But if they're not done at the physical, the physical is where the doctor asks whether you've been screen/checked for things and when, and then schedules them.
If I didn't go in for an annual physical, I'd never get tested or screened for a single thing. I'd never have blood work done. Because when else do I go to a doctor? How else would I know?
That's what baffles me here. Your annual physical is the launching point for everything preventative. It's the only time you ever see your doctor if you're otherwise healthy. Saying no to annual physicals means saying no to literally all screening, or am I missing something?
If you can find a primary care physician near you and ask for a standard "just checking to make sure everything's good" blood test, they'll probably order you something called a Complete Blood Count panel and maybe another that measures blood glucose. The CBC panel isn't used to diagnose anything particular, it's more of a general snapshot that gives you insight into all kinds of potential issues (or, more likely, tells you everything is fine). Mine always come back saying that I'm a bit anemic, but iron supplements don't agree with me so I just live with it.
Another benefit of semi-regular blood testing (and I'm talking once every year or two) is that it provides a good baseline for what your body is like. Then if you ever start having specific medical issues that warrant more tests, you know what your Healthy Levels are and can compare accordingly. For example, my MCH tends to dip just slightly below normal thanks to the anemia, so I know not to take that as an ill omen in itself. Conversely, I've never had abnormal blood glucose levels, so if that starts wavering I'll know something's up.
If I didn't go in for an annual physical, I'd never get tested or screened for a single thing. I'd never have blood work done. Because when else do I go to a doctor? How else would I know?
That's what baffles me here. Your annual physical is the launching point for everything preventative. It's the only time you ever see your doctor if you're otherwise healthy. Saying no to annual physicals means saying no to literally all screening, or am I missing something?