AUGUST IS PREVENTIVE SCREENINGS & IMMUNIZATIONS MONTH

Staying current with your Preventive Screenings & Vaccinations is a lifelong, life-protecting job!

Preventive Care includes health services like immunizations, screenings, check-ups and patient counseling. The purpose of preventive care is to prevent health problems or to detect illness at an early stage when treatment is likely to work best.

It is crucial to be an active member of your health. Talk to your health care provider to determine the right time to schedule your preventive exam. Ask your doctor about which immunizations and screenings you need and when to have them done.

Examples of preventive screenings recommended by the CDC for most people include:

• Mammogram – a type of x-ray used to detect breast cancer for women as early as age 40.
• Pap & HPV Tests – to detect precancerous/cancerous cervical cells for women starting at age 21.
• Colon Cancer Screening – to detect abnormal polyps and colon cancer for adults starting at age 50.
• Hypertension Screening – blood pressure checks every 1-2 years for adults age 18 years or older.
• Lipid Screening – cholesterol check for men starting at age 35 (women age 45), or earlier if high risk.

Recommended immunization Schedules for children and adults can be found here.

We’ve partnered with the Consumer Health Choices campaign to offer consumer resources on various health care services. Below are 5 Questions to ask your doctor before you get a test, treatment, or procedure:

To further assist you with your next visit, we’ve developed a list of things to do before, during and after to get the most out of your next preventive health care visit. Click here.

This information is provided by the CDC.gov