Week 5: Activating Your Preventative Care Plan
Catching the quiet things before they become loud problems.
Hello, Wellness Fam!
We are back with another task from my weekly wellness guide. Each week, I focus on one actionable step you can take towards improving your overall wellness. Last month, I focused on mental health. This month, it’s all about going to the doctor and getting the most out of those visits.
I’m not the best when it comes to staying on schedule with important Drs appointments. That is a big part of the reason I am doing this wellness guide, because I need it too. Between work, family, and trying to squeeze in a workout… a doctor’s visit can feel like a chore. But think of your body like a high-performance vehicle. You wouldn’t wait for the engine to smoke before getting an oil change, right?
This week’s task: Schedule your annual medical screenings.
Why the Schedule Matters
Most of us know why this matters, but let’s get into these details as a needed reminder. Research consistently shows that staying on schedule with screenings is the single most effective way to reduce long-term health risks. According to the CDC and the Mayo Clinic, early detection of conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and certain cancers increases the success rate of treatment by up to 80%.
For many chronic diseases, by the time you feel sick, the condition has already progressed to an alarming stage. Regular testing creates a baseline for your health, allowing your doctor to notice even the smallest shifts in your numbers.
A Critical Note for Black Women
It is important to acknowledge that health equity is still a work in progress. Research highlights that Black women face unique risks that make these annual checks even more vital:
Breast Cancer: While Black women are diagnosed with breast cancer at similar rates to white women, they are 40% more likely to die from it. Studies published in the Journal of Breast Imaging suggest that because Black women are more prone to aggressive “triple-negative” cancers at younger ages, many experts recommend starting annual mammograms at age 40 (or earlier if there is a family history) rather than waiting until 50.
Heart Health: Black women have the highest prevalence of cardiovascular disease in the U.S. High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because it has no symptoms, making that annual cuff check a life-saving habit.
Maternal Health: With the maternal mortality crisis disproportionately affecting Black women, preconception and postpartum screenings are essential for monitoring long-term heart and metabolic health.
Your Screening Checklist: What to Schedule
Not sure what you need? Here is a quick guide to the essentials:
Annual Physical Exam: A “head-to-toe” check to discuss your overall wellness, mental health, and family history.
Blood Pressure Screening: Black women have the highest rates of hypertension in the world. Checking this annually (or more often if it’s elevated) is critical.
Well-Woman/Pelvic Exam: A clinical exam to check reproductive health.
Dental Exam & Cleaning: Oral health is directly linked to heart health. Cleanings should happen every 6 months, unless your dentist suggest otherwise.
Skin Self-Exam: While dermatologists recommend annual professional checks, you should perform a monthly self-check for any new or changing moles
Mental Health ScreenAnnualScreening for anxiety and depression is now a standard of care.
MammogramAges 40+: (some doctors suggest 35-38 if there's a family history). Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer, often due to later diagnosis so the sooner the better.
Colorectal ScreeningAge 45: (formerly 50).There is a higher incidence of early-onset colon cancer in the Black community.
Diabetes (A1C/Glucose)Age 35+: (earlier if BMI is >25).Black women are twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes compared to white women.
Cervical Cancer (Pap/HPV):Every 3–5 years starting at age 21.To catch pre-cancerous cells early when they are 100% treatable.
Cholesterol Panel: At least every 5 years starting at age 20.To manage the risk of heart disease, the #1 killer of Black women.
Make the Most of Your Visits:
In the coming weeks, this newsletter series will focus on what you will need to get the most out of these visits… what you should bring from home, what questions you need to ask the doctor about results and follow ups, etc. Also, the best way to advocate for yourself if you feel dismissed and you are not getting what you need. So please subscribe so this information lands in your inbox.
As we move together through this year-long journey toward better health, I hope you will think of me as your Accountability Partner. I welcome your feedback. Let me know what is helpful and what you want to see more of.
Be well,
Jacque