Date: 4/15/26
Name of podcast: Dr. Patient
Episode title and number: 30 Prevent Illness in the First Place

Episode summary: 

Preventive healthcare involves trying to keep illness from occurring, and trying to catch diseases early on in their process. It has a long history of success as an overall health approach, but less and less adults in the US are utilizing it and seeing a primary care provider. This episode reviews what preventive healthcare entails and addresses some of the more common reasons why people don't seek it out.

References: 

Current screening recommendations:

Cancers: 

- Colorectal cancer screening (variety of methods including colonoscopy) at 45-75

- Breast cancer screening (mammogram, ultrasound most common) at 40-74

- Cervical cancer screening (PAP smear) at 21-65

- Lung cancer screening (low dose CT scan) at 50-80 IF you have a 20 pack-year smoking history, or if you quit within the last 15 years

Heart and metabolic conditions:

- Hypertension/high blood pressure screening 

- every 2 years if blood pressure is < 120/80

- every year if blood pressure is 120-139/80-89

- annually over 40 years old regardless of blood pressure

- Diabetes type 2 screening (blood test)

- at 35-70 if overweight/obese (BMI >25)

- every 3 years if normal BMI

- High cholesterol screening (blood test) - lots of caveats on this one

- generally, a lipid panel at 40-75 

- some sources say every 4-6 years starting at 20

- American Heart Associaion says waist circumference and BMI and lipid panel every 3 years for adults 40-75 with one risk factor

Infectious Diseases

- Hepatitis C (blood test) once between 18-79

- HIV (blood test) once 15-65 or for anyone pregnant, then regularly only if high risk

 Bone health

- Osteoporosis screening (bone scan) all women over 65, all post menopausal women even if less than 65 years old if increased risk

Other

- Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening (ultrasound) for men 65-75 who have ever smoked

- Depression screening (questionnaire) for everyone over 19 including pregnant/postpartum

- Beyond these, your healthcare provider might also/should ask you questions about safety at home, seat belt use, your diet and exercise

Links:

USPSTF/US Preventive Services Task Force: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/

ACIP/Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices: https://www.cdc.gov/acip/index.html

American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/heart-health-screenings

American Diabetes Association: https://diabetes.org/newsroom/latest-ada-annual-standards-of-care-includes-changes-to-diabetes-screening-first-line-therapy-pregnancy-technology

American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/screening/american-cancer-society-guidelines-for-the-early-detection-of-cancer.html

Podcast website: www.drpatientpodcast.com

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