STAUNTON - Seeking out the right treatment for your illness is important, but even more important is catching it before it becomes a serious matter.

Residents of Staunton and surrounding communities turned out for the Life Line Screening at St. Michael's Catholic Church Friday.

Staff for Life Line Screening were on hand to perform tests designed to catch a variety of medical problems at an early stage.

Life Line's primary goal is to help people be aware of health issues that might go undetected due to a lack of warning signs.

The screenings cover stroke, aortic aneurism, arterial, osteoporosis, blood glucose, cholesterol and other related medical problems.

Many of these problems go unnoticed for years before manifesting themselves, but by then the damage is done.

"You don't realize there's a problem until an emergency happens," says Gina Samm, who was on hand to help people signing up.

The screenings are also relatively inexpensive, allowing those who choose to attend them access to tests that can help them avoid serious medical problems that may cost them more later.

People of all ages should remember that not every medical problem has visible warning signs, and that screenings like this one are a great way to be proactive in staying healthy.