• Ultrasound screening for men over 65 year-old for abdominal aortic aneurysm.
• Blood Glucose every 1-3 years.
• Blood Pressure every 2 years minimum, annual if diastolic pressure 85-89mmHg.
• Thorax X-Ray annual if: history of asbestos exposure, smoking before 15 year-old, more than 20 cigarette-day, more than 20 years smoking. (cigars included)
• Bone Mineral Densitometry if you are Caucasian, more than 60yo and your weight is less than 130lb (or taking steroids, smoking, low physical activity)
• Prostate Specific Antigen and Digital Rectal Examination beginning at age 50, to men who have at least a 10-year life expectancy. If family history, earlier-45 year-old.
• Women in reproductive age, Check Rubella immunity.
• Treadmill Test if you plan a Vigorous Exercise Program, men over age 45 and women over age 55 with Diabetes Mellitus, Multiple Coronary Risk Factor like Blood Pressure, Smoking , Family History, High Cholesterol.
* Disclaimer: Medicine is a constantly changing science. Almost every day there are newer diagnostic/treatment/screening modalities and controversies. We encourage readers to obtain more information and discuss this theme with them attending physicians.
