Here’s the truth, most of us do not like going to the doctor but men are 24% less likely to visit a doctor than women. Also, most of the time men’s doctor visits are out of necessity due to injury or illness. Many issues can be prevented through health maintenance. It is very important that men see the doctor for regular checkups and routine preventative care. In honor of June being Men’s Health Month here are some startling facts about men’s health:
THE BAD NEWS
- Heart disease is the #1 killer of men. 1 out of 4 men have heart disease
- 31% of men over the age of 20 have hypertension
- Each year 230,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer
- Testicular cancer is the #1 cancer among men ages 15-34
- 4 out of 5 suicides are men
- 33.6% of men over the age of 20 are obese
- Men’s life expectancy is 6 years less than women’s
- 12.4% of men over the age of 18 are in fair to poor health and men, on average, will live 9 years in poor health before seeking care
- 1 in 2 men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime
- The average man will lose 5.4 teeth by the age of 72
Many of these statistics are so startling because they are preventable or can be treated quickly with routine doctor’s visits. According to the Center for Disease Control, genetics contribute to 30% of a person’s health while lifestyle contributes to 70% of a person’s health. Below are some guidelines for what men can do to be healthier regardless of age.
THE ADVICE
- Exercise. Men who climb 50 stairs or walk 5 city blocks reduce their chance of a heart attack by 25%
- Sleep. Men who sleep 7-8 hours a night reduce their chance of a heart attack by 60%
- Fruits and Veggies. Men who eat 5-7 servings of fruits and/or veggies per day greatly reduce their chance of diabetes and heart disease
- Drink Less. Men who consume less than 10 alcoholic beverages in a week reduce their chance of type 2 diabetes by half
- Stop Smoking. Men who don’t smoke are at far less risk to develop hypertension and cancer
- Go to the Dentist. Everyone should go to the dentist every 6 months for routine cleanings and care to reduce the chance of major problems
- Go to the Doctor. Going to the doctor for regular screenings will greatly reduce the chance of having major health issues or dying prematurely
SCREENING BY THE DECADE
In your 20’s and 30’s
- Yearly physical examinations that check weight and Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Talk to your doctor about family history of heart disease diabetes, mental illness, and/or any other concern you may have
- Make sure vaccines are current such as tetanus (every 10 years) and flu (every year)
- Talk to your doctor about the human papillomavirus (HPV) or hepatitis A&B vaccines
- Ask about a sexual health screening
- Learn how to correctly administer testicular cancer self-examines and administer them every 6 months
- Also learn how to check for breast cancer because men get it too.
- Get your blood pressure checked every 2 years unless it is over 140/90 than it will need to be monitored closely
- Have your blood sugar checked if your BMI is over 25, or 23 for Asian-Americans
- If you have eyesight issues, see an optician every 2 years or if you have diabetes get your eyes check every year
- See the dentist every 6-12 months
- Always seek help for any mental health issues you are feeling
In your 40’s
- Continue to check in with doctor about any issues that may arise and your yearly physical
- Get a cholesterol screening every 5 years
- Get blood pressure checked yearly
- See an optician every 2-4 years regardless of eyesight
- Diabetes screenings should take place every 3 years
- Talk to your doctor about colorectal cancer screenings as you may need to start them before the age of 50 if there is a family history or there are other health concerns
In your 50’s
Colorectal cancer screenings are critical after the age of 50.
- A fecal occult blood (stool-based) test done every year
- A fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year
- A stool DNA test every 3 years
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
- Double contrast barium enema every 5 years
- CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years
- Colonoscopy every 10 years
Other screenings after 50 include:
- Shingles and herpes zoster vaccinations are needed
- Screenings for osteoporosis should be discussed
- Prostate cancer screenings begin at age 50
- Lung cancer screenings should begin at age 55 for smokers
Physical health is not the only component of health that needs to be regularly evaluated. Since 2000 the suicide rate among males has risen steadily. Suicide is now the 7th leading cause of death among men. 6 million men suffer from depression in the US. Men are also less likely to seek out help than women when it comes to mental health. If you are struggling, reach out and seek help.