In recent years in my healthcare duties, I worked with younger patients with serious conditions. I had a patient with a stroke in their early 20’s. A person who at 20 was catatonic and required a peg tube. And a person in their late 40’s who went to urgent care with chest pains and came out with a brain injury post cardiac arrest. These stories leads to the conversation of the importance of health screenings.
The winter holiday season is officially over, and the new year is here. Creating a new attitude as it relates to health and wellness should be at the top of the agenda. Finding a healthy way to nurture your physical and mental is a great way to start. Having an active plan to getting checkups and to being active is important because aging is an honor.
So, what health screenings are important before the age of 50?
- Blood Pressure: Normal blood pressure range from 110/70 to 120/80. When numbers regularly start to run 140/90 and above that is problematic. Checking these numbers regularly if you have a family history or every 3 to 5 years is important. As a statistic, 55% of black adults have high blood pressure. Many of us have a genetic line to this condition and should be aware of our numbers.
- Cholesterol: A substance in your blood that helps cells but when too high is bad. Some of it’s causes includes lack of exercise and poor diet. It leads to heart disease which often goes undiagnosed.
- Breast Cancer: From the time breasts develop, doing regular self exams is important. There have been rare cases of teenagers being diagnosed. After age 40, getting annual mammograms becomes a priority.
- Cervical Cancer: Soon as you become sexually active, you increase your risk. Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) is the virus that presents itself in 99% of cases. Having regular pap smears is important. Testing should be done annually if you have multiple partners or every 2-3 years otherwise.
- Infectious Diseases: HIV, Sexually Transmitted Disease and Infections (STDs and STIs), and Hepatitis C fall under this category. Screenings can easily be done with a blood test. Be sure to ask your doctor during visits or go to a free clinic if available.
- Colorectal Cancer: In the U.S., Black people are 20% more likely to be diagnosed and 40% more likely to die from the condition. Screening can be done with a colonoscopy that is often not given until age 45. But if every there is a time you see blood in your stool, go to see a doctor.
- Diabetes: A chronic condition that affects many. It’s caused when the body does not produce enough insulin or can’t use the insulin appropriately in the pancreas. Socioeconomic factors and genetics are the leading causes of this condition within the black community. Black people are 60% more likely to be diagnosed compared to non-whites. If there is a history within your family, you should always report this and never be afraid to ask questions when in the presence of a health professional.
To end, no one is immune to medical conditions no matter your age. We should all make this the year of health screenings. Consult with a medical professional sometime this year to make sure your body is working up to it’s fullest potential. There are many more new years to come and I myself want to make it through to a lot more.