Why Preventive Care Matters: A Doctor’s Perspective

As a primary care physician, one of the most meaningful aspects of my role is helping patients stay healthy, not just treating illness when it arises. Preventive care, including regular screenings and wellness visits, is a key part of how we achieve that goal together.

Even if you feel perfectly healthy, an annual preventive visit provides the opportunity to assess your current health, identify risk factors, and catch potential concerns before they become more serious. In fact, preventive care is one of the most effective tools we have in modern medicine.

What is a prevention visit?

Often referred to as an “annual physical” or “general check-up,” a preventive visit is focused on your long-term health. This is different from a visit to address symptoms or manage an existing condition.

At your preventive visit, your doctor will take time to:

• Review your personal and family medical history

• Evaluate your lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, sleep, and stress

• Monitor important health indicators such as blood pressure, weight, and cholesterol

• Discuss age-appropriate screenings and vaccinations

• Address mental and emotional well-being

• Answer your questions and help you plan for a healthy future

These visits are typically covered by insurance, and many recommended screenings are also included as preventive services under most health plans.

Why screening matters.

Screening tests are designed to detect health problems before symptoms appear. This is important because many serious conditions—including some cancers, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol—can develop silently over time. When we catch them early, we often have more options for effective treatment and better outcomes.

However, not all screenings are appropriate for every person. One of the responsibilities of a primary care provider is to guide patients through evidence-based screening recommendations. These guidelines are based on extensive research and are designed to ensure that the benefits of screening outweigh any potential risks.

Why we don't screen for everything.

It’s not uncommon for patients to ask for a long list of tests “just to be safe.” While this instinct is understandable, more testing is not always better. In fact, unnecessary tests can lead to unintended consequences, including:

• Radiation exposure

• False positives (which can lead to unnecessary stress or procedures)

• Over-testing (which may find things that never would have caused problems)

In my previous role in South Korea, I led a preventive screening facility that provided extensive lab tests and imaging studies. While this approach had some advantages, it also underscored for me the importance of balance. In the United States, our screening recommendations are guided by organizations such as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), which carefully weighs the risks and benefits of each screening test.

The goal is not to screen for everything, but to screen for the right things at the right time—with a clear path to treatment, if needed.
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Common screening recommendations.

Let’s take a look at a few of the most common screening tests we recommend in primary care, and the reasoning behind them.

Lung cancer screening.

Lung cancer screening is done with a low-dose CT scan, but it’s only recommended for people who meet specific criteria:

• A 20 pack-year smoking history

• Current smoker or quit within the last 15 years

• Typically between ages 50-80

Because this test involves radiation, we avoid it in people who are unlikely to benefit—such as lifelong non-smokers—since the risks may outweigh the advantages.

Colon cancer screening.

Colon cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, especially when caught early. The starting age for routine colon cancer screening was recently lowered from 50 to 45 years, due to increasing rates in younger adults. There are several colon cancer screening options:

• Stool-based tests (like FIT or Cologuard) can be done at home and are non-invasive.

• Colonoscopy remains the gold standard and is typically done every 10 years if normal.

If you have a family history of colon cancer, you may need to begin screening 10 years before the age at which your relative was diagnosed. For example, if you had a parent who was diagnosed at 50, your first screening should happen at 40.

Cardiovascular screening.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. Fortunately, we have reliable ways to monitor and manage key risk factors:

• Blood pressure is checked at every visit

• Cholesterol and blood glucose levels are measured periodically

• We also assess lifestyle factors such as smoking, diet, exercise, and stress

By tracking these markers over time, we can intervene early, often with lifestyle changes and, if needed, medication.

Mental health screening.

Depression and anxiety can affect anyone. We check in regularly because your mental health matters just as much as your physical health.

The value of a primary care relationship.

Having a primary care provider (PCP) means you have a consistent partner in your health. Over time, we get to know you, including your medical history, your preferences, and what’s normal for you. That familiarity makes it easier to detect subtle changes and respond quickly when something isn’t right.

Primary care also plays a central role in coordinating care. If a specialist is needed, your PCP can make referrals, share your history, and ensure that all parts of your health care work together. At MedStar Health, we have the benefit of working closely with a large network of trusted specialists, which allows us to provide seamless care when it matters most.

Individualized recommendations.

One of the most important parts of prevention is personalization. Screening guidelines are a starting point, but each person’s risk is unique.

Your age, gender, personal medical history, and family history all influence which screenings are recommended. That’s why it’s so valuable to have an ongoing relationship with a primary care provider who knows your history and can help you navigate these decisions.

If you ever feel unsure about a recommended test, I encourage you to ask:

• What are the benefits of this screening for me?

• Are there any risks or side effects?

• What will we do if the result is abnormal?

Bringing a list of questions to your visit is always helpful. Your doctor is here to guide you and answer your concerns with empathy and clarity.

Preventive care is about more than just checking boxes on a list of tests. It’s a proactive approach to keeping you healthy today, tomorrow, and for years to come. Whether it’s catching a condition early, reducing your risk of chronic disease, or simply having a trusted place to ask questions, preventive care is one of the most powerful tools in medicine.

If it’s been more than a year since your last visit, consider scheduling your preventive check-up. Your health is worth protecting, and we’re here to help you do just that.