A letter from William Kose, MD, JD, Vice President of Special Projects, Blanchard Valley Health System

Regular medical checkups and screenings can reveal minor problems before they become more serious. But we know that, nationwide, many people have not scheduled these tests. There may be any number of reasons. In the early stages of COVID-19, people were reluctant to go to a doctor’s office in person, except in an emergency.  And, of course, in many cases, it was harder to get those appointments during that period, as healthcare workers were stretched thin.

Since then, some people have fallen out of the habit of regular screenings or checkups. Maybe they meant to call and make an appointment but never got around to it. Maybe they have no symptoms of an illness, so they assume they don’t need to be screened. 

However, regular checkups ensure that members of our community are being screened for conditions like high blood pressure, which generally has no symptoms but can lead to serious health problems if not addressed. And those with chronic illnesses, like diabetes, will have a much better quality of life if they’re working with a physician to manage their illness effectively.

We at Blanchard Valley Health System are therefore reminding all community members to catch up on necessary screenings.

Cancer of any type is easier to treat when caught in the early stages. While “you have cancer” can be scary words to hear regardless, the treatment, recovery time, discomfort and expense will all be lessened if the cancer is detected while it’s still small.

We know one out of every eight women will develop breast cancer, at some point in her lifetime. In Northwest Ohio, that amounts to thousands of women.

Our mammography rates in Findlay, Bluffton and Ottawa have fluctuated. Figures from 2021 and 2022 were higher than in 2020, the first year of the pandemic. Still, many area women are not getting regular mammograms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that seven in 10 adults ages 50 to 75 are up to date with colorectal cancer screenings. That means nearly one-third are not.

Not only can this test find cancer when it’s in its early stages, it can also detect precancerous polyps that have the possibility of turning into cancer – thus allowing healthcare providers to remove them before they ever do.

Some may be afraid or apprehensive. If you are postponing a screening or test because you worry it might be unpleasant or uncomfortable, talk with your healthcare provider ahead of time. They may relieve some of your fears and help you know what to expect.

Whatever your reason, if you’ve fallen behind on these tests and checkups, you’re not alone. But we urge you to please get on the phone and make that call. It could make a real difference to your health.