Remember to Make and Keep Your Next Doctor’s Appointment

Regular medical checkups, including a physical examination and mental health assessment, are an important part of maintaining and even improving your overall health.

For members of the 9/11 community, both first responders and survivors, these checkups are vitally important for detecting as early as possible – and successfully treating – the 68 different types of cancer and dozens of respiratory diseases linked to exposure to Ground Zero toxins.

You already know that early detection can save your life. We’re here to tell you that we see it all the time.

After several months when medical offices in the New York City region and across the United States were closed for all but emergency procedures, doctors and nurses are again seeing patients for regular checkups.

Regardless of how you access medical care – whether through the World Trade Center Health Program, Medicare, Medicaid, or private health insurance – remember to schedule a checkup soon. Some common annual checkups are: mammograms, PSA blood tests, and full body skin exams.  Don’t put these off. Doctors fear tens of thousands more breast and skin cancer deaths as a result of people missing their annual exams.

Many millions of lives have been extended or saved by regular checkups. Even serious medical conditions are often responsive to treatment – the earlier, the better.

Make an appointment to see your doctor right away. And importantly, if you learn of any new health conditions, please contact Barasch & McGarry at 212-385-8000. A new condition may increase your award from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.