Did you know?
Adults who feel good, eat right and exercise regularly may feel as though annual wellness visits are unnecessary, but nothing could be further from the truth. Data from the Office for National Statistics indicates that, for most cancers, one- and five-year survival rates are significantly higher if the cancer is detected early. But many cancers do not exhibit symptoms in their early stages, or if they do, produce only mild symptoms that do not compel adults to visit their physicians. As a result, annual wellness visits may serve as the only opportunity for physicians to uncover cancers before they reach advanced stages, where survival rates tend to be much lower. During annual physicals, women may receive routine pelvic exams and pap tests, while men may be tested for colon cancer and prostate cancer. Skipping these visits allows cancers more time to spread, thus complicating treatment plans and potentially reducing survival rates. Annual physicals also may uncover certain factors, such as an unhealthy weight or skin issues like moles, that could be risk factors for cancer or initial warning signs that the disease is present.