Physical
Preventive Health
Awareness, healthy habits, and early detection are often your best defense for preventing, managing, or overcoming serious illness.
Physical
Awareness, healthy habits, and early detection are often your best defense for preventing, managing, or overcoming serious illness.
Take a deeper dive into your total health journey by checking out our featured resource below.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The term refers to the many conditions that can affect the heart, which can lead to heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, and more.
6 in 10
Adults in the U.S. are expected to develop a form of heart disease over the next 30 years.*
*According to projections by the American Heart Association.
Heart disease can develop when plaque builds up inside the arteries, causing them to narrow and stiffen, and making it harder for blood to flow freely to the heart. Key risk factors include smoking, poor diet, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and a lack of physical activity.
It can lead to symptoms such as:
"Cardiovascular disease's superpower is being patient. Over time, the things you used to be able to do now take your breath away. Sometimes, it happens so slowly that we think, 'We're out of shape,' or it's just part of getting older. However, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States for a reason. It takes vigilance to beat it."
— Men's Health Network
Focus on your daily habits, like eating a healthy diet, staying active, managing your stress, and protecting your sleep. Talk with your doctor about checking your blood pressure and cholesterol. It's good to establish a baseline for both, as small problems can grow if left unchecked.
This is the most common cancer for men. It starts with a growth of cells in the prostate gland, which is part of the male reproductive system, located just below the bladder.
1 in 8
Men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their life. That rate increases to 1 in 6 for Black men.*
*According to Statistics from American Cancer Society and ZERO Prostate Cancer.
Certain factors can increase your risk of prostate cancer, such as family history, smoking, and being older than 50.
It can lead to symptoms such as:
"Not everyone experiences symptoms of prostate cancer. Many times, signs of prostate cancer are first detected by a doctor during a routine check-up. If you’re 50, you should be talking to your doctor about PSA testing. If you’re African American, you need to start that conversation at 45. And if you have a brother or father with prostate cancer in their history, do it at 45.”
— Movember
The No. 1 move is to start a conversation with your health care provider about how and when to potentially get screened. Other key steps include learning about your family history, quitting tobacco, and maintaining a healthy weight.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body regulates blood sugar.
2 in 5
More than 2 in 5 U.S. adults are living with prediabetes, a serious condition where blood sugar is elevated but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.*
*According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A host of factors can potentially lead to diabetes, including genetics, obesity, diet, and a lack of exercise.
It can lead to symptoms such as:
In many cases, it develops quietly at first.
"Diabetes prevention isn't about waiting until something is wrong. It's about building habits that protect your health every day. A daily walk may seem simple, but simple actions done consistently can change the trajectory of our health and our communities. Just 30 minutes of walking a day, five days a week, can reduce the risk of diabetes by 58%. Prevention starts with taking the first step.”
— GirlTREK
A few simple lifestyle changes can really help. Stay active, eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, and talk with your doctor about checking your blood sugar, especially if you have a family history or other risk factors. Catching prediabetes or diabetes early can help prevent more serious complications later on.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States — yet it’s also one of the most preventable and treatable when caught early. It begins when damaged skin cells start to grow out of control, often after too much exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.
5+ Million
New cases of skin cancer are diagnosed every year in the U.S.*
*According to the American Cancer Society.
Skin cancer can affect anyone, regardless of skin color. It develops when UV radiation damages skin cells over time. Your risk increases with repeated sun exposure, a history of sunburns, tanning bed use, fair skin, a large number of moles, a weakened immune system, older age, or a family history of skin cancer.
Can appear as:
“Think of sun protection as part of your everyday game plan, not something you save for a day at the beach. UV rays can damage your skin whenever you’re outside, so seek shade, cover up, and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Small habits like these can help lower your risk of skin cancer while still letting you enjoy the outdoors."
— American Cancer Society
Protect your skin from the sun. This means wearing sunscreen daily (at least SPF30), wearing protective or long-sleeve clothing, avoiding tanning beds, and seeking shade when possible, particularly during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Use the ABCDE rule to evaluate moles or spots, looking out for: Asymmetry, uneven Borders, varied Color, increasing Diameter, and Evolving changes.
Staying ahead with checkups and screenings is a smart move. Did you know? The CDC reports that regular health checkups and screenings could save more than 100,000 lives every year.
Be proactive, find out which screenings or checkups you need, and make an appointment today.
You don’t have to do this alone. Keeping track of next steps and then making informed decisions about your health is a team effort. But to make the right moves, you and your health care provider need to be on the same page. Be honest and ask questions.
Here are a few tips to get the most out of your visits:
There are choices you can make every day that can lower your risk of cancer. Research shows that about half of cancer cases and cancer deaths could be prevented with what we know today.
See how you can cut your risk or catch it early with these 8 simple tips.
Also, don’t forget, if you have any personal or family history of cancer, tell your health care provider. Depending on your history, you might need to start screenings earlier or get checked more often. It’s better to know!
Getting screened for cancer helps you stay ahead of the game and spot any problems early. Figure out which tests you need by answering a few quick questions with this easy screening chart or by taking the screening quiz!
Already have a good idea of what screenings you need? Find one near you and book today.
There are proven steps you can take to reduce your risk for diabetes. Right now, it’s estimated that more than 1 in 3 American adults have prediabetes — elevated blood sugar levels that put them at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.
Start by getting tested. Then make a game plan for prevention.
If your heart’s not in the game, neither are you. Cardiovascular health issues can slow you down, but there’s a lot you can do to help prevent them.
When it comes to heart disease, be on the lookout for symptoms like chest pain and discomfort, shortness of breath, or even heart palpitations. Also, watch out for these risk factors: High blood pressure (also known as hypertension), family history of heart disease, smoking and using tobacco, and an unhealthy weight.
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Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., but you can stack the odds in your favor by making a few key moves. Here’s how to keep your motor running:
Just a few minutes a day of stretching helps improve circulation, reduce stress, and keep your body moving strong. Give it a try:
1
Standing Chest Opener: Stand tall, with your feet hip-width apart, and clasp your hands behind your back. Gently straighten your arms and lift your hands slightly, opening your chest. Hold for 20-30 seconds, breathing deeply.
2
Side Body Stretch: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and reach your right arm overhead and gently lean left, keeping your hips steady. Hold for 15-20 seconds, feeling the stretch along your side. Repeat on the other side.
3
March in Place: Stand tall and begin marching in place. Swing your arms and bring your knees up as high as is comfortable. Continue for 30-45 seconds.
Tip: Repeat daily for a healthy heart — and if you have any health concerns, always check with your doctor before trying new exercise routines.
Keeping your nutrition on point can lower your risk for major health issues like heart disease, stroke, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Eat whole foods (think fruits and vegetables as well as unprocessed meats) and healthy fats (think avocados and eggs) and get regular exercise. The closer you stick to healthy eating habits, the better your chances of a longer, stronger life.
Want more nutrition and diet tips and info? We’ve got you covered.
Ready to keep going? Check out another topic to see how you can elevate your health.
