As we all sit down to draft our New Year’s resolutions, let us be mindful that our health is our greatest asset. As you dream of a prosperous 2026, full of adventure and personal growth, remember that these will be made possible on the foundation of good health. Too often, we take our health for granted and can easily forget there are simple steps we can take to protect and preserve our health for decades.

I recommend you approach your health in a similar manner to wealth management and retirement planning. It’s important to know your goals, assets and any potential liabilities or stumbling blocks at the beginning of your journey. Like a trusted financial advisor, your primary care provider is there to help guide you on this path.

The first step in developing your strategic wellness plan is to consider your starting points: your age and health history. Many screening tests such as mammograms, bone density and colonoscopy, are recommended based on age and personal and family history; when to screen and how often are based on an individual’s unique risk profile.

Thankfully, we have strong evidence and clear guidance on these screening tests as recommended by the U.S. Preventive Task Force. For the vast majority of people, cervical cancer screening begins at age 21 years and breast cancer screening with a mammogram begins at 40 years. We add colon cancer screening at the age of 45 for both men and women,¹ and most screening tests continue until the age of 75.

This is a very simplified list, and I recommend you speak with your health care provider to better understand how the guidelines apply to your unique clinical profile. I also encourage you to educate yourself on the essential preventive measures that impact you and your loved ones. A comprehensive list can be found at www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf.

I would like to draw special attention to colon cancer screening which is a preventable and treatable cancer when detected early. A 2024 report from American Cancer Society, states that colon cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer in men under the age of 50 and second deadliest cancer for women in the same age group.² Thankfully, based on your personal and family history, there are several options available to screen for this type of cancer.

A great way to develop a wellness plan is to meet with your trusted health advisor early in 2026 to determine which lab work and/or screening tests will be beneficial to you. Using this information, you may make a list and then a plan to accomplish these in the new year. Many insurance carriers, including Medicare, encourage their members to see their primary care provider for an Annual Wellness Visit, so you can work collaboratively with your provider to develop a plan.³

Edith Jones-Poland, MD, is an integrative primary care physician and lifestyle coach with Circe Healthcare Solutions. She can be reached at (760) 773.4948. www.circecares.com.

References: 1) https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation-topics/uspstf-a-and-b-recommendations; 2) https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.3322/caac.21820; 3) https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/yearly-wellness-visits