June is Men’s Health Awareness Month, an important time to encourage the males in your life to get important health checkups, according to a news release from Mercy Health — Lorain.
Trends show men tend to avoid going to the doctor for a variety of reasons, though they still need specific annual health screenings to ensure their well-being by reducing the potential health risks, the release said.
“While there are a range of conditions that disproportionately affect men — things like obesity, alcohol and tobacco use, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, as well as prostate, lung and colorectal cancer — all of these conditions are preventable and/or manageable,” said Dr. Tamer Said, a family medicine physician at Mercy Health — Lorain Family Health Center, in the release. “You can also certainly extend your life expectancy by making some small but impactful changes.”
Said mentioned some of the most common health problems every man should know about:
• Heart disease — Roughly one in three men suffer from cardiovascular disease, and it’s more common in African Americans. High stress levels, a sedentary lifestyle and a poor diet can put you at risk for certain types of heart disease.
• Skin cancer — Men tend to die of skin cancer at higher rates than women, so take this health risk seriously. Skin cancer should be treated as early as possible. If you notice brown spots with dark speckles, painful lesions or lesions of an asymmetrical shape or moles that change in size or color, especially on your face or trunk, immediately consult with your primary care provider. If skin cancer runs in your family, you sunburn easily or have a history of irregular moles, you also should be particularly vigilant.
• Colon cancer — If you’re 50 years old or older, you should schedule routine colon cancer screenings. Although it’s one of the top health risks for men, it’s easiest to treat when it’s caught early. Some symptoms of colon cancer include blood in stool, diarrhea or constipation, pain in your abdomen and unexpected weight loss.
• Prostate cancer — Men older than age 45 should also seek a regular prostate cancer screening. About one out of every eight men develop prostate cancer, but it’s rare in people younger than 40 years old. If you have symptoms that include blood in semen or urine, painful ejaculation or urination, or pain in the pelvis or hips, it’s important to get checked out. However, in some cases, men with prostate cancer won’t notice any symptoms which only makes regular screenings all the more important.
• Mental health disorders — Some men don’t like to talk about mental health, but they’re not immune to mental health issues. Disorders such as depression and anxiety are common men’s health issues, so if you notice that your mood interferes with your daily life or relationships, talk to a primary care provider right away. They may direct you to a therapist or other mental health professional who can offer help.
“Men have a habit of brushing off small health concerns until they’ve grown into bigger problems,” Said said. “That’s why having a primary care physician you trust is so important — they can help pinpoint any potential health problems early so you get the care you need right away.
“Men’s Health Month serves as a timely reminder for men to prioritize their health and well-being. By making positive changes today, men can pave the way for a healthier and happier future.”
The best way to catch problems early is to stay on top of important age-appropriate health screenings, he said.
Be sure to touch base with your primary care provider to find out what annual health screenings you should be undergoing or what conditions you may be at a higher risk for, the doctor said.
If you don’t have a health care provider, head to mercy.com to find a physician nearest you.