Longevity, healthspan, and lifespan have become buzzwords in the health and wellness space—and for good reason. We all want to live long, healthy lives and enjoy meaningful moments, like playing with our grandkids in our golden years.

But how can we extend lifespan and healthspan beyond staying fit and eating well? The fundamentals are clear: avoid smoking, control blood pressure, treat dyslipidemia, and make smart lifestyle choices. These “big ticket” items lay a strong foundation.

The next layer of health optimization is where personalized medicine truly shines. Gathering a comprehensive medical history is critical, yet this often isn’t feasible in a traditional fee-for-service model. In contrast, a concierge model allows for in-depth conversations and time to focus on prevention.

Let me share an example highlighting the importance of personalized, attentive care. A patient in their forties came to me with lower abdominal pain, suspecting a hernia. In many primary care settings, skipping a thorough history is common due to time constraints. But I had the time, thanks to a medical director who gave me the luxury of longer appointments.

During our conversation, the patient denied any significant medical or surgical history. However, when asked about family history, they mentioned that both a parent and a sibling had been diagnosed with colon cancer.

I then asked:

• “Have you had a colonoscopy?” The answer was yes.
• “Was it normal?” Yes, it was.
• “When was your last colonoscopy?” About 20 years ago.

This raised concerns to say the least. Lynch syndrome – the most common heritable form of colon cancer became a leading concern. We discussed the need for a colonoscopy and the possibility of a positive finding, including what next steps would look like. I referred the patient for both a colonoscopy and an ultrasound to assess the possible hernia. The ultrasound revealed a need for further investigation, and a non-contrast CT scan showed a full-thickness malignancy in the large bowel, with locally enlarged lymph nodes.

This patient had been navigating the healthcare system for two decades without receiving thoughtful, patient-centered care Without continuity of care with a thoughtful provider, the patient received years of one-off appointments focused on his chief complaints and nothing more. His doctors were not seeing the bigger picture that could affect his longevity.

Stories like this are far too familiar. The question is: why was I the first to catch this despite years of opportunity? The answer isn’t complicated. It’s about taking the time to get to know your patient and doing the basics. This is personalized medicine in its purest form.