You don't have to wait for symptoms to appear to take control of your well-being. Many serious health conditions develop quietly without any warning signs. That's why routine preventive care and screenings are so essential.
At Clover Internal Medicine Associates in Fort Worth, Texas, we believe that staying ahead of your health is the most powerful choice you can make. Our team of board-certified providers focuses on prevention to help you live your healthiest life.
Here are our guidelines for the five crucial health screenings every adult needs this year to protect their long-term wellness.
The five screenings outlined below are vital because they detect silent conditions like high blood pressure, metabolic changes, and early-stage cancers before symptoms appear. Catching these issues early makes them much easier to manage or even reverse.
Colorectal cancer often begins as small, benign growths called polyps. These polyps can turn into cancer, usually over 10 to 15 years. Finding and removing colon polyps early, typically during a screening colonoscopy, stops cancer before it can start.
Guidelines published by the CDC recommend starting routine screenings at age 45 if you’re at average risk. However, depending on your personal and family history, you may benefit from earlier screening.
For women at average risk, the US Preventive Services Task Force now recommends starting biennial mammograms at age 40.
Modern 3D mammography can spot tiny tissue changes long before they can be felt during an exam. Early detection often means less invasive treatment options and better outcomes.
High blood pressure is often called a silent killer because it damages your blood vessels and cardiovascular system without symptoms until the condition worsens.
Keeping your blood pressure in a healthy range helps protect your heart, brain, kidneys, eyes, and other organs that rely on healthy circulation to function optimally. That includes nearly every system in your body.
Fortunately, blood pressure is typically easy to manage, sometimes with medication and sometimes with healthy habits.
Screening is easy and usually takes place any time you visit the doctor. If we notice concerning levels, our team may recommend home checks or periodic office visits.
A simple blood test measures the fats in your blood, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad cholesterol.” If you have high cholesterol, plaque can build up in your arteries and restrict blood flow.
Checking and managing your lipid levels early can help prevent heart attacks and strokes.
We recommend screening for prediabetes and diabetes starting at age 35, sooner if you’re at high risk because of family history, weight, inactivity, or other lifestyle factors such as a poor diet.
Catching insulin resistance early allows you to make lifestyle changes that can reverse prediabetes before it becomes chronic. Our weight management programs can help.
At Clover Internal Medicine Associates, we make staying on top of your health simple and stress-free. Our team works with you to create a personalized screening schedule based on your age, family history, and unique risk factors.
We guide you through every step, from initial testing to coordinating any follow-up care you might need. If you're ready to take charge of your preventive care, we're here to help.
Please contact our team today to schedule an appointment and discuss which screenings are right for you this year.
