Prevent to Live Well: Two Men, Two Stories that Reinforce the Value of Self-Care

Health care has always been part of the daily lives of Felipe Veloso and Cristiano Verardo, members of Horiens and Vexty respectively. Sports enthusiasts, they always found time to train even amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But the love for physical activities is not the only common point between them. Both, each with their own story, know well the importance of preventive exams. It was during routine medical consultations that they discovered serious health problems and had the chance to act to avoid major complications. Felipe and Cristiano are living examples of how self-care can be decisive in ensuring long-term well-being.

When the Unexpected Happens

Felipe Veloso was only 18 years old when he started having annual exams to monitor his heart health. Born into a family with a history of heart disease, he soon realized the importance of taking care of his own health. In the 20 years that followed, he performed his preventive exams every year, except between 2020 and 2022, a period marked by the Covid-19 pandemic. When he resumed them in 2023, he discovered an aortic aneurysm, a serious condition that required surgery. “My three years without preventive exams almost cost me my life,” he says.

After undergoing delicate surgery, Felipe faced complications that took him back to the operating table in less than 24 hours. Despite the unforeseen events and the four days he spent in the ICU, his good physical condition helped him recover quickly. “The first days were very difficult. After going through two consecutive interventions and being intubated, walking from the bed to the chair next to it felt like a marathon. I imagine how it would be if this had happened to a person without good physical condition. They would certainly have a slower recovery,” he reflects. “Even doing everything right, sometimes the unexpected

happens. What we can do is be prepared to face it in the best possible way. Life is very fragile and we have to take care of it every day,” he adds.

Cristiano Verardo, on the other hand, has always been a man of planning and prevention. His career at Vexty, in the pension segment, reflects his life philosophy: “I am about preventing, managing risks, not taking unnecessary risks,” he says. This vision was also present in his health care throughout his life, but in 2019, Cristiano had a scare.

During a routine consultation with the cardiologist, recommended by a friend, he discovered that his coronary arteries were severely clogged. Without any apparent symptoms, he learned that he was on the verge of a heart attack. “The doctor said I needed immediate surgery. It was a scare, but the decision to have regular exams saved my life,” he says.

Blue November and Men’s Health Care

The stories of Felipe and Cristiano reinforce the main warning of Blue November, a campaign that emerged to raise awareness among men about the importance of preventive exams, especially for prostate cancer. Created in 2003 in Australia, the campaign has been gaining ground and today is a global movement, alerting to the second most common type of cancer affecting men in Brazil.

Although prostate cancer is highly treatable when detected early, many men still resist exams, either out of prejudice or fear. Simple exams, such as PSA (prostate-specific antigen) and digital rectal exam, can identify changes in the prostate and save lives.

But cultural barriers and stigma around these exams still keep many men away from doctors’ offices. Felipe and Cristiano, with their stories, are proof that putting health first can make all the difference. “It’s an expensive bet to ignore your own health, and you can’t bet with your life. Not doing preventive exams, whether out of prejudice or lack of time, can cost a lot. Life is the most valuable asset we have. If you lose your life, you lose everything,” warns Felipe.

Cristiano also highlights the importance of not being swayed by prejudices or fears when it comes to health. After a lecture on Blue November in 2022, he sought out a urologist and discovered small problems that, if not treated in time, could worsen. “If you don’t want to take care of yourself for yourself, do it for your family,” he advises. For him, health care goes beyond an individual gesture: it is a responsibility to those we love.

Take the Opportunity to Take Care of Yourself Now

Haven’t had your preventive exams in 2024 yet? During the month of November, you can have several exams through your health plan without co-payment costs. Click here to see the complete list of exams with co-payment fee exemption if your plan is Bradesco, or click here if your plan is Sulamérica.