Do Preventive Health Screenings Create "Worried Well" in the Asymptomatic Population Causing Unnecessary Doctor Visits and Anxiety Over Test Results?

Orlando, FL (PRWEB) June 04, 2014

One screening company, HealthFair, has recently published new testimonials from real people who are proof of how preventive screenings saved their life. They see a different side to this story of "worried well".

"Worried well" has been defined as people who do not need medical treatment, but who visit the doctor to be reassured. Some have even gone as far to say that these screenings are a scam that raise false alarms, unnecessary doctor visits and anxiety for the "worried well".

HealthFair reports more than 1,000 participants a year are identified as having critical risk through preventive screenings. Beyond that, a large portion of the other participants benefit from early identification of disease that leads to behavior modification. Even if a small percentage of these participants were life-threatening, wouldn’t it be better to be a "worried well" than an "unworried sick"?

Again, real stories from real people tell the true story. Mark Franklin was tested in January 2014 at a HealthFair screening through Mercy Health. This is his story.

“I've undergone a carotid endarterectomy for the 85-99% lesion found in the HealthFair bus.I was completely asymptomatic. If I had not had the testing I might likely have known of the blockage only by having a stroke. It is true that people sometimes have 100% carotid blockage without any vascular deficits.I have strongly urged my friends and associates at the hospital to take advantage of this opportunity. It's safe, quick, inexpensive, convenient, non-invasive, and it might just save your life. Your program really made a difference for me."

Another real story comes from Kim Weinman who was a smoker but in good health and not showing any symptoms of disease.

“I am in my late 50’s and have (had) been a smoker for over 30 years; however, I was in good health; and was not showing any symptoms. My cholesterol levels have always been great; in the 180’s to 190’s; my blood pressure within normal ranges; and I am fairly active. I decided to have the screenings done to assure that I did not have any concerns with my heart or circulation as I am approaching my retirement years. [HealthFair] told me that the scan on my right side indicated a blockage that should not be ignored.

I was able to get an immediate appointment with my family physician, who scheduled an ultrasound to be performed at the hospital the same day. The results of this ultrasound came back with a concerning blockage and I was referred to a cardiovascular surgeon; it was determined that the blockage was greater than 75% and I had a carotid endarterectomy performed.

This screening possibly saved my life – without having any symptoms, I was a prime candidate for a stroke. It is well worth the investment to anyone to have the reassurance that they are heart healthy; or they are given the opportunity to address potential life-threatening conditions before they permanently impact your life."

These are powerful stories and show the value of preventive screenings. Preventive care is an integral component for a long, healthy life. HealthFair currently provides these screenings in cooperation with more than fifty individual hospitals nationwide.

Read all of the newly published and complete testimonials at http://healthfair.com/healthfair-stories/testimonials/.

About HealthFair:

HealthFair’s mission is to save and extend lives through the early detection and prevention of disease. They are the national leader of mobile health screening services providing consumers easy access to affordable, life-saving screenings using 40-foot self-contained mobile health clinics, hospital quality equipment and highly trained health professionals. HealthFair eliminates inconvenience and gives control back to the consumer by providing the right combination of tests at the lowest possible cost.

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