An ounce of prevention may be worth a pound of cure, but that doesn’t keep many people from postponing important physical exams.
“If I had a nickel for every person who said to me ‘if only I had gone to the doctor sooner,’ I could retire in style,” said Anna Sallee assistant professor of nursing at Prairie View A&M University’s College of Nursing. “I have seen enough in my 30 years of nursing to believe the benefits of physical exams outweigh the excuses not to receive them.”
The most important benefit of regular exams is the early detection and treatment of diseases and disorders such as high blood pressure, hypothyroidism (low thyroid levels) and cancer. Early detection and treatment often result in better outcomes.
“High blood pressure is most often discovered during a routine physical exam,” Sallee said. “Many people don’t recognize symptoms of hypothyroidism, thinking they’re tired and overworked. A physician will recognize the symptoms. And many times cancer is well progressed before symptoms appear. Your physician can determine the possibility of cancer through questioning and a physical assessment, and order further testing if he or she detects a problem. Ultimately, peace of mind to find out nothing is wrong is important as well.”
Another benefit of receiving regular physicals is the opportunity to build strong doctor-patient relationships and facilitate discussion regarding other health-related issues.
Sallee pointed out five reasons why people put off receiving physical exams and provided solutions for each.
No insurance. Health care is admittedly expensive, but help is available. Many cities have clinics with charges scaled according to income. Women of child-bearing age often have access to exams associated with family planning resources. You can also negotiate with your physician regarding a limited exam if you have no symptoms or indicators of problems.
I didn’t think I needed a physical. This one is especially popular with women who have had a hysterectomy and decide to forgo the gynecological exam. The absence of a uterus does not negate the need for a pap test. And, obviously, a physical involves much more than reproductive issues.
I don’t really like my doctor. Get a new doctor. The doctor-patient relationship is one of the more important relationships in your life. Your physician should be someone you feel comfortable talking to, someone who takes time to listen and answer your questions. Ultimately, if you find yourself seriously ill, you’ll wish you’d had regular preventive checkups whether you liked your doctor or not.
I’m afraid of what the doctor might find. That’s the old “If I don’t know about it, it doesn’t exist.” Hiding from the problem can make a difference in whether it is curable or fatal. Many disorders that can be handled fairly easily when caught early can actually cause serious complications or death if they are allowed to progress without diagnosis and treatment.
I’m too embarrassed. Health care professionals are accustomed to seeing naked bodies. They are focused on looking for telltale signs of cancer, studying the results of a lab test, or determining whether that lump is the patient’s usual fibrocystic disorder or something that needs a biopsy. In other words, they are concerned with the patient’s physical health. Your doctor should do everything possible to protect your modesty, but if you feel over-exposed, request more privacy. If you are concerned about having a physician who is the same gender as you, keep in mind that there are many male and female physicians available.
Once a person works past these excuses and begins scheduling exams, the question changes from “should I schedule an exam” to “how often should I schedule an exam.”
Sallee said that although guidelines vary among health care providers, the American Medical Association, as well as insurance companies, typically recommends a complete physical exam every two to three years for individuals who are over the age of 20 and not experiencing any type of illness symptoms. After age 40, exams should be done every one to two years. Exams should be done more frequently if:
This information is provided as a service by Prairie View A&M University’s College of Nursing. If you have questions or would like more information, talk to your physician.
H.E.A.D.s Up is a monthly column that features articles on a wide array of Health, Exercise And Diet issues. Information for these articles is provided by health and wellness professionals from throughout the A&M System. If you have questions or story ideas for this column, email Ruth McMullan.