November is Men’s Health Month

A Cleveland Clinic survey (2019) confirms how few men will visit their health care provider. Only half of the 1,174 adult men surveyed said they get regular checkups, and 72 percent would rather do household chores such as cleaning the bathroom than see their doctor. Unless something’s going on, men may not see a provider until their 30s or 40s for routine screening.

RECOMMENDED SCREENINGS FOR MEN 20 YEARS AND OLDER:

1. Get an annual physical exam by your primary care provider, including blood pressure and height/weight checks.
2. Annually screen for testicular cancer that includes monthly self-exams.
3. Have cholesterol testing every five years.
4. Screen for diabetes, thyroid disease, liver problems, and anemia.
5. At 30, screen for coronary heart disease, especially with a strong family history of the disease or risk factors.
6. At 40, screen for thyroid disease, liver problems, anemia, and prostate cancer.
7. At 50, screen annually for Type II diabetes; lipid disorders; and skin, colon, and lung cancer. Obtain a shingles vaccine.
8. At 60, screen for depression, osteoporosis, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and abdominal aortic aneurysm and have a carotid artery ultrasound.
9. At 70, depending on previous findings, some screenings may be done every six months.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MEN’S HEALTH REGARDLESS OF AGE

1. It is important for men to put an emphasis on establishing and maintaining good friendships as this will lead to positives like stress reduction and increased physical activity.
2. Avoid tobacco products and non-prescriptive drugs.
3. Avoid excessive sun exposure.
4. Don’t become a workaholic; it increases stress and can lead to health concerns such as hypertension and weight gain. Get a hobby that helps you decrease stress, exercise, and modify your diet to maintain a desirable weight.
5. Men are known for engaging in risky behaviors. Wear seatbelts, helmets when riding bicycles or motorcycles, and don’t text or talk on the telephone when driving.

 

Many of the health issues that men face can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle, regular checkups, and screenings. Finding a health risk in its early stages is important for successful treatment.

Nathan Murray, PA-C
Marlow Family Care