THE POWER OF PREVENTION – HOW CAN THE ANNUAL CHECK UP SAVE LIVES?
The scientific truths applied in Preventive Medicine and Health Care have contributed to freeing people from premature death and the morbid fear of diseases. However, millions of people worldwide succumb to predictable and curable diseases, which are detected late.
There are methods of clinical prevention that aim to avoid the occurrence of a disease (primary prevention), or to detect and treat a disease when it is asymptomatic (secondary prevention).
Tertiary prevention aims to reduce the complications of an already established disease.
In all three of these cases, the annual check-up has its place, because in all three it can save lives or prolong their duration.
Lifestyle changes (diet – exercise – weight loss – smoking cessation – adequate rest – electronic detoxification – moderation in alcohol) as well as regular vaccinations are, together with check-ups, the main methods of clinical prevention and must be combined in order to achieve optimal clinical benefit. For example, vaccination against HPV can prevent cervical cancer, while the Pap Test can detect it early.
In everyday life, it is useful to remember five factors that can expose us to diseases: Water, Food, Insects, Animals and People. By diligently following the hygiene rules for clean water, properly preserved food, protection from insects and animals as well as contacts with other people, we can protect ourselves from potentially dangerous diseases.
Throughout the month of April, the Athens Medical Group is offering preventive check-up packages for women and men, on the occasion of World Health Day (7/4/2024).
Let’s take advantage of this offer and make prevention a constant priority in our lives.
