Years ago, there were commercials for Fram oil filters. They featured an auto mechanic who, after diagnosing engine trouble, came to two conclusions: (1) the engine needed to be replaced, and (2) the problem could have been completely avoided with routine maintenance. The ads ended with the mechanic saying, “You can pay me a little now, or … pay me a lot more later.”
Putting off health screenings can have serious consequences. Scripture reminds us that our bodies are not our own to neglect. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 calls our bodies a temple of the Holy Spirit, entrusted to us for a purpose. Caring for that temple is an act of faithfulness.
Preventive care is one of the simplest, most effective tools we have for catching disease early, when it’s most treatable and often before it ever produces a symptom.
A 2025 JAMA Network Open study found that women ages 70 to 79 who had a screening mammogram within five years before a breast cancer diagnosis fared better than those who were not screened: screening resulted in women being 54% less likely to be diagnosed at a later stage and 36% less likely to die from the disease than those who were not screened.
The earlier a condition like breast, colorectal, cervical, or skin cancer is caught, the better the odds of successful treatment. Yet health screening rates across the country remain lower than they should be. According to a CDC article, in 2023, while most adults of screening age were up to date with screening tests, 1 in 3 (colorectal) to 1 in 5 (breast) adults were not.
Not long ago, I lost a close friend with whom I served for years on another ministry’s leadership team. As a military veteran, he had access to health screenings at no personal cost, other than the time it took to complete them. Sadly, he was just too busy and wasn’t diagnosed with colon cancer until it had already spread. Don’t let that be your story. An hour-long screening today can add years to your life.
Health screenings through Virtual Care Solution
The single best way to start the preventive screening process is to first have a primary care doctor in your corner before you ever need a screening. That’s exactly what’s provided by CHM’s Virtual Care Solution, powered by HealthTap as a complement to your in-person PCP. Every CHM member has access to a dedicated primary care physician (PCP) through HealthTap, with same-day or same-week video visits included in your CHM membership.
That relationship matters, because your HealthTap PCP can evaluate your age, family history, and risk factors and refer you for appropriate health screenings—whether that’s a mammogram, a colonoscopy, a skin exam, or bloodwork.
If you haven’t registered for your HealthTap account yet, this month is a good time to do it. Establishing that primary care relationship now means you have a doctor ready to guide you toward the right screenings before a concern ever arises.
Cancer treatment through Cancer Care Solution
Of course, even the most faithful preventive care can’t guarantee you’ll never face a diagnosis. That’s another way CHM works on your behalf. If a screening turns up something serious, CHM’s Cancer Care Solution supports you from diagnosis through treatment with guidance, potential Personal Responsibility savings, and dedicated CHM staff support, including nurse navigators. It’s there so that if the difficult moment ever comes, you’re not walking through it alone.
Small steps
Preventive care isn’t just a medical decision: it’s an act of stewardship. The same way CHM encourages faithful stewardship of our finances; we’re called to be faithful stewards of our health. A skin check, a mammogram, a colonoscopy—these aren’t things to fear or delay. They’re small, manageable steps that allow you to keep serving your family, your church, and your mission field for years to come.
Talk to your HealthTap PCP about which health screenings are right for you at your age and health history and know that CHM Care Solutions are there if you ever need them. Common preventive screenings may include mammograms for breast cancer, colonoscopies or stool-based tests for colorectal cancer, Pap tests for cervical cancer, prostate screenings, routine bloodwork, blood pressure and cholesterol checks, and skin exams to watch for signs of skin cancer. Even simple at-home awareness of skin cancer can be a helpful first step between doctor visits. Download the skin check wheel from our friends at Apex Skin for an at-home reference to help monitor changes and know when it may be time to follow up with a healthcare provider.
Don’t let “later” become “too late.”
Have questions about your CHM Care Solutions or HealthTap? Log in to your Member Portal to learn more or get started today.
