By Mia Brabham
Sponsored by Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center
Once the holidays come to a close and the new year begins, time seems to speed up. In order to enjoy all of the important things and people life has to offer, it’s crucial to put our health first.
Preventive care is the building blocks and foundation of good health. When we put our well-being first and consider our long-term health, we are able to be present in our lives and even live longer ones. The doctors at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center work to ensure their patients are as healthy as possible with annual visits and preventive care.
Dr. Gurwinder Singh
Dr. Gurwinder Singh
Dr. Gurwinder Singh, Internal Medicine Physician at Sentara Internal Medicine, is an advocate for the people of Prince William County. Dr. Singh understands the importance of preventive health care. “I believe in listening to my patients,” Dr. Singh says. “I also believe in mutual decision making, which I think leads to better health outcomes. We at Sentara treat our patients not just as numbers, but like they are our family members.”
After completing his residency at Mercy Catholic Medical Center, which is affiliated with Drexel University in Philadelphia, he began working with Sentara Medical Group as an Internal Medicine Physician in Williamsburg. Now, after moving to the area to be closer to his family, he is part of the community here in the Northern Virginia area and is working at the Sentara Woodbridge practice to ensure that his neighbors are in good health.
If you are wondering which annual exams you and your family should plan to have, you’re not alone. Here is a shortlist of appointments provided by Dr. Singh that you should make for the year and every year to come.
What Annual Exams People Should Have
Annual Female Exams and Screenings
- Screening Mammograms: Yearly, starting at age 40 up to age 75. This can be changed to every two years rather than yearly based on risk assessment after the age of 55.
- Pap Smear/Cervical Cancer Screening: Every three years, starting at age 21 up to age 40. Then, every five years from age 40 to age 65.
Annual Male Exams and Screenings
- Prostate Cancer Screening: Yearly, starting at age 40, based on individual risk and family history.
Annual Female and Male Exams and Screenings
- Colonoscopy/Colon Cancer Screening: According to the American Cancer Society, yearly starting at the age of 45. If you have a family history or other risk factors, talk to your healthcare provider might be right for you.
- Cholesterol Screening: According to the CDC, Cholesterol should be checked starting early in life—even children and adolescents should have their cholesterol checked. Talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.
- Every 5 years for people age 20 or older who are at low risk for cardiovascular disease.
- More frequently than every 5 years for people with cardiovascular disease risk factors.
- Diabetes Screening: According to the American Diabetes Association, all patients should be screened for diabetes at three-year intervals beginning at age 45, especially people who are overweight or obese. If multiple risk factors are present, screening should be done at an earlier age and more frequently. To reach the Sentara Diabetes Management Program, call 703-523-0590.
- Hepatitis C Screening: According to the CDC, at least once for all adults from the age of 18 to the age of 79, as per the latest guidelines from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Every individual should be screened at least once with a Hepatitis C antibody test, and if that is reactive, with confirmatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.
- HIV Screening: At least once for those from the age of 13 to the age of 64 as part of routine health care, as per the CDC.
Why You Should Get Annual Exams
“Seeing a primary care provider regularly can help to prevent many diseases and illnesses,” Dr. Singh says. “Missing appointments can lead to a lower quality of care, practice discontinuity — and worse — health outcomes especially for patients with chronic conditions. Preventing a disease is always easier and better than treating or curing one.”
How You Can Get Annual Exams
You can get all these screenings during your annual preventive care exam at Sentara, which includes detailed physical examination, screenings, and immunizations intended to prevent or avoid illness or other health problems. You can see Dr. Singh or another doctor at Sentara Internal Medicine in Woodbridge. Make an appointment today at iwantsentaramedicalgroup.com or call 844-615-1237.
About Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center
Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is a 183-bed, not-for-profit community hospital serving Prince William County and its surrounding communities. Our medical center combines the resources of a major health system with the compassionate, personalized care of a community hospital. SNVMC offers quiet, private rooms and high-quality care focused on safety and patient satisfaction. We offer a wide range of medical specialties, a highly qualified medical and clinical staff, and state-of-the-art technology. Clinical services include advanced imaging, cancer services, diabetes management, emergency care, heart and vascular care, lab services, neurosurgery, primary care, orthopedics, urology, weight loss surgery, women’s services and more. Visit iwantsentaramedicalgroup.com to find a provider today.
