is ignorance bliss when it comes to health?

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I've been of the mindset that I want to be proactive with my health.
I stay on top of all mammograms, physicals, etc etc. As I move into new age ranges I add whatever new tests (like colonoscopy) are relevant.

My sister, on the other hand, feels that I'm "looking for trouble".
I am very assured that I'm doing the right thing, but wondered how all of you feel about the issue.
 
An interesting question!

I think I want to know only when it matters. If I'm going to get cancer in ten years, (and there's no way I can prevent it) then I don't want to know. But if I actually do develop cancer or diabetes or something, then I'd want to know as early as possible, because it would improve the odds of survival considerably.
 
I'm on your side, all the way. The more you know, the better off you are when it comes to your health. the head in the sand approach leaves you open for medical issues to turn into emergencies unnecessarily. That is not the way to go.

You are your own manger of your life, and without your attention, and involvement little things can become problematic. These protocols for the procedures needed as we age are there for a reason, and should be followed.

I tried that ostrich approach when I was younger, and ignored the warnings my doctor gave me about my high blood pressure, after all, I was in my 20's, early 30's...right in the middle of my career, child rearing, and strong as an ox, healthy as could be! At the age of 43, I had 4 strokes, kidney failure and damaged my heart, my retinas, and was left to re-learn how to walk, talk, think, and to this day need help to manage the simplest things, like bills, housework, medications, driving, and more.

This is certainly not to say that everyone will have such drastic outcomes, but it is a my story. These days, I am totally disabled, and see doctors several times each week. To top it off, I was just struck with endometriosis, which is ruining what is left of my life.

Stick with your guns, and make use of the amazing advances that have been made in medicine...If I would have learned that earlier, I could have likely avoided all this! The routine tests are a piece of cake compared to the alternative.
 
I say, more power to you. It's your body, you decide what's right for it! If others think you are being paranoid about your health, that's their opinion, and their choice to be otherwise.

I think when it comes to physicals, mammograms, and so on, it is Very important to kept up on them. Have regular check ups and make sure everything it okay. Especially as we age, these things are extremely important. Your aim is to be in the best possible health you can be, and catching things like cancer, heart disease, etc... is definately the way to do that.

I am all for your persistance with keeping a check on your health...as long as you don't let it take over your entire life. The other part to staying healthy is keeping happy! :)

Good Luck with everything!
 
My husband is one of those head in the sand people and I think my constant health problems make it even worse. But I badgered him for years to have a dermatologist look at this weird shaped black mole on his back. Nope. But then he got a really bad case of warts on his fingers and was embarrassed to shake hands with anyone. So he agreed to see a dermatologist and luckily, she had a male PA who did the work of slowly removing them. On one of his last appointments, I went along and mentioned the mole. It was removed that day and guess what....early melanoma.

Now he is suddenly seeing his docs for everything. It's stupid to put your head in the sand until something goes wrong. And even more stupid to do so after something goes wrong. As I reminded my husband, he paid for the health insurance, why not use it. It's like buying a car....you paid for the turn signals, why not use them?

Be a wise consumer of health care!

Jenny
 
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