DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – Men are less likely to go to the doctor than women, according to the CDC. That’s why June is recognized as Men’s Health Month.
Heart disease, blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, prostate and colon cancer are just a few of the main health concerns men face, according to Dr. Rukan Ahmed, physician for Kettering Health Springfield.
“There’s no limit to the number of issues that can plague a gentleman, but at the same time, it’s hard or a challenge to get the majority of men to care about this these things.” Ahmed said.
Ahmed said this month serves as an important reminder for men to keep up with regular checkups.
It’s also recommended most men start routine prostate and colon cancer screenings at age 45.
Ahmed said men should talk with their doctors about family history and lifestyle choices, like smoking or vaping, to determine if health screenings should start earlier.
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” Ahmed said. “If you can find things early on, you can help prevent potentially, you know, irreparable damage.”
Ahmed said men also need to talk with their doctors about their mental health because it’s just as important as physical health.
“There’s an unspoken rule with some men where you don’t talk about your feelings and you know, your mental health is not really important,” Ahmed said. “That’s very unfortunate because, you know, mental health is important for everybody, especially in those who may be more predisposed to try and tuck it away somewhere else.”