It’s Never Too Early for Women to Focus on Preventive Care

When young women age out of pediatric visits, many are uncertain what to do next. At MinuteClinic, we’re providing women of all ages a place to turn to for primary, wellness and reproductive health care.?

Our clinics are committed to providing women with the preventive care they need to stay healthy and avoid chronic diseases, cancer and other serious ailments. For me, this commitment isn’t just professional. Women in my own family have received serious medical diagnoses that could have been avoided or mitigated with earlier detection.?

We know that for many conditions, the earlier the diagnosis, the better. That’s because we have effective treatments that work best during early stages of the illness. Certain types of breast and colon cancer, for example, are highly curable if caught early enough. I strongly believe in the power of and need for increased access to preventive care.?

The science is clear: Preventive care keeps women healthy and saves lives . And it’s never too soon to start seeing a provider regularly and learning how to conduct simple self-checks such as breast and skin examinations, so you can stay on top of your health in-between your visits. That’s why we make it possible for women of all ages to easily schedule and afford appointments with providers at their local MinuteClinic.?

With us, women can find the care they need to either avoid or manage the health issues that are most likely to affect their lives. This includes:?

Gynecologic health: Many women — particularly young women — don’t have a gynecologist or don’t have the means to see one. MinuteClinic makes sure that these women can still maintain their gynecologic health. Women can come to us for pelvic exams, yeast infections, STIs and other issues and know they will receive expert and compassionate care.?

Reproductive health: From administering pregnancy tests to offering hormonal contraceptive counseling and prescriptions, to providing premenstrual and menopause treatment, MinuteClinic providers ensure women have the high-quality care and confidential guidance they need and deserve.?

Heart health: Heart disease is the leading cause of death for U.S. women. Fortunately, most heart disease is preventable with lifestyle change, proper monitoring and early detection. At MinuteClinic, we follow women’s heart health closely and help them manage blood pressure, cholesterol and other factors that, if left untreated, can lead to heart disease.?

Cancer: Cancer is the second leading cause of death for U.S. women. In addition to screening for cervical and colorectal cancer and referrals for mammograms, MinuteClinic providers can assist with early detection of other cancers and help women monitor and adjust their risk factors. Patients will learn how to perform simple self-checks at home and be advised on what should prompt them to schedule an appointment for a more in-depth evaluation. The sooner cancer is detected, the more likely it can be treated successfully .??

Diabetes: More than 16 million U.S. women have diabetes , with the majority suffering from type 2 diabetes. The good news is, most women can avoid type 2 diabetes through lifestyle choices and/or early detection — and MinuteClinic is here to help. Our providers help women lower their risk factors while monitoring blood tests and identifying any changes that can indicate pre-diabetes. Catching diabetes before it becomes a serious issue can allow women to limit long-term complications and even lower their blood sugar back into a healthy range.?

While these health issues are some of the most common ones women face, we also help them avoid and address other health challenges that might not be frequently discussed. For instance, menstruation is a normal bodily function. However, women still face mental and behavioral stigmas that may cause them to feel ashamed about their periods. On top of that, 64% of low-income women have struggled with affording and accessing menstrual products, known as period poverty. And while a widespread issue, it is often overlooked or dismissed.?

At CVS Health, we’re focused on supporting women’s health and addressing period poverty by: enacting more equitable pricing of period products, as well as women's and men's health care products; paying the "menstrual tax" on period products in states that will allow it; and expanding MinuteClinic’s services to support the holistic health of women everywhere. We encourage young women to come to see us for preventive care, and we do all we can to help ensure they stay healthy at every stage of their lives.?

MinuteClinic’s convenient 1,100+ locations in 35 states and Washington, D.C., accessible virtual care options and affordability make it easy for women of all ages to see a provider regularly. This is exactly the type of community-based preventive care that can improve and extend women’s lives.?

Women’s health is deeply important to MinuteClinic and to CVS Health. And, it’s deeply important to me personally. If you would like to learn more about the services we provide, visit us online .?