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MARCH 2024
Picture a healthier future with these tips
Imagine your life in 10 years. What will it look like? Will you add on to your home — or to your family? Will you go back to school? And, most importantly, will you be healthy?
Scheduling your annual physical and age-appropriate screenings and vaccines can help you stay well and live a longer life. You can get help finding a doctor at Costcobenefits.com. And remember, your Costco medical plan covers preventive care at 100% when you see an in-network provider.
Looking for more? Find other articles below
Start with screenings
Screenings are tests that check your body for cancer or other diseases before you have symptoms. Getting age-appropriate screenings can help detect these health conditions early when they’re more treatable.
Two important tests to know about are skin cancer screenings and colorectal cancer screenings. Talk to your health care provider to understand which screenings you may need and when you may need them.
Skin cancer screening and prevention
Skin cancer can affect anyone, regardless of skin color. It’s the most common cancer diagnosis among Costco employees. Most types of skin cancer tend to grow slowly and can be removed completely. The deadliest form, melanoma, makes up only about 1% of skin cancers.1
Because many skin cancers are treatable if caught early, it’s important to know your own skin. That starts with learning your skin’s pattern of moles, blemishes, freckles and other marks so you’ll notice any changes. While you may have a skin exam as part of your annual physical, many doctors recommend doing a skin self-exam once a month. See a dermatologist if you observe any of the following:
- Changes in a mole, or a mole that looks different from others
- A red or skin-colored shiny bump
- Scaly patch
- Non-healing sore, or a sore that heals and returns
- Brown or black streak under a nail
There are steps you can take to lower your risk of skin cancer, starting with limiting your exposure to ultraviolet rays. Here are some things to try:
- “Slip, slop, slap” — slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat
- Seek shade whenever possible
- Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps
Colorectal cancer screening and prevention
Most colorectal cancers start as a growth, called a polyp, on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. A colorectal screening can identify polyps and cancers that may otherwise go undetected. The American Cancer Society recommends that people start regular screenings at age 45. However, only 11% of Costco employees over the age of 45 got screened in 2022.
Finding time for this test can be hard, but putting it off can be harmful. There are several tests available to screen for colon cancer, as shown below. See what option may be best for you.
Cologuard stool DNA test
Looks at your stool for signs of cancer or polyps
Frequency
Every 3 years
Benefits
- Can be done at home
- No bowel prep
- Less invasive
Limits
- If test is positive, will still need a colonoscopy
- Lower accuracy than a colonoscopy
Colonoscopy
Looks at the inside of the colon and rectum using a long tube with a small camera on the end
Frequency
Every 10 years
Benefits
- Can examine entire colon
- Can biopsy and remove polyps during procedure
Limits
- Full bowel prep needed
- Sedation is usually needed, requiring missing work
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
Looks at the inside of the rectum and lower third of the colon using a short tube with a small camera on the end
Frequency
Every 5 years
Benefits
- Fairly quick
- Usually doesn’t require full bowel prep or sedation
- Doesn’t require a specialist
Limits
- Colonoscopy required if abnormal test results
- Can miss small polyps/can’t remove all polyps
In addition to getting screened regularly, there are lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer:
- Eat less red and processed meats and more fruits, vegetables and whole grains
- Exercise 150–300 minutes per week (moderate intensity, such as brisk walking or gardening) or 75–150 minutes per week (vigorous intensity, such as running or swimming laps)
- Maintain a healthy weight throughout your adult life
- Quit tobacco and nicotine products, and limit alcoholic drinks to two per day (men) or one per day (women)
Don’t forget your annual physical
Regular checkups are an important part of staying healthy. And remember, they’re no cost to you if you see an in-network provider. These checkups usually include measuring your vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate and respiration) and checking your heart, lungs, abdominal area, nerves and muscles.
These visits may also help identify risk factors for diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Looking at your health history, risk profile and current health status, your doctor can educate and counsel you on what you can do to stay healthy.
1American Cancer Society. Key statistics for melanoma skin cancer.
Sources:
American Cancer Society. What is colorectal cancer?
American Cancer Society. Colorectal cancer screening tests.
American Academy of Dermatology Association. What to expect at a skin cancer screening.
American Cancer Society. Can basal and squamous cell skin cancers be prevented?
Protect your health today and tomorrow. The following resources can help.
