Health When asked whether he had seen his doctor about it, he replied that his family doctor had retired last year and he was unable to find another. I instructed him to attend a walk-in clinic as soon as possible and, if none were available, he should go to the local urgent health-care location. There are other examples of persons who have not had routine followup for serious conditions. For example, a retired friend who curls with me told me of his wife who had breast cancer six years ago and was told to have regular followup mammograms. She was never given such periodic reviews of her health and had had no mammogram ordered in more than five years. I advised him to be sure that she booked a specific appointment to review this issue. There are many conditions that can be detected with such periodic health examinations. Auscultation can pick up unknown conditions such as carotid narrowing, atrial fibrillation, other cardiac conditions and abdominal aortic aneurysm. Palpation can detect breast and abdominal masses, as well as circulatory problems that were not known. Visual examination can detect potentially malignant skin lesions and other skin conditions. Blood pressure measurements may show hypertension. At a Snowbird Winter Information Meeting in Clearwater a couple of years ago, my wife took the blood pressure of a 65-year-old friend of ours from Canada and the recording was about 200/120. He said that he was always healthy and had not had his blood pressure taken in years. He was advised to seek immediate attention for this dangerous level of blood pressure. His blood pressure is now controlled. There are many conditions that can be diagnosed during such periodic health examinations. Diabetes is often detected in an asymptomatic patient. Cataracts, hypertension, atrial fibrillation and skin cancer are examples. Kidney disease is a slowly developing condition in which the kidneys begin failing and may eventually result in total failure. Many are diagnosed when remedial measures are no longer effective and signs and symptoms of the condition require regular dialysis or kidney transplant. A simple urine test that shows protein in the urine allows for early diagnosis and appropriate dietary modifications for managing the condition. In summary, the restriction of access to necessary medical attention affects not only those with no family physician, but may reduce appropriate care, followup and attention to recommended preventive measures to those who do have one. In this day of computer access to vital health information, if you suspect that you or a family member should be seen by a physician, you must actively seek such attention. Whether it be a new symptom, a chronic condition needing assessment, an immunization need or a long overdue personal health examination, don’t neglect to make the arrangements, even if your last resort is a walk-in clinic, or urgent care centre. CSANews | SUMMER 2024 | 33
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