As we get older, staying healthy involves more than treating health problems when they arise. Preventive care offers an opportunity to identify potential health concerns early, when they may be easier to treat or manage.
October is a particularly good time to think about preventive screenings as communities across the country recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Screenings are tests used to detect certain diseases before symptoms develop. Recommended screenings can change as we age and may depend on personal and family medical histories. Talking with your health care provider can help you understand which screenings are appropriate for you.
Breast cancer screening
With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, breast cancer screening is an important place to start.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that women ages 40 to 74 who are at average risk receive a mammogram every two years. A mammogram can detect breast cancer before a lump can be felt or other symptoms develop.
For women 75 and older, there is currently insufficient evidence for the USPSTF to recommend for or against routine mammograms. This makes an individual conversation with a health care provider especially important. Personal health, family history, previous screening results and individual preferences can all be considered when deciding whether to continue screening.
It is also important to pay attention to changes in your breasts. A new lump, changes in breast size or shape, nipple discharge, skin changes or persistent pain are all reasons to contact a health care provider. Not every breast change is cancer, but unusual changes should be evaluated rather than ignored.
Don’t forget other screenings
Breast cancer screening is only one part of preventive care. Colorectal cancer screening is another important consideration as we age.
The USPSTF recommends colorectal cancer screening for adults ages 45 to 75 who are at average risk.. Several screening options are available, including stool-based tests and colonoscopies. Patients should discuss which approach is most appropriate for them with their health care provider.
Adults ages 76 to 85 may also benefit from screening, depending on their overall health, previous screening history and personal preferences.
Other preventive screenings may be appropriate depending on age and medical history. These can include screenings for cervical cancer, lung cancer, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, diabetes and other conditions.
For example, the USPSTF recommends annual lung cancer screening using a low-dose CT scan for adults ages 50 to 80 who have a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years and currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years. A pack-year is equivalent to smoking an average of one pack of cigarettes per day for one year.
Know your risk
Screening recommendations are not necessarily the same for everyone. Family history, previous diagnoses, lifestyle factors, medications and other aspects of your health can affect your individual risk.
For breast cancer specifically, increasing age and family history are important risk factors. Certain inherited genetic changes, including mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, can also increase risk.
Lifestyle choices can influence risk as well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight and limiting or avoiding alcohol to help lower breast cancer risk.
If you have a strong family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, ask your health care provider whether additional screening or genetic counseling may be appropriate.
Make preventive care part of your routine
Preventive screenings can be easy to put off, especially when you feel healthy. But that is precisely why they are important. Many screening tests are designed to identify potential problems before symptoms appear.
This October, use Breast Cancer Awareness Month as a reminder to look at the bigger picture of your health.
Check when you last had a mammogram or other recommended screening. Ask your health care provider whether you are up to date and whether your age or medical history means you should consider additional tests.
Taking an active role in preventive care does not mean trying to prevent every possible health problem. It means staying informed, understanding your personal risks and working with your health care team to make decisions that support your health and independence as you age.
A personal dedication
This article is especially meaningful to me because I am writing it in memory of my grandmother, MaryAnn Garvery, who died of breast cancer in 1976.
Although I never had the opportunity to know her, her story has always been part of my family.
Writing about the importance of preventive care and early detection is my way of honoring her memory and recognizing how far breast cancer awareness, screening and treatment have come.
I hope this article encourages others to take their health seriously, ask questions and make preventive care a priority.
