How preventative screenings protect your long-term health

Going to your annual primary care appointment is one of the easiest steps you can take to support your lifelong health. At Evergreen, we know that providing quality medical care means more than just addressing health issues once they arise – it means offering comprehensive preventative care and services that support your whole-person health and wellness, including regular health screenings.

According to a recent survey of over 4,000 adults in the U.S., only 42% of respondents received an annual physical in the past year – and only 48% of eligible respondents received a mammogram, 22% of eligible respondents received a gynecological exam, and 16% of eligible respondents had a colonoscopy.

We want our patients to live their fullest, healthiest lives. Getting preventative care by going to your annual primary care exam is essential if you want to protect your lifelong health and catch health issues earlier when they’re easier to treat.

“Preventive health screenings catch potential issues early, enabling timely care and reducing serious risks. Regular checkups are key to staying healthy and preventing future complications,” says Dr. Thomas Foels, Medical Director of Population Health at Evergreen.

When you come to your annual visit at Evergreen, you’ll receive preventative screenings including:

• blood pressure screening and standard blood tests
• depression screening: if depression is identified, your primary care provider can connect you to mental health services
• safety and material needs screening: your primary care provider will ask you questions to make sure you have a safe home environment free from interpersonal violence, and are meeting your needs around housing and nutrition
• chest tissue exam: for people with breasts or chest tissue, your primary care provider can perform a chest tissue exam to check for masses

Depending on your age, what organs you have, and other factors, you may need additional screenings to catch issues early and support your long-term health.

Evergreen provides affirming gynecological care to women, transgender and nonbinary patients, including cervical cancer screenings, also known as pelvic exams or pap smears. Pelvic exams are necessary for people with a cervix to be screened for cervical cancer and its risk factors.

We also provide screenings for STIs, HIV, Hepatitis C, and other sexual health concerns. Getting tested regularly for STIs and HIV is an important part of preventative care for anyone who’s sexually active, and at Evergreen testing is always fast, easy and confidential.

If you’re eligible for any screenings that require a visit to a specialist, your primary care provider will connect you with a referral. These might include:

• colon cancer screening: Evergreen provides patients with FIT Kits or Cologuard, and can refer you to a colonoscopy if needed. Patients who are over 45 years old or have other risk factors, including a family history of colon cancer, should speak with their primary care provider about getting screened for colon cancer
• diabetes screening: we manage patient diabetes and provide Hemoglobin A1C testing, and refer diabetes patients out to endocrinology consults as needed
• breast cancer screening: we provide chest tissue exams to eligible patients during annual primary care exams, and refer eligible patients to mammography screening. Patients with breast tissue who are 40 to 74 years old should speak with their primary care provider about getting screened for breast cancer
• lung cancer screening: we refer eligible patients that could benefit from lung cancer screening to a low dose CT scan. Patients who are 50 to 80 years old and have a history of smoking should speak with their primary care provider about getting screened for lung cancer

We know that for many people, going to your annual primary care visit can feel daunting, especially if you haven’t been in a few years. Rest assured that our team will meet you where you are, will never judge, and will connect you with the medical and supportive services you need to be healthy.

If you haven’t yet had your primary care visit this year, give us a call at 716.847.2441 (press option 5) and we’ll get you on our schedule.

We’re accepting new adult Primary Care patients at all our locations, and new Pediatric Care patients at 800 Hertel Ave.

Fill out our new patient request form or call us at 716.847.2441 (option 5) to learn more.