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VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York - VISN 2
Preventive health means taking certain steps to help avoid illness. To ensure you stay as healthy as possible, your VA primary care team wants to work closely with you.
That's why we have prepared this guide that outlines common strategies to prevent disease — or at the very least detect it at an early, treatable stage. If you have questions about any of these guidelines, feel free to speak with your VA primary care provider or another member of your primary care team.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is leading the way in preventing disease — instead of reacting to it. Please help us by being an informed patient and knowing which prevention activities are best for you.
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Influenza Immunization (Flu Shot)
Annual flu shots are recommended for anyone age 50 and older or anyone who has a chronic medical condition (such as diabetes, asthma or heart disease). Flu shots are
generally given during September through January
and provide short-term protection for the upcoming
flu season. Please contact your VA primary
care team if you have questions about if and when
you should get a flu shot.
Pneumonia Vaccine
The pneumonia vaccine is recommended for anyone 65 years old and older or anyone with a chronic medical condition. This shot can be given anytime during the year and provides at least five to six years of protection against the most common causes of pneumonia. Some patients at highest risk for pneumonia may need a booster shot after several years.
Prostate Cancer Screening
The VA currently
recommends that men between ages 50 and 69
be educated on prostate cancer screening. There
are different screening methods, including a blood
test or a rectal exam. Each has its own good and
bad points that your VA primary care provider
can explain before choosing what is right for you.
Nursing staff in VA primary care clinics are also
available to help inform you about the various
testing methods.
Breast Cancer Screening
Breast cancer is the most
common cancer diagnosed in women, except for
nonmelanoma skin cancer. This VA Network recommends
women over 40 follow the American Cancer
Society guidelines for breast cancer screening. This includes monthly breast self-exams starting at
age 20 and a mammogram every year starting
at age 40. If your last mammogram was more
than one year ago or you need help learning
how to do breast self-exams, please speak to
your primary care provider.
Cervical Cancer Screening
It is recommended
that women follow the American Cancer
Society guidelines, which include a pelvic
exam and a Pap smear annually for all women
over 18 years of age or those who are sexually
active. This may be done by your VA primary
care provider or designated women’s health
providers at some of the medical centers.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
A regular
screening test for colorectal cancer is recommended
for anyone over 50 years old. Several
types of screenings are available—these can
be explained by your primary care provider
to see which is right for you. The most common
test checks for blood in the stool. This
can be easily done by placing small stool
samples on a card from three separate bowel
movements and mailing them in annually. In
another test, your doctor may insert a small
scope into your colon to look directly for
anything unusual.
Hepatitis C Risk Screening
Hepatitis C is a
major public health problem. Many who have been infected are unaware they were exposed.
A quick and easy screening for hepatitis C risk
factors is recommended for all patients. This
consists of a short form with 12 questions
about your history and activities that may
place you at higher risk for the disease. If you
have any “yes” answers, your provider will discuss
the results with you and help you decide
whether you should have further testing. If
you have never had this screening, please
mention it to your nurse at your next visit.
Tobacco, Alcohol And Depression Screenings
These screenings are done
yearly by your VA primary care staff to
help identify any issues that might require
treatment or counseling. If you want help
in quitting tobacco or alcohol use, the VA
has a trained staff of professionals ready to
assist you. As for depression, a variety of
effective treatments is available.
Cholesterol Screening
VA recommends a cholesterol blood test every year. If you do not know when your last cholesterol screening took place, please speak to your primary care provider at your next visit.
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| Reviewed/Updated Date: July 18, 2007 |
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