Address Healthcare Needs Now for a Fresh Start in the New Year
10/10/2025
POPLAR BLUFF, MO – Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center recently wrapped up its “Enjoy the Ride: Navigating a Longer, Healthier Life” email campaign, which included the importance of prevention and addressing other medical needs for overall health and longevity. If you’re one of the millions of Americans who procrastinate when it comes to preventive health screenings and elective medical procedures, now is the time to get it scheduled and checked off the list before the end of the year.
From colon cancer screenings to joint replacements, scheduling procedures during the remainder of 2025 may also help maximize insurance benefits for patients who have met their health plan deductible. However, the real benefit is taking care of your health.
“If a health screening is recommended, it is typically because early detection of a disease or condition can prevent more serious health issues,” said primary care provider Aaron Aden, FNP, with Poplar Bluff Medical Clinic. “With certain elective procedures like joint replacement or hernia repair, delay can mean more pain or a more complicated procedure and recovery. Physically and mentally, we all feel better when we make our health a priority.”
Preventive screenings to schedule by the end of the year include:
- Wellness visit – An annual appointment with a primary care physician is a key component of preventive health. These visits will likely include discussions about overall health, any health concerns or issues and health history. The physician will check your blood pressure and heart rate and may also recommend blood tests to check cholesterol, blood sugar or other conditions.
- Mammogram – The American College of Radiology recommends annual mammograms for women of average risk starting at age 40. Different guidelines apply to women at higher risk, including African American women and those of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and women with a family history of breast cancer.
- Colonoscopy – The CDC recommends colon cancer screening for adults of average risk starting at age 45 and continuing at regular intervals based on physician guidance. Colorectal cancer almost always develops from precancerous polyps which can be found and removed during a screening colonoscopy. A colonoscopy should be repeated every 10 years for those who do not have an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
In addition to preventive health screenings, many adults often put off surgical procedures that could significantly improve their quality of life and overall health such as joint replacements. According to Preston Jones, M.D., orthopedic surgeon at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, moving forward with any surgery is a significant decision, but it is often the first step toward improved health.
“We see patients every day whose daily lives are compromised because they’re in pain or their mobility is limited,” said Dr. Jones. “The most common orthopedic surgeries, such as knee, hip and shoulder replacements, are especially important for a healthier lifestyle because they restore the patient’s ability to be active. Because the joint may further deteriorate over time, patients who need a joint replacement should get it done sooner rather than later to alleviate pain and optimize recovery.”
Dr. Jones added that physical therapy after a joint replacement will help patients regain strength and mobility and ease into appropriate levels of activity throughout the recovery process.
Whether you’re ready to schedule an elective procedure or just want to take care of annual screenings and visits, the patient access team at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center can help you understand your insurance coverage and what you can expect to pay for care. To talk with someone on the patient access team, call 573-776-2000.
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