Jump to content

  • Set Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
Set Your LocationSet Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Health and Wellness
  • Disease Prevention
Content

Disease Prevention

Your health isn’t simply a matter of fate. Discover proactive, effective ways to stay healthy, prevent disease and live longer.

Health Maintenance Guidelines

Find out when checkups, screenings and immunizations are generally recommended.

Understand Your Cancer Risk

Forty percent of Americans develop cancer during their lifetimes. Take steps to assess your risk and prevent the disease. 

Boost Your Immune System

Discover the dietary and lifestyle choices that can boost your immune system and keep you going strong.

Can Probiotics Improve Your Health?

Bacteria can be good! Learn how probiotics and prebiotics improve your digestive health and help you fight infection.

    Disease Prevention Topics

    • Disease Risk Reduction
    • Screenings and Prevention

    Ask an Expert

    Caroline Schreiber

    Caroline Schreiber, M.D.

    Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus

    My mother, who is 91, had a mastectomy 30 years ago. Luckily, she is still in good health today. Is it okay for her to get a shingles shot now? It's hard to tell whether her immune system is weak or not.

    Herpes zoster, better known as shingles, is a debilitating rash and has the potential to cause chronic pain (post-herpetic neuralgia). The vaccine has proven to decrease the risk of getting shingles and of havi... continue reading  about  My mother, who is 91, had a mastectomy 30 years ago. Luckily, she is still in good health today. Is it okay for her to get a shingles shot now? It's hard to tell whether her immune system is weak or not.

    Francine A. Yep

    Francine A. Yep, M.D.

    Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus

    At what age should I have a pneumonia vaccination? Thank you!

    The pneumonia vaccine helps protect you from S. pneumoniae, a bacterial germ that causes serious lung infections like pneumonia as well as blood infections and meningitis. It protects you from the most common t... continue reading  about  At what age should I have a pneumonia vaccination? Thank you!

    Toni J. Brayer

    Toni J. Brayer, M.D.

    Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

    I am a woman (59) and I have been hearing that one out of three people get shingles. I was wondering if I should get a vaccination. Am I insured for this, if not, how much does this shot cost?

    The medical name for "shingles" is varicella zoster. It comes from the chickenpox virus that can lay dormant for years after exposure. As we get older it is more likely the virus will reappear and cause a painf... continue reading  about  I am a woman (59) and I have been hearing that one out of three people get shingles. I was wondering if I should get a vaccination. Am I insured for this, if not, how much does this shot cost?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    I've heard urinary tract infections (UTIs) are getting harder to treat. Why is this and who's at risk of developing one?

    Urinary tract infections are one of the most common infections doctors treat. More than half of women living in the United States will get a UTI at some point in their lives. Urinary tract infections are caused... continue reading  about  I've heard urinary tract infections (UTIs) are getting harder to treat. Why is this and who's at risk of developing one?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    Is hearing loss inevitable as we age? Is there anything we can do to prevent it?

    Hearing loss is not always inevitable for everyone. There are many factors that contribute to hearing loss and aging. The most common is noise exposure over many years. Noise exposure can be as slight as workin... continue reading  about  Is hearing loss inevitable as we age? Is there anything we can do to prevent it?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    Breast cancer runs in my family (mother). Should I get a mammogram earlier than 40?

    This is a complicated question and involves both assessment of your actual risk, then consideration of how that should inform your screening process. Consult with your doctor to calculate your actual risk, base... continue reading  about  Breast cancer runs in my family (mother). Should I get a mammogram earlier than 40?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    I take ibuprofen daily for back problems, but I read recently that sometimes it can cause hearing loss. Is this true, and how much would you need to take to cause this to happen?

    I read several studies that seem to link increased risk of hearing loss to use of NSAIDS (ibuprofen is an NSAID). It is important to understand that there is an increase RISK of hearing loss in both women and m... continue reading  about  I take ibuprofen daily for back problems, but I read recently that sometimes it can cause hearing loss. Is this true, and how much would you need to take to cause this to happen?

    Jane Varner

    Jane Varner, M.D.

    Palo Alto Medical Foundation

    I am experiencing bleeding when I floss or brush my teeth. I recently switched to an electric toothbrush. What can I do to prevent the bleeding?

    I'm glad that you asked. Gum bleeding after brushing or flossing is a common concern. Gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, is the most common cause of bleeding gums. Other symptoms of gingivitis may include... continue reading  about  I am experiencing bleeding when I floss or brush my teeth. I recently switched to an electric toothbrush. What can I do to prevent the bleeding?

    Arfan Din

    Arfan Din, D.O.

    Sutter Medical Foundation

    What kind of health precautions should be taken before traveling to South East Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam)?

    Travel advice comes up often for us in primary care medicine. Health issues can arise in many places that are very different from what we face in the USA. My advice:See your primary care doctor as they are well... continue reading  about  What kind of health precautions should be taken before traveling to South East Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam)?

    The Sutter Health Network of Care
    Expertise to fit your needs
    Primary Care

    Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

    Specialty Care

    Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

    Emergency Care

    For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

    Urgent Care

    After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

    Walk-In Care

    Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

    • Contact Us
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Request Medical Records
    • Make a Gift
    Sign in to My Health Online

    Billing and Insurance

    • Pay a Bill
    • Accepted Health Plans
    • Estimate Costs
    • Medicare Advantage

    About Sutter

    • About Our Network
    • Community Benefit
    • Annual Report
    • News

    Our Team

    • For Employees
    • For Medical Professionals
    • For Vendors
    • For Volunteers

    Careers

    • Jobs at Sutter
    • Physician Jobs
    • Graduate Medical Education

    Copyright © 2023 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

    • ADA Accessibility
    • Privacy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
    • LinkedIn Opens new window
    • YouTube Opens new window
    • Facebook Opens new window
    • Twitter Opens new window
    • Instagram Opens new window
    • Glassdoor Opens new window

    Cookie Policy

    We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

    Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences