Columns

Thursday, August 19, 2004

the life you save may be your own

The good news is that, in many cases, dangerous illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease are preventable – and early detection dramatically increases the odds of successful treatment. That’s why all of us go to the doctor for routine screenings and regular physical exams. Right? Well, not really!

The bad news is that most of us do not go to the doctor unless we get sick. The typical adult American gets a physical exam sometime during high school or college, and doesn’t get another one until after his or her first heart attack or serious illness.

This is especially true of males. Each year, American men make 150 million fewer visits to the doctor than women. This phenomenon is so striking that the American Medical Association conducted a study of the reasons why men don’t go to the doctor. At the top of the list: fear, denial, and embarrassment. Is it any wonder that women live some 10 percent longer than men?

We have to do better than this! Bear in mind that many grave physical conditions and diseases cause no pain and have no visible symptoms – that is, until the late stages, at which point it may be too late to successfully intervene. For example, a person can easily have elevated blood pressure and very high levels of “bad” cholesterol – both of them serious risk factors for heart disease – and be completely unaware.

What would people think if I drove a new car off the sales lot, never maintained it, never checked the oil, never checked the fluids and never got it tuned up until the engine seized up and died? Well, isn’t it even more irresponsible to fail to get a physical exam year after year as the decades add up? Do we really need to wait until our first heart attack?

Many doctors recommend a physical exam every two to three years for people who are in good health and under age 40. Between 40 and 49, an exam every two years is a good idea, with an annual exam after age 50. We should get routine screenings for cancers of the breast, ovaries, colon, cervix and prostate. Older people should also be screened for osteoporosis.

In addition, good health maintenance should include regular monitoring of blood pressure, weight, vision and hearing, as well as risk-factor screening for coronary artery disease, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases, and more. That seems like a lot to look out for, but a typical physical takes an hour or less. And it could save your life.

Put aside your fears or denial. If it has been years since your last physical exam, it’s now time to make an appointment.