By Judy Okolo
“I’m fine. Nothing is wrong with me.”
It sounds reassuring. It may even be true. But when was the last time you checked?
Many of us have quietly created our own definition of good health: if nothing hurts, nothing is wrong.
We go to work, meet deadlines, care for families, travel, exercise and carry on with life. Surely, if something serious were happening, our bodies would tell us.
Unfortunately, health does not always work that way.
High blood pressure can exist without obvious symptoms. Changes in blood sugar or cholesterol may develop quietly. And some cancers, including breast cancer, may be present before a woman feels unwell.
That is precisely why screening exists.
Feeling Well Is Not the Same as Checking Well
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and much of the conversation understandably focuses on lumps and breast changes. Knowing what is normal for your breasts and reporting unusual changes promptly matters.
But there is another message we cannot afford to miss: do not wait for symptoms before making preventive healthcare part of your life.
Screening is designed to look for signs of disease before symptoms appear. Depending on your age, medical history, family history and individual risk, your healthcare professional can advise which screening tests are appropriate for you and how often you need them.
The same principle applies beyond breast health.
When did you last check your blood pressure? Blood sugar? Cholesterol? Are you up to date with cervical screening? Do you know your family medical history?
We service our cars before they break down. We schedule performance reviews at work. Yet, with the one body expected to carry us through everything, we sometimes wait for a crisis.
Put Prevention on Your Calendar
Start here:
Know your numbers. Have your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol assessed as recommended for you.
Know your breast health. Be familiar with your normal and report unusual or persistent changes promptly.
Know your screening needs. Ask a qualified healthcare professional which breast and cervical screening options are appropriate for your age and personal risk.
Know your family history. A history of certain cancers and other conditions may influence your healthcare decisions.
Book it. “I should get checked” is not a plan. Put the appointment on your calendar.
And please remember: screening is not about searching anxiously for something to be wrong. It is about giving yourself the advantage of information.
Feeling fine is something to be grateful for.
But let it never become your reason for avoiding preventive care.
This October, don’t just ask yourself, “How do I feel?”
Ask the more powerful question: “What do I know about my health?”
Until next time, let’s glow intentionally.
Judy Okolo is a Pharmacist and a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach