Health Care Is Self-Care: 5 Critical Screenings Women Should Prioritize

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Checkups

Good health starts with a checkup. Unfortunately, it’s all too common to believe that going to the doctor when you feel fine is a luxury or even a waste of time. The pandemic resulted in millions of Americans foregoing routine screenings, which research is finding might have devastating consequences. Waiting until you experience any sort of symptom to see a doctor can mean waiting until something is no longer treatable, or at least until the point when treatment will be costly, painful, and potentially ineffective. Your regular physician will do an overall physical exam and run blood tests that can pick up on very small changes that could indicate a need to see a specialist, or do follow-up tests. The saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is very true, and it greatly describes the importance of annual checkups. Be open with your doctor about any changes or anything out of the ordinary. Never feel shame about reporting symptoms to your doctor. Shame can be a silent killer. Checkups are included in most health insurance plans so take advantage of that benefit. It’s not a luxury: it’s a necessity.