An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

Submitted by UW Medicine

There is an old saying that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and this is certainly true when it comes to your health. Preventing disease and detecting disease early are important to living a longer and healthier life. You likely already know that getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and regular exercise are keys to a healthy lifestyle, but it is recommended by your UW Neighborhood Olympia Clinic, your partner in health and wellness, that you also schedule preventive health visits and screenings as an important part of your overall health maintenance. Plus, recent changes in healthcare laws support this by allowing people who have Medicare to get a free wellness visit each year.

The UW Neighborhood Olympia Clinic recommends the following preventive visits and screenings to help you stay active and healthy at any age:

Preventive Health Visits and Screenings for Men and Women of Average Risk

• Preventive health visits: Every two years or as requested by your primary care provider
• Eye exams: Every two years for ages 18-60, then every year for ages 61 and up
• Blood pressure: At each routine visit
• Body Mass Index: At each routine visit
• Colon Cancer: Beginning at age 50
• Hepatitis C: One time screening for those born between 1945 and 1965
• HIV: One time screening between the ages of 15 and 65

Preventive Health Screenings for Women Only

• Cholesterol (Blood Lipid Profile): Needed every five years beginning at age 45
• HIV: Screening at any age when pregnant
• Mammogram: Talk to your provider from ages 40-49, then every two years from ages 50 to 74
• Pap Test for Cervical Cancer: Every three years for women ages 21 to 65

Preventive Health Screenings for Men only

• Cholesterol (Blood Lipid Profile): Needed every five years beginning at age 35
• Prostate Cancer: Talk to your provider

Also, make sure you talk to your provider if you:

• 

  Might need any vaccinations

• Have a family history of cancer, diabetes, heart disease or stroke
• Have low energy or weight concerns
• Smoke cigarettes, or are exposed to others who smoke

Thank you Thurston County for your support and for the privilege of serving as your primary care provider.

For more information about the UW Neighborhood Olympia Clinic visit uwmedicine.org/Olympia.