The Kids Are Back in School — Now It’s Time to Take Care of YOU
- Sierra Winter Smith
- 3 days ago
- 3 min leer
Why Preventive Health Screenings Could Change Everything
When we talk about preventive healthcare, it often feels like an abstract concept — something you “should do” but can put off until next year. The truth is, it’s not just about catching a problem early. It’s about protecting the years ahead — your years with your kids, your spouse, your friends, your community,
And I know firsthand how different life can look when those checkups don’t happen.
A Six-Year Fight for More Time
My dad didn’t like going to the doctor. He was strong, tough, independent — the kind of man who believed in “pushing through” whatever life threw at him. So he skipped annual checkups. He brushed off symptoms. He told himself he was fine.
By the time we finally convinced him to go in, the news was devastating: cancer had already spread so far through his body that there was no cure. The doctors gave him six years. And he lived exactly six years.
I am grateful for that time — more grateful than words can express. But those six years weren’t easy years. They weren’t filled with fishing trips, family vacations, and laughter around the dinner table. They were years spent fighting for more time, knowing deep down that “more” wasn’t in his cards.
We spent those years in and out of specialists’ offices, hospitals, surgeries, and endless treatment plans. I stayed strong for him, trying to show him hope, courage, and strength until his last moments. There were days the pain was so unbearable for him that he told me he was ready to go, even though I could see he wasn’t truly ready.
Cancer is an ugly part of life. And I’ll be honest — I’m still angry with him for not checking in on himself earlier. What could have been a short bout of chemo and a simple surgery turned into six years of endless pain for us both. Six years of “what if.”
Men’s Preventive Health — What You Need to Know
Men are statistically less likely than women to schedule regular checkups — and it’s costing lives.
The facts:
Men are 24% less likely than women to visit a doctor annually.
1 in 2 men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
Heart disease is the #1 cause of death for men in the United States.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men — but it’s highly preventable with regular screening.
A preventive men’s health appointment can include:
Blood pressure & cholesterol checks
Diabetes screening
Prostate cancer screening
Colorectal cancer screening
Skin cancer checks
Immunizations & boosters
Mental health check-ins
These aren’t just “tests.” They’re opportunities to find — and fix — problems before they cost you years with the people you love.
Women’s Preventive Health — What You Need to Know
Women are often the caregivers in their families. They make sure kids get to the dentist, spouses get to the doctor, and parents get the help they need. But in the process, their own health gets pushed to the bottom of the list.
The facts:
Heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined.
Early detection of breast cancer increases survival rates to 99%.
Women are more likely than men to delay care due to family responsibilities.
Osteoporosis affects 1 in 3 women over the age of 50, yet many go undiagnosed until a fracture occurs.
A preventive women’s health appointment can include:
Pap smears & cervical cancer screening
Breast cancer screening (mammogram or clinical exam)
Heart health checks
Diabetes screening
Osteoporosis screening
Skin cancer checks
Immunizations & boosters
Mental health check-ins
Taking time for your own health isn’t selfish — it’s essential.
September Health Incentive — All Month Long
This September, Sunshine Community Health Center is encouraging both men and women to put themselves first by scheduling a preventive health appointment.
To make it a little easier — and a little more rewarding — we’re offering:
First 10 men to complete a preventive appointment: Grill Master Apron
First 10 women to complete a preventive appointment: Stylish Purse
Appointments are available at both clinic locations all month long, but spaces are filling up quickly.
Don’t Wait — Your Family Needs You Here
If my dad had gone to the doctor sooner, maybe things would have been different. Maybe we could have caught the cancer when it was treatable. Maybe those six years could have been twenty.
I can’t change my dad’s story — but you can change yours. Make the call. Book the appointment. Do it for yourself, and do it for the people who love you.
📅 September 1–30, 2025 📍 Sunshine Community Health Center – Both Locations 📞 907-376-2273 | 🌐 sunshineclinic.org
Sierra Winter Smith Community Relations Manager
Centro Comunitario de Salud Sunshine
1-907-376-2273 (ATENCIÓN)
*This article was written with the support of AI*
