Get Preventive Health Tests You Need

If you are at risk for some disease whether or not it is inherited, why not check for it early? Get checked for everything you possibly can that is available.  Make this a lifestyle change like weight control, exercise, and proper diet.  Help yourself and your health care with preventive tests.
Many doctors are concerned that tests obtained by patients on their own will lead to unnecessary procedures. Often these tests may show abnormal things that are “normal” meaning that the abnormal finding is something that is just there. It is benign, and not life threatening.

What does the doctor do when a patient comes in with a test that they have done on their own? The patient has decided that I may need this test because heart disease, and /or cancer runs in my family, plus heart disease is the number one killer. Should I have a heart scan, or a virtual colonoscopy? Patients are often told that tests may find things that are benign, but something serious may show up. It could be something that would turn up in a few years that could have been prevented if detected early.
What does the doctor do when a patient comes in with abnormal test results from a test they orders and paid for themselves?
1. Repeat the test
2. Refer the patient to a specialist
3. Do more tests to check it out
4. Scold the patient and say “It’s okay. There’s nothing to worry about.”

What does the patient do? What is best for your good health.  Best health!