What
are some of the Recommended Routine Preventive Services?
Dr. Melamed recommends the following preventive
medical services for your optimal health:
Ø Screening
for High Blood Pressure: The
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) strongly recommends that clinicians
screen adults aged 18 and older for high blood pressure. Office measurement of
blood pressure is most commonly done with a sphygmomanometer. Blood pressure
measurement can identify adults at increased risk for cardiovascular disease due
to high blood pressure. There is good evidence that treatment of high blood
pressure substantially decreases the incidence of cardiovascular disease.
Ø Screening
for Colorectal Cancer: Colorectal cancer causes 55,000 deaths
each year and is the second most common form of cancer in the U.S. Screening
for colorectal cancer is recommended for all persons aged 50 and older. Annual
fecal occult blood testing and sigmoidoscopy (every 1-2 years) are easy to do,
and should be repeated every 5-years.
Ø Screening
for Breast Cancer: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer
in women, accounting for 46,000 deaths annually. Screening for breast cancer is
recommended for all women ages 40 to 69. Annual clinical breast examination and
mammography (every 1-2 years) can be schedule in advance. Earlier testing may
be necessary based on your medical history.
Ø
Screening for High Cholesterol: Elevated
blood cholesterol is one of the major modifiable risk factors for coronary heart
disease, which is the leading cause of death in the
United States. Periodic screening for high
blood cholesterol is recommended for all men ages 35-65 and women ages 45-65.
Ø Screening
for Type 2 Diabetes: The
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) strongly recommends that clinicians
screen adults with hypertension or hyperlipidemia for Type 2 Diabetes. There is
good evidence that detecting diabetes substantially improves estimates of
individual risk for coronary heart disease.
Ø Screening
for Prostate Cancer: Prostate cancer causes 40,000 deaths in the
U.S. each year. Many older men, however, harbor small, slow-growing prostate
cancers that will not cause significant symptoms during their lifetime. Annual
screening for prostate cancer is by measurement of prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
in your blood, and the performance of digital rectal examination (DRE).
Ø
Screening for Depression:
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
recommends screening adults for depression, and has found good evidence that
screening improves the accurate identification of depression in patients. Early
discovery can lead to treatment, which improves the quality of life.
Ø Counseling
to Prevent Skin Cancer: Melanoma is a leading cause of cancer death
in the United States. The lifetime risk for dying of melanoma is 0.36 percent
in white men and 0.21 percent in white women. Using sunscreen, decreasing
exposure to ultraviolet A and B light, and preventing sunburns, may reduce the
lifetime risk for melanoma.
Ø Counseling
to Prevent & Stop Tobacco Use: Tobacco
use causes one of every five deaths in the U.S. each year, making it the most
important preventable cause of premature death. Periodic counseling to stop
tobacco use is recommended for all persons who use tobacco. The prescription of
nicotine patches or gum, or the prescription of special medications is
recommended as an adjunct to counseling to help selected patients quit tobacco
use.
Ø Vitamins
and Supplements to Prevent Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease: There
is insufficient clinical evidence to recommend for or against the use of
vitamins A, C, or E; multivitamins with folic acid; or antioxidant combinations
for the prevention of cancer or cardiovascular disease. Recommendations are
determined on an individual basis, and are based on your health and medical
history.
Make an Appointment with Dr. Melamed today for
your Recommended Routine Preventive Services.
