Regular medical consultations permit the evaluation of environmental and genetic factors, as well as those related to the patient´s life style. Moreover, such visits can contribute to maintaining the health balance of the patient in its broader concept defined by the bio-psycho-social model. For many years the practice of Preventive Medicine was thought to be restricted to family medical professionals and to their efforts in reducing the impact of diseases on the community. The modern concept of Preventive Medicine is much wider and can be stratified into different levels. The Urologist, although specialized in the treatment of geniturinary disorders, should also take into account his/her responsibility on this important issue.

Primary Level

The Primary Level refers to the elimination of agents which commonly cause illness or to the induction of resistence against them. Some examples are immunization with vaccines, the recommendation of a healthy diet, practising physical exercises and quitting smoking.

Secondary Level

This level refers to the early detection and treatment of diseases even before they start causing symptoms. Prostate cancer screening is one of the most representative examples of Secondary Level measures.

Tertiary Level

This level encompasses the therapeutic measures applied to symptomatic diseases and also the reabilitation measures afterwards. As examples, the treatment of patients experiencing the pain of a renal colic or the urinary symptons due to an enlarged prostate can be characterized as Tertiary Level actions.

Fourth level

This level refers to the judicious use of the available therapeutic and diagnostic tools, thus avoiding unnecessary waste and risks to health. Regular visits to the Urologist contribute to these goals, enabling him/her to understand the patient´s underlying concerns, medical conditions, and life story.