Don’t wait fifteen years to get a physical

American women are fighting back against the new GOP war on women with marches, protests, petitions and outrage. And while women are showing amazing strength, organization and passion about their own health, there are a few tool we may be ignoring. I’m speaking about annual physicals.

I waited over 15 years to get a physical, and last Friday, I finally went in. I don’t have any one big thing wrong, I have a few little things that add up to lifestyle changes, and more tests. This morning, Monday, I am getting my first mammogram. I am not thrilled, but I know it is necessary. And I know that taking responsibility for my own health is the first, and most important step towards fighting for other women’s health and welfare.

The schedule for pap smears has changed in the past few years. If you have never had an abnormal pap, or you have, but it was many years ago, you now are only required to have one every 3 years. Again, this is if you have never had an abnormal pap result or the only abnormal pap result was, as it is in my case, over 20 years ago. If you have had frequent abnormal pap results, you will want to speak with your doctor about your own schedule, but you will probably need to be screened every year.

Having a physical is also important to screen for cholesterol levels, glucose levels and triglyceride levels. My own glucose level was normal, but my cholesterol and triglycerides are high. Because we caught this early, I simply need to take a natural supplement, get more exercise and change my diet. If I had waited any longer, I may have had to begin a medication regimen.

There are many people in America without health insurance. If you do a little research, odds are you can find a clinic or physician in your area who can give you a complete physical that will either cost very little, or he or she will be able to set up a payment plan. Let me ask you: which is more expensive; prevention or treatment? What if you receive a diagnosis like the one I did on Friday-enough polyps and cysts to start a zoo-but in your case, some of them are malignant? Or you have pelvic inflammatory disease? Don’t wait.

This goes for men, as well. Your wife, your partner and your family want you around as long as possible, and for that to happen, you need to make an appointment for a physical. If you’re over 50, you will need a prostate exam. Yes, I realize those are unpleasant, but trust someone who has had two colonoscopies-you’ll survive.

Women tend to ignore themselves in order to care for others. The problem is that if we continue to do that, eventually, we will not be able to care for anyone at all. Women die from breast cancer and cervical cancer, for the most part because they don’t go to the doctor. Go to the doctor. Get a pelvic exam, get a pap screening, get blood draws and get a mammogram. Don’t wait for pain or a lump or for your body to slap you in the face and scream “HI! I’m really sick!” Go to the doctor before anything becomes a problem.

If we really want to show the GOP powers that be we are serious about fighting for our health, what better way than to take care of ourselves? You can make it a family affair; you and your husband or partner both get physicals on the same day. Medical issues like high cholesterol, cancer, cysts, polyps and swollen lymph nodes do not care if you’re straight, gay, black, white, conservative or liberal. Everyone in America needs to take care of themselves.

Mad Mike’s loves our readers, we love the enthusiasm of your comments and feedback, and we’d like you around as we continue to build the next great web magazine. So, now the article’s almost over. Pick up a phone book, pick up a phone and go get a physical. Save your own life so you can continue to share your joy and passion with the world.

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