Stop Outsourcing Your Health: No One Cares More Than You Do

I've always been interested in health, biomarkers, and understanding how my body works. What are the hidden levers I need to pull to keep this aging machine from rattling apart? Why do I wake up tired even after a solid eight hours? For years, these questions sat quietly at the back of my mind until I began answering them myself.

While living in Hong Kong and Singapore, I became something of a medical tourist. I discovered that Bangkok offered better, cheaper, and more customizable health checks than the clinics I had access to locally. You could tailor your check-up, tack on dozens of optional tests, and still walk away paying less than in Singapore or Hong Kong. It felt oddly liberating and a bit like hacking the system.

Some friends think I’m obsessive. I keep a spreadsheet with blood work and test results going back to 2008. But I don’t understand why taking your health seriously is seen as odd. You only have one body. Isn’t neglecting it far more irrational? Especially if others depend on you?

Here’s why I believe we must stop outsourcing our health and start becoming our own best advocates.

Early Action: My Genetic Wake-Up Call

Many diseases are treatable (or even reversible) if caught early. For instance, colorectal cancer, when identified in its early stages, can often be managed with much higher success rates than when caught later. However, early detection rarely happens by accident and requires a proactive approach to one's health.

Quite a few years ago, I had my whole genome sequenced and discovered I'm genetically predisposed to stomach and colon cancer. This doesn’t mean I will get them but the odds aren't exactly stacked in my favor. So, at 39, I booked my first colonoscopy and paired it with an endoscopy. Might as well check both ends of the plumbing while you're under.

It saves time, hassle, and spares you the thrill of doing it all over again. Sure, the prep means you'll be on first-name terms with your toilet for hours, but once that's behind you, opt for propofol as your anesthetic and it can be a surprisingly 'pleasant' trip.

The results? Multiple polyps in my colon and Heliobacter pylori that led to an inflammation of my stomach lining. Neither condition had given me any symptoms, but both could have escalated into something serious. Certain polyps can morph into colon cancer; stomach lining infections can spiral into ulcers and gastric cancer.

Were the procedures worth it, despite the inherent risks that come with any procedure involving anesthesia? Absolutely.

Colon cancer, for example, is rising sharply among younger adults, especially in populations with sedentary lifestyles and highly processed diets. The incidence of colorectal cancer in people under 55 has doubled since the 1990s and is now accounting for about 20% of diagnoses in the U.S. (American Cancer Society). Some governments are rethinking whether the standard age of 50 for colonoscopy screenings is too late, with the U.S. lowering its recommended screening age to 45. Early detection matters for cancer. While your genes, environment, and family history can provide important clues about your risk, they are just part of the picture. Understanding these factors and acting on them with regular screenings can help you take charge of your health.

The Case for DIY Medicine

The medical system isn’t built for prevention. That’s where self-monitoring and technology come in.

Recent research supports this trend: wearable devices and at-home diagnostics are putting clinical-grade tools directly into consumers’ hands. At CES 2025, companies showcased biosensors, arterial health cuffs, hormone trackers, and AI-powered dashboards that interpret the data and suggest lifestyle tweaks. As one Wired article put it, “Forget going to the doctor’s office; these companies are putting the power of tracking every aspect of your health into our own hands.”

It’s fascinating (and a little tragic) how we treat other things with more care than our own bodies. In Germany, my home country, people are meticulous about their cars. Every service check is documented in a little book, stamped and signed. But ask the same person when they last had a health check, and you’ll often hear: "Oh, years ago... Nothing’s broken, no need to fix it."

Data, Doctors, and the New Patient Dynamic

Unlike many, I haven’t grown old with a single-family doctor who knows my full history. I left Northern Germany after high school and have since lived in multiple countries. In my hometown, people have lifelong family doctor offices who know the family tree. They know who had leukemia, who had diabetes, which vaccinations were given and when. That context matters.

In contrast, I’m often consulting doctors who are meeting me for the first time. They don’t know my medical story, so I tell it armed with my trusted spreadsheet, organized test results, and annotated notes like I'm about to present at a medical conference. I do this not because I’m trying to be difficult, but because I want an accurate diagnosis and meaningful advice. We’re all unique. Knowing your own health data (what works and what doesn’t) is not just helpful. It’s vital.

Women in particular are leading the charge in this space. The term "spite tracking" (coined in a Fast Company article) describes how many are logging symptoms and biometrics out of frustration after feeling dismissed by medical professionals. Armed with data, they're flipping the doctor-patient dynamic and demanding better care. In fact, women are 75% more likely than men to use digital health tools independently. Health data has become a form of advocacy.

Can You Trust Your Digital Doctor?

Tools like ChatGPT or other large language models can act as a kind of “doctor in your pocket.” No, they’re not replacements for actual clinicians. Yes, there are valid concerns about sharing proprietary health data with AI. But these tools can help you frame better questions, prepare more thoroughly for appointments, and cross-check what you're told. They empower you to be a partner and not just a patient in your healthcare journey.

Of course, too much data can backfire. In fact, a 2024 National Geographic highlighted how information overload from health tracking devices can lead to anxiety, decision fatigue, and decreased well-being in some users. When you're inundated with data but lack guidance on what it means or how to respond, the data can feel more burdensome than empowering. I used to wear an Oura ring and would obsessively check my sleep data every morning. It got so extreme that my wife would greet me with: “So, what does your ring say? How did you sleep?” It started stressing me out. Eventually, I gave it up.

But I still believe wearable tech is a gateway to smarter health decisions. Companies are working on “digital twins”, a personalized AI that continuously monitors your metrics and nudges you with tailored advice. Imagine being reminded to de-stress or supplement based on your current biomarkers. This kind of real-time coaching has the potential to make preventive care a daily habit.

Health Without Walls

The decentralized healthcare model described in npi Digital Medicine captures exactly where we're headed: healthcare as a daily companion, not an occasional appointment. Instead of episodic checkups, we’re moving toward continuous monitoring, personalized insights, and immediate feedback. This transformation empowers individuals to catch problems early and co-create their treatment paths.

But this empowerment comes with responsibility. Most health data from wearables and wellness apps isn’t protected by traditional healthcare privacy laws warns The Atlantic. Your sleep score or menstrual cycle log might be shared with advertisers unless you actively manage your data settings. We've already seen what can happen when this data isn't properly safeguarded as in the case of 23andMe, where the company’s bankruptcy raised alarms about the fate of users’ sensitive genetic data, prompting users to scramble to delete their information amid fears it could be sold off. Owning your health data means protecting it too.

Stewards of Our Own Bodies

Ultimately, the key is not just collecting information—it’s making that information useful. Personal health data, combined with AI and thoughtful interpretation, can shift us from reactive patients to proactive stewards of our own health and well-being.

What do you think? Are you tracking your own health? Do you see value in owning your medical data—or do you still trust the system to catch what matters?

I’d love to hear what this stirs up for you.