(WJFW) – Many serious health conditions develop quietly. High blood pressure, diabetes, and certain cancers often show no early warning signs, making routine screenings an essential part of staying healthy.
Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner Brooke Rocque from Taylor county emphasizes that annual wellness visits are designed to catch concerns early.
“The annual wellness visit is a foundation for good health because it allows us to perform routine screenings and detect disease before it develops and before symptoms appear,” Rocque said.
Despite this, Rocque says many patients delay care because they feel well.
“‘I feel fine, so I don’t have to do it,’ is something I hear a lot,” Rocque said. “But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Most of the time, by the time symptoms appear, the disease has progressed to a point that is going to require more intense treatment.”
Certain screenings are more likely to be postponed than others. Colon cancer and breast cancer screenings are among the most commonly delayed. More commonly among men.
Rocque said “I know that it can be uncomfortable, it can be invasive, you’re busy so you don’t want to. But I think that it really can be life changing for people to attend these annual wellness visits.”
Rocque says that when it comes to preventive health, exercising regularly and keeping a good diet is the first priority.
She also says patients are encouraged to schedule a wellness visit and speak with their primary care provider about which screenings are appropriate based on age, risk factors, and personal health history.
“It really can be life changing to detect those diseases early on.” said Rocque.
To schedule an appointment or learn more about preventive care services, contact your local health care provider.
