Wellness ►
The Power of
Prevention
Start at Any Age!
by Tara Wolf, contributing writer
Regular health screenings matter for everyone! Good health doesn’ t happen by accident. It is built through awareness, action, and prevention. No matter your age, gender, or lifestyle, getting regular health screenings is one of the most powerful ways to protect your body and mind. We are in control of our bodies, not the healthcare professionals. Early tests and scans should start in our 20s, not in our 40s. We must advocate for ourselves. Asking for scans and tests while we are healthy is not crazy, but waiting till we can’ t ignore symptoms anymore is just plain dumb and sometimes too late. Early detection saves lives every single day, and here in Missouri, there are many affordable( and even free) options to help you stay ahead of potential problems.
Why Screenings Matter
Many health issues begin quietly, showing no symptoms until they’ re already advanced. Find the small problems before they become big ones! For example, teeth: Dental insurance and dental schools offer preventative care for everyone. Teeth are a BIG deal. They are living bones that aid in grinding up food and minerals your body needs to survive. And it’ s usually one of the top things we neglect. Teeth are extremely important to keep checked and cleaned! BTW— your mouth contains 700-1000 different species of bacteria, and at any given moment, there are billions of individual bacteria living in your teeth, gums, tongue, and cheeks! YUCK! This can lead to plaque buildup, cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Have your teeth cleaned and checked every six months.
Preventative care is critical because conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance can start in your twenties or thirties. Catching these early gives you time to make lifestyle changes or begin treatment before permanent damage occurs. Prevention doesn’ t just add years to your life— it adds life to your years!
Key Screenings for Every Adult
Please Note: The following are only a few options that provide healthcare screening or testing services. Check with you doctor and do your research to discover the best options for your healthcare needs.
1. Mammograms and Ultrasound( for women) Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women, but it’ s highly treatable when caught early. The American Cancer Society( ACS) recommends women begin annual or biennial mammograms between the ages of 40 and 45, though some women should start sooner. Ultrasounds are less painful, have no radiation, and evaluate lumps or abnormalities.
● Missouri Baptist Medical Center( St. Louis) offers $ 99 screening mammograms.
● Siteman Cancer Center Mobile Mammography Van travels throughout Missouri, providing low-cost and free screenings.
● Show Me Healthy Women Program provides free mammograms and Pap tests for women who meet income guidelines.
● Samual U. Rogers Health Center, with locations around the Kansas City area, offers health screenings and mammograms for free or on a sliding scale.
2. Colonoscopy( for men and women) Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths, but it’ s nearly 100 % preventable with regular screenings. Polyps— small growths in the colon— can be removed before they become cancerous. The ACS recommends screening start at age 45; the earlier the better.
● Saint Luke’ s Health System offers low-cost colon screenings for uninsured or underinsured Missourians.
● The Colon Cancer Foundation sometimes sponsors free or reduced-cost colonoscopy events.
3. Heart Health Screenings Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U. S. It is also one of the most preventable. Regular checks for blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels can reveal risk early.
● Truman Medical Centers( Kansas City) and Barnes-Jewish Hospital( St. Louis) offer low-cost community wellness screenings.
● CVS Minute Clinic and Walgreens Healthcare Clinic provide affordable heart health checks without appointments.
26 November 2025