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AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION by Ihor Magun, M.D. Current medical practice and research are fo cusing on preventive medicine. Health care profess- sionals are emphasizing the importance of early detec tion of medical problems and recommend common screening procedures for many medical conditions. Among these is a procedure testing for fasting glucose (sugar). Current ranges of normal values have been adjusted to detect diabetes. In asymptomatic, un diagnosed individuals, testing by age 45 is recom mended. Younger individuals with a family history of diabetes, women who may have had diabetes during pregnancy, people who are obese or hypertensive, or those with abnormal thirst or frequent urination should obviously be tested at any age. Cholesterol screening and a complete liquid evaluation, including good cholesterol (HDL), bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides are recommended for all adults 20 years and older and should be re peated as needed based on the results of the initial screening. A baseline comprehensive ocular examination by an ophthalmologist should be performed by age 40 and repeated every 2 to 4 years. Individuals 65 or older should have more frequent evaluations. Indi viduals with a family history of glaucoma are at risk for developing glaucoma and should consider screen ing by age 20. Colorectal cancer screening should begin by age 50. Annual fecal occult blood testing (use of a test card which screens for blood) and one of two addi tional tests should be offered. The first option would be a flexible sigmoidoscopy and digital rectal exami nation every five years. The second option is more comprehensive: a total colon evaluation either by colonoscopy with a digital rectal exam every 10 years, or a double contrast barium enema with a digital rectal exam every 5 to 10 years. If there is a family or per sonal history of colon or gastro-intestinal problems, screening should begin at a much earlier age and should be performed more often. Colon cancer is 100% curable if caught at an early stage. Women and even some men develop osteopo rosis. Women who are still having their periods should have a bone density test. Most bone loss occurs in the first five years after menopause and a physician can recommend preventive measures to minimize further loss. Because new treatments are available, a bone density assessment is also recommended for women who are in menopause. Mammography screenings remain controver sial, but the consensus is that women should have a baseline mammography by age 40, bi-annual mammo graphies until age 50, and annual mammographies af ter age 50. Pap smears and annual pelvic examinations should continue until age 75. Immunizations are recommended for indi viduals traveling to certain countries or regions of the world. Tetanus/diphtheria shots should be updated pe riodically. For older individuals or those with certain chronic conditions, the pneumococcal vaccine and an annual influenza vaccine are recommended. This brief summary of preventive screenings and preventive vaccines applies mostly to healthy in dividuals. Add it to your "to do" list and follow through. That ounce of prevention can make you hap pier, healthier and stronger. Above all, it is a much better alternative than the pound of cure that could be necessary if preventive and proactive screenings and recommendations are ignored. Dr. H. Turkewicz-Sanko regrets that in her article "Maintaining Ukrainian Language in the Diaspora" (September 2000, October 2000), she neglected to mention the names of three individuals who graciously welcomed her at their respective schools and provided valuable information for her research. She wishes to express her appreciation and gratitude to Mrs. Kateryna Nemyra, Director of the Saint Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral Community Ethnic School, to Mrs. Daria Fedoriw of Saint Josephat Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Cathedral Parochial School, and Dr. Wieslaw Kosc, Director of the Cleveland Ukrainian Community Ethnic School "Ridna Shkola". Видання C оюзу Українок A мерики - перевидано в електронному форматі в 2012 році . A рхів C У A - Ню Йорк , Н . Й . C Ш A.
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