Momma is on the right track. June 8, 2021 is National Call Your Doctor Day. This day was founded by Bright Pink, a nonprofit organization, to help women live healthier lives and to avoid breast and ovarian cancer.
The second Tuesday of June every year has been designated as Call Your Doctor Day. (Side note: don’t try to get a jump start and call on Monday because the doctor’s office is busy handling concerns from the weekend😊)
As a preventionist by career, and because it speaks to my comfort level, an annual visit to your doctor is the best way to stay on top of your health and prevent–or at least nip in the bud–any health concerns. A Well Visit each year gives you an opportunity to have blood work done, to see what your numbers are, and also to make note of any changes from the previous year. Even though tele visits are now available in most doctor’s offices, I suggest making an in person visit at least once a year. This way the doctor has had eyes on you, up close and personal😉.
This is going to be no surprise, but men are not as good as women in scheduling and following through with their doctors’ appointments. For this reason, many men have health concerns that have been put off and that require more time and money for treatment. Ladies if you have to, go ahead and schedule the appointment for your man yourself. He will thank you later (maybe a lot later—but he will be grateful).
As we get older (wink wink) there are more opportunities for disease and also more opportunities for prevention screenings. Some of these include mammograms, colonoscopies, endoscopies, and pap smears. Unfortunately, there are not screenings for all diseases. Another reason for an annual check up is to stay on top of one’s health.
When you turn 50 (which I have done), the medical profession suggests a colonoscopy as a prevention screening, unless you have a family history and they might recommend it earlier. In preparation for the colonoscopy, they have you prepare by cleaning out your colon. Years ago, this would take a couple of days preparation. They have made it possible to prep in one day. It involves drinking something.
My husband, due to a family history of colon cancer has had a few of these done beginning as early as his mid 30’s. The nice thing is that once you have it done (creating a baseline for colon health) based on the findings, the doctor will let you know when to come back. For some it can be as early as within the year and for others it can be 3-5 years. My husband had a couple of every 3 years and is now on the 5-year plan.
As I mentioned I turned 50. Since my birthday, every doctor’s appointment I have gone to (which has been a few), they have asked me if I have had a colonoscopy. My verbal answer has been no. My thought has been, “I just barely turned 50. Give me a minute!” However, I do have plans this year to have a colonoscopy. I see my primary doctor annually around my birthday. This is also when I usually schedule to have my screenings done. This year I’ll be adding the colonoscopy to my list of adventures, I mean screenings 😊.
With June 8th being the National Call Your Doctor Day, the doctors have probably brought on extra staff to answer the calls. Be one of those calling. If you haven’t already seen your doctor in the past year, put a reminder in your phone to call on June 8th. If you are an individual that likes to be accountable to someone. Email me, letting me know what time you plan to call your doctor. I’ll follow up with you to see how you did. Also, if something comes up that me as a Wellness coach can support you, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Let’s talk about it!