An Ounce of Prevention

Low Dose Aspirin Therapy

Low does aspirin therapy has been linked to reduced risk of heart attach, thrombotic stroke and possibly colorectal cancer. Post-menopuasal women under 60 with two or more cardiovascular risk factors as well as men over 50 and women over 60 with any such factors, should ask their doctor whether benefits of aspirin outweigh risks.

Estrogen Replacement

Research shows that postmenopausal women receive clear benefits from estrogen replacement therapy. ERT protects bones and heart, eases menopausal symptoms, and may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, colon cancer, depression, osteoarthritis, and tooth loss.

Immunization

Flu vaccine halvs flu-related illness and hospitalization and cuts deaths by two thirds. Another shot can prevent pneumococcal pneumonia, often fatal in older people. Annual flu shots are especially important for people over 65 and for nursing home residents.

Healthy people generally need just one pneumonia shot; those with chronic disease should be revaccinated every six years.

Screening Tests

Screening can detect diseases including cancers, coronary disease, diabetes, and glaucoma early enough to control and sometimes cure them. Ask your doctor how often to get each test and whether your risk factors warrant starting earlier than indicated here.

Starting at age 18

  • blood pressure for hypertension
  • tenometry for glaucoma
  • pap smear for women to detect cervical cancer

Starting at 40

  • blood profile for diabetes and cholesterol levels
  • mammogram in women to detect breast cancer
  • rectal exam to detect colon cancer in women and men; and in men, prostate cancer

Starting at 50

  • sigmoidoscopy to detect colorectal cancer
  • PSA blood test in men to detect prostate cancer

Starting at menopause

  • bone scan to detect osteoporosis recommended
    • baseline scan at menopause
    • periodically for women who don't take estrogen who are under 65 with a high fracture risk
      • for all women over 65