In the 18^th century, preventive medicine boiled down to “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” as stated in the phrase coined by Benjamin Franklin.  Three hundred years later, we’re not just talking about apples anymore.  Thanks to centuries of medical research, primary care doctors now have the ability to screen for, or prevent, many ailments, which had long eluded us.  

The irony of modern day preventive medicine is that it is actually a routine visit to the doctor that in the long run will keep the doctor away.  For it to be truly effective, prevention really should start at a young age.  Starting in the teens and early twenties, we can now give vaccines for cervical cancer, screen for cervical and testicular cancer, screen for high cholesterol and diabetes, and vaccinate against meningitis.  Other screening is on an individualized basis depending upon family and personal history, as some ailments which run in families may not present with symptoms until much later in life.    

As we age, screening for high cholesterol and diabetes remains important, but we also have to be concerned about other diseases which start later in life, such as prostate, colon, and breast cancer.  In addition, screening for and treating high blood pressure can prevent unnecessary stress on the heart and screening for osteoporosis and related vitamin deficiencies (specifically, vitamin D) can help to keep bones strong and prevent debilitating fractures.  Vaccines in the elderly can prevent unnecessary illnesses such as pneumonia or influenza.

Last, but by no means least, one of the most important accomplishments of modern day medicine is education.  Doctors today have the tools to give their patients valuable knowledge, and that in itself leads to prevention.  Just by visiting their primary care doctor for a routine annual physical, patients can come away with a wealth of knowledge that will help to prevent future ailments.  

There are so many resources available today to keep people healthy, and physicians are eager to share them.  So next time you take a bite out of an apple, remember to make a trip to the doctor as well.