Sydney based Executive Medicine provides preventative health services that include an intensive annual check-up to screen a wide range of potential health problems.

“Adequate wealth alone will not give a comfortable retirement– good health is just as important if retirees are to enjoy the lifestyle they plan for,” Dr Cummins said.

“The fact is, many Australians could prevent, postpone, or minimise the severity of medical problems in retirement if they were involved in established preventative medicine programs by their middle age.”

Dr Cummins adds that when retirement is considered, the big unknown that affects all decisions, including how much money people need to be comfortable, is life expectancy.

“I find patients about to retire become more interested in health and what they can do about it.

“But if they had started doing something about it earlier, they could almost certainly look forward to a longer, more active, retirement where they are physically able to do the things they dreamed of – travel, look after grandchildren, or take up other physical activities like  golf.

“The simplest example is diet and obesity.  A healthy diet and weight control programs through adulthood can help prevent most health problems that can affect retirees’ lifestyle.

“Too many executives and professionals live under stress and don’t eat properly or exercise regularly, especially if their work entails regular travel.

“I have found that simply by committing to a health preventative program, patients’ diet and exercise habits will improve, leading to a better and healthier retirement lifestyle.

“It’s as if by committing to see a preventative medicine specialist, a mental decision is made to do something about it and to commit to change.”

Dr Cummins said that he has found early warning signs of diabetes, potential cardiac problems and cancer in patients, who had previously felt no symptoms and that may not have been discovered in a routine medical check.

“If diseases such as diabetes, heart conditions and even cancer go undiagnosed for some time, treatment is likely to be much more intrusive, and the disease more debilitating. This can result in missing out on any dream trip or other extensive travel.

“Early treatment nearly always improves chances of complete recovery, or at least better disease management.

“Travelling and touring is simply not such fun on dodgy knees, shortness of breath, or with the need for regular insulin.

“A medical prevention program can lift the odds for a longer, active life in retirement,” he said.

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