Preventive care is very important to me. I believe it’s the heart of medicine, because we can’t address what we don’t know. Growing up in a rural area in South Africa, I saw people go to the hospital only when they were very sick or dying. By then, it was often too late. That’s why I’m so passionate about empowering people with knowledge — so they can take charge of their health and help others do the same.
What is preventive health?
Preventive health is the practice of taking steps to prevent illness or disease before it occurs. That includes regular screenings, vaccinations, dental check-ups and healthy lifestyle choices. The goal is to focus on long-term health outcomes, detect disease early and intervene before it becomes complicated and before the burden of disease affects your quality of life. Unfortunately, many people don’t get the preventive care they need due to cost, lack of access to a provider, distance or simply not knowing what’s recommended. If you’re 30 or 40, you may wonder: Should I be checking my cholesterol? What screenings do I need? Those are important questions we should be asking.
The impact of chronic disease
Chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity are leading causes of death and disability in the United States.
- More than 944,000 Americans die each year from heart disease or stroke — that’s more than 1 in 3 deaths.
- Over 1.7 million people are diagnosed with cancer annually, and more than 600,000 die from it.
- Diabetes affects 38 million Americans, and another 98 million have prediabetes.
- Obesity affects 20% of children and 42% of adults.
These are diseases we often have the power to prevent or manage — if we act early.
Lifestyle factors matter
- Smoking causes disease, disability and death — and it costs our health system $240 billion each year.
- Physical inactivity and obesity raise the risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
- Excessive alcohol use is responsible for 178,000 deaths annually and one in five deaths among adults ages 20 to 49. It also contributes to cancers, heart disease and accidents.
As primary care doctors, our role is to partner with patients — through regular checkups, tailored advice and monitoring health over time. We track your trends, help you achieve your goals and intervene when needed.
Preventive measures we often take in the office include blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, diabetes checks, vaccinations and cancer screenings. We also talk about lifestyle — regular activity, healthy eating, stress management and sleep.
Cancer screenings save lives
Cancer screenings aim to detect disease before symptoms begin, when treatment is most effective. Here’s what I recommend based on national guidelines:
- Breast cancer: Mammograms starting at age 40 for most women; 3D mammography may be preferred for dense breast tissue
- Cervical cancer: Pap smears and HPV testing for women ages 21 to 65
- Colorectal cancer: Begin screening at age 45 with colonoscopy, stool tests or DNA tests like Cologuard
- Lung cancer: Annual low-dose CT for adults 50–80 with a significant smoking history
- Prostate cancer: PSA blood tests, with screening decisions personalized for those with a family history of prostate cancer recommended earlier screenings given higher risk.
Small steps, big impact
In the end, prevention is about making small, sustainable changes.
- Avoid tobacco.
- Be active.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and low in saturated fats and processed meats.
- Limit alcohol (zero is best).
- Protect against STDs.
- Use sunscreen and avoid tanning beds.
- Get regular screenings based on your history.
- Track your progress, whether it’s through apps, journals or follow-ups with your doctor.
What you do today matters. Even small goals can make a big difference 20 years from now. That’s the power of preventive care.
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