Doctors
What can I say, but your Family Doctor is one of the most important individuals in your life, and hopefully, you have a good one in yours. If you don't have a Family Doctor, I am hoping that you can find one easily as this can be a tough job these days. Luckily for me I had an excellent one since I was 18 years old, and my only concern was that my Doctor might get the crazy idea that it is time to retire, which he did in April 2014. However, prior to closing his practice, he did provide his patients with a list of other Doctors, who were accepting new patients, and I was lucky enough to get a new Family Doctor.
I firmly believe that your Family Doctor is someone that you should visit on an annual basis for a check up as your body is no different than your car, which needs a tune up, the tires need to be checked, and the oil changed in order to ensure that it is running at high performance, and our bodies are no different. Between annual check ups, if you should discover that you have any lumps, bumps, or do not feel well pick up the telephone and make an appointment. It is always better to use caution then to say oh it is nothing, and it turns out that you had a serious problem that could have easily been fixed, if detected early.
If you should have any heredity issues such as Breast Cancer, Colorectal Canacer, etc. in your family, please ensure that your Doctor is aware and discuss these situations in order that you can be monitored appropriately.
In Ontario, once you reach the age of 50, you should contact the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) to ensure that you are set up as part of their program. A mammogram every two years is the best way to find breast cancer early along with your own self examinations. Please ask other women who are aged 50 to 74 to call the OBSP Toll Free at 1-866-662-9233 on Monday to Friday between 8:30 am and 5 pm so they can be part of this very important program, and you don't require a Doctor's referrral! Nothing in life is perfect, and for a few women who have breast cancer, the screening test will not show the cancer plus breast cancer can develop between screenings. The OBSP recommends that you:
1. Be breast aware. Know how your breasts normally look and feel.
2. See your Doctor immediately, if you notice any changes in your breasts.
3. Come back to the OBSP every 2 years for a mammogram.
When men and women reach the age of 50, the risk of colorectal cancer rises. Review this with your family doctor as regular screening is the best way to catch colorectal cancer early. Please note that when caught early through regular screening, colorectal cancer is curable in 9 out of every 10 cases.
Find out more information at the following website on Breast, Cervical and Colorectal Cancer Screening: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs
Another thing that you should do is ensure that your immunizations are up-to-date. If you do volunteer work with elderly people, you should definitely get an annual flu shot. If you like to travel, you should ensure that you have had all of the appropriate vaccinations such as Tetanus, Hepatitis A & B, etc.
Personally, I believe in doing everything that you can do to fix a problem without taking medication so feel free to discuss all available options with your Doctor.
Life is not a dry run, and we don't get any second chances so make sure that you make the most out of your time.
As Benjamin Franklin stated: Lost time is never found again.
PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM NOT IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION, AND I AM NOT PROVIDING ADVICE.
I firmly believe that your Family Doctor is someone that you should visit on an annual basis for a check up as your body is no different than your car, which needs a tune up, the tires need to be checked, and the oil changed in order to ensure that it is running at high performance, and our bodies are no different. Between annual check ups, if you should discover that you have any lumps, bumps, or do not feel well pick up the telephone and make an appointment. It is always better to use caution then to say oh it is nothing, and it turns out that you had a serious problem that could have easily been fixed, if detected early.
If you should have any heredity issues such as Breast Cancer, Colorectal Canacer, etc. in your family, please ensure that your Doctor is aware and discuss these situations in order that you can be monitored appropriately.
In Ontario, once you reach the age of 50, you should contact the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) to ensure that you are set up as part of their program. A mammogram every two years is the best way to find breast cancer early along with your own self examinations. Please ask other women who are aged 50 to 74 to call the OBSP Toll Free at 1-866-662-9233 on Monday to Friday between 8:30 am and 5 pm so they can be part of this very important program, and you don't require a Doctor's referrral! Nothing in life is perfect, and for a few women who have breast cancer, the screening test will not show the cancer plus breast cancer can develop between screenings. The OBSP recommends that you:
1. Be breast aware. Know how your breasts normally look and feel.
2. See your Doctor immediately, if you notice any changes in your breasts.
3. Come back to the OBSP every 2 years for a mammogram.
When men and women reach the age of 50, the risk of colorectal cancer rises. Review this with your family doctor as regular screening is the best way to catch colorectal cancer early. Please note that when caught early through regular screening, colorectal cancer is curable in 9 out of every 10 cases.
Find out more information at the following website on Breast, Cervical and Colorectal Cancer Screening: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs
Another thing that you should do is ensure that your immunizations are up-to-date. If you do volunteer work with elderly people, you should definitely get an annual flu shot. If you like to travel, you should ensure that you have had all of the appropriate vaccinations such as Tetanus, Hepatitis A & B, etc.
Personally, I believe in doing everything that you can do to fix a problem without taking medication so feel free to discuss all available options with your Doctor.
Life is not a dry run, and we don't get any second chances so make sure that you make the most out of your time.
As Benjamin Franklin stated: Lost time is never found again.
PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM NOT IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION, AND I AM NOT PROVIDING ADVICE.
