This article states yearly physicals are a waste of time and money. The author, Dr. Elizabeth Rosenthal, says she's never had a yearly physical since she finished her medical training in 1989. I have to confess I don't bother with a yearly physical either. The evidence that it benefits you simply isn't there. Dr. Rosenthal does follow the guidelines for screening tests for women in her age group. Clearly with her medical training she's a very sophisticated health care consumer and what worries me is people not quite as informed will read her article and never see a doctor.
DR. JOE'S TAKE AWAY: If you feel your healthy and don't want to do a yearly physical that's cool. Make sure you know what screening tests you need and when. This means you have to get informed or check in with your family doctor now and then. The list below applies to healthy people with no risk factors and assumes each time your tested it's normal. I'll talk more about this on the show this Saturday June 9th.
- Blood pressure checks - minimum every two years and at every doctor visit.
- Cholesterol - every five years starting at age 20.
- Colonosocopy - if no family history of colon cancer every ten years starting at age 50. With a family history you may need to start as young as age 20. Talk to your doctor.
- Male self exam of testes - especially ages 15 to 35.
- Mammograms - yearly after age 50. Family history means starting age 40 or sooner. Talk to your doctor.
- Pap smears - start at age 21, every three years.
- PSA - controversial but I don't see a role for it.
- Diabetes screening - yearly with a fasting sugar from age 45 on but if you're at risk because of say family history or obesity start at age 30.
- Vaccinations must be kept up - e.g. tetanus, influenza.
