Sometimes trips to urgent care centers are unavoidable. You get a stomach bug out of nowhere, a broken bone, a sudden rash. According to a report by the Urgent Care Association, urgent care centers received more than 15,000 patient care visits in 2016.

Many diseases and other health problems can be avoided, however, through the utilization of preventative care services. Whether these services include attending routine check-ups or going with a more proactive approach, engaging in regular preventative care measures can be an integral investment in your long-term health. If you still need some extra convincing, below are three key reasons why preventative care is worth it.

1. Preventative care can end up saving you money:

While the prospect of copays, co-insurance, and deductibles can discourage visits to the doctor just to check on things, this can actually be the more financially responsible course of action. Preventative care measures can pay for themselves many times over when compared to the cost of full treatment.

2. Preventative care can make diseases treatable:

Many forms of cancer, if caught early enough, are fully treatable with a high survival rate. Breast cancer, the most common form of cancer that afflicts women in the United States, can be detected very early on with regular screenings. A mammogram can find a tumor as early as two years before it can be physically detected by touch. If detected before any metastasis has occurred, the cancer is highly treatable.

3. Your primary care physician can recommend important lifestyle changes:

According to the CDC, one in every four deaths in the United States is due to heart disease, most commonly coronary heart disease. If your primary care doctor concludes that you are at risk for heart disease, they can provide guidance for a number of changes in habits that will improve heart health. The CDC names a healthy diet and weight, consistent physical activity, and limited tobacco and alcohol use as the primary lifestyle factors which can help reduce the risk of heart disease.

The best Secaucus urgent care centers can be found with Care Station Medical Group. Whether you need urgent care or a routine primary care visit, Care Station Medical Group can help with all your health needs.