It’s the beginning of the year and no better time than to make all of your doctors’ appointments if you are able. I usually hound my friends about making their various appointments because I want all of us to live long, healthy lives and use doctors’ offices to prevent any long-term serious illnesses and catch any issues ahead of time.
Far too often, African Americans use doctors to cure as opposed to help prevent. I know not everyone has insurance and I also know it can be daunting and quite frightening to see a doctor if you have let many years pass. However, now is the time to make that appointment with a doctor or clinic to check on things before it is too late.
First, the dentist. I had no idea just how many people feared the dentist. Going to the dentist can be a painful and expensive experience, but letting cavities lead to multiple root canals can be expensive, painful, and dangerous for your heart health. Getting a proper cleaning is also a way to maintain your overall health — not just for your teeth, but for your gums as well.
Second, I am always encouraging my female friends to get their annual mammogram. It can be an uncomfortable experience, but the discomfort only lasts five minutes. That is a relatively short period of time to have yearly peace of mind. Sadly, Black women have higher proportional rates of dangerous breast cancers because we are less likely to have annual breast exams.
Third, if you are older than 45, you need to schedule that colonoscopy. Yes, the rumors of the nasty sludge you must drink before your colonoscopy are somewhat true. However, once you fast for a day and have a procedure, you will know if you have any potentially cancerous polyps that need to be removed from your colon. A colonoscopy is once every 10 years, and the 24-hour preparation and 25-minute procedure are well worth it. Also, more and more doctors are using other ways to clear out your colon before the procedure, so the sludge is being phased out by some physicians.
Lastly, have a checkup with your primary care physician to help direct you to the proper doctors to check on everything from ovaries for some and prostate for others. Checking our blood pressure (especially during this administration) is imperative, and making sure bloodwork is done for diabetes, cholesterol, and STDs can put the mind at ease.
I know many people do not like seeing doctors, but please let them do their jobs to help prevent illness as opposed to finding miracles to cure. And please spread the word to friends and family and other loved ones to do the same.
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of the books “How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams” and “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; and co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.