Preparation is not a matter of age is the rephrased statement.

Revised Article:

Health Screening, Skin Cancer Prevention, Testicular Exams – Healthcare for the Young and Savvy

The world of healthcare can be quite diverse, and it's essential for people under 35 to understand the importance of preventive measures and early detection. So, how much health precautions and early screening is particularly relevant for this age group?

Regardless of whether it's general medicine, dentistry, gynecology, or urology – preventive healthcare can often lead to early diagnoses. Early detection significantly increases the chances of recovery, considering that the healing potential grows with earlier detection of illnesses. Even detected risk factors or precursors can often prevent diseases from developing. For instance, precursors to cervical or oral cancer can take years to evolve and initially may appear as harmless cell changes.

Even so, standard health checkups aren't extremely popular. A survey in 2023 revealed that only 7% of 14- to 29-year-olds undergo regular health checkups. Other practices like physical activity, nutrition, or vaccinations are far more widespread.

Health Screening Isn't Always Early Detection

Healthcare prevention is active. It involves taking actions to avoid a disease from occurring. Sunscreen usage in the summer is one example of preventive care to protect against skin cancer. Apart from medical checkups, vaccinations, or self-examinations, preventive measures include healthy habits like avoiding smoking, maintaining a balanced diet, and limiting alcohol intake.

Early detection, however, means identifying diseases as soon as possible to enable timely treatment. There is no preventive care for cancer – apart from, of course, avoiding high-risk factors like smoking, unhealthy diet, and excessive alcohol consumption. While detection doesn't guarantee prevention of cancer, it can help mitigate severe outcomes or make treatment more effective.

Preventive Healthcare Under 35

For young adults, there is a free health check-up between ages 18 and 35 at the primary care practitioner. This opportunity is available to both genders once before their 35th birthday. Afterward, the exam is possible every three years.

The health check-up comprises:

Medical History Review, inquiries about symptoms, including any potential risk factors (e.g., smoking, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, etc.), review of the vaccine record
Physical Examination (Full-Body Exam), including measurement of blood pressure
Lab Test, if deemed necessary, based on risk factors: Lipid profile (e.g., cholesterol), Glucose
Consultation on the exam results and personal risk factors

Dr. Jana Husemann, Allgemeinmedizinerin and the first chair of the Hamburg House Physicians Association, deems the health check-up essential: "We focus more on healthcare examination, treating every individual as unique rather than like a machine in a diagnostic process. The examination is beneficial for the patient to become familiar with the primary care practitioner. Given that we're limited in terms of time in primary care, it's wonderful to have that little extra time to discuss health-related matters with patients."

Preventive healthcare, primarily, is achievable through maintaining a healthy lifestyle. "Individuals should visit the primary care practitioner if they have any concerns regarding their physical or mental health," Husemann states.

Dental Preventive Care

Regular dental exams help maintain oral health well into old age. During these check-ups, the dentist or dentist examines teeth, gums, and the mouth for diseases such as cavities, gum disease (periodontitis), or tooth misalignments. For example, removing dental plaque, which can cause infections, can be done during exams. To detect gum disease, a gum probe is used to determine the Periodontal Screening Index (PSI). If necessary, an X-ray is taken to clearly visualize cavities or jaw problems. The examination takes place in a painless manner and protects long-term oral health. Examinations are possible twice a year.

Preventive Care for Young Women

Specific preventive care varies by specialized medical professionals. For women, gynecological exams are necessary.

Prof. Dr. Gerhard Gebauer, Chief Gynecologist at the Asklepios Clinic Barmbek, says: "The primary goal of preventive care for young women is cancer prevention. It's truly about prevention, not early detection. Given the nature of cervical cancer, our focus is on preventing its occurrence. Prevention of HPV infection through vaccination is an excellent example."

HPV-Related Cancers (Cervical cancer) are among the cancer types that can be prevented through HPV vaccination and regular screening. High-risk HPV infection is most prevalent among young women under 30 years old. "The importance lies in both parties being aware of transmission, so it's important not just for young women to get vaccinated but also for young men," Gebauer remarks.

In addition, there is a yearly free Chlamydia test for females under 25. Chlamydia Trachomatis, often known as Chlamydia, is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection worldwide. It can lead to unintended pregnancies, pregnancy complications, and infections in newborns.

For females under 35, the following preventive options are available:

from age 20: yearly genital exam (Pap smear) for early detection of cancerous changes at gynecological clinics
from ages 20 to 34: cervical cancer screening
up to age 25: yearly Chlamydia test at gynecological clinics
from age 30: yearly breast and skin examination at gynecological clinics, with introduction to breast self-examination

Preventive Care for Young Men

Testicular cancer is the most common type of cancer in young men. In Germany alone, there are approximately 4,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Particularly vulnerable are men between 25 and 45 years old, as there is no mandatory early detection screening for this age group. Therefore, it's even more crucial for young men to practice regular self-examinations and engage actively in preventive care.

Urologists recommend young men and males between 14 and 45 years old to self-examine their testicles once a month. The ideal time for this is under a warm shower or after a warm bath while standing. This allows the skin of the scrotum to relax, making the testicles easy to feel.

Additional Preventive Measures

"An ideal 'prevention,' meaning an attempt to avoid acquiring any diseases, is best achieved through maintaining a healthy lifestyle and practicing safe relationships," Husemann explains. Safe sex practices, such as using condoms, are essential ways to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

A survey on our Instagram channel revealed that regular exercise, healthy diet, moderate alcohol intake, spending time with friends, walking, nutritional supplements, adequate sleep, yoga, and stress management were the personal preventive measures persons mentioned.

Authors

Antonia Luca Fiedler, born 1999 in Winsen an der Luhe, transforms anything in the refrigerator into a delicious dish. After learning graphic design at Bauer Verlag, she worked in radio and television: She applied margarine for a test on ZDF Berlin, hosted for Hitradio Namibia, and recorded O-Tone for Rock Antenne Hamburg. For Antonia, the motto is: Make it happen – even when it comes to youth work at the shooting range or in the One World Store. Studied Media Economics and Journalism in Wilhelmshaven. Nickname: alf

[1] Linked Resource[2] Linked Resource[3] Linked Resource

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