Summer often lends itself to a slightly slower pace of life, kids are out of school and some are lucky enough to have summer Fridays with a few extra hours added to your weekend.
Although there is an abundance of fun summer activities to fit into those few extra hours, we’d encourage you to include a visit to your healthcare provider to ensure many more summers full of fun! June is Men’s Health Awareness Month and now is the perfect time to encourage men that you care about to prioritize their health!
Two of the biggest health concerns for men as they age are cancer and heart disease. Let’s break these down and understand how men can take steps to mitigate these risks.
Cancer in Men
The most common cancers in men are:
- Prostate – approximately 13 out of every 100 American men get prostate cancer in their lifetime. Screenings for prostate cancer are recommended to begin between the age of 40-55 depending on family history and risk factors. Screenings are recommended on an ongoing basis every one to 2.5 years depending on results.
- Lung – a persistent cough is one of the most telling signs of lung cancer, shortness of breath, chest pain, and unexplained weight loss can also be symptoms. Lung cancer can be difficult to diagnose and it is critical to catch this diagnosis as early as possible. If you have concerns, it is important to see your healthcare provider right away.
- Colorectal – Colorectal cancer diagnoses are increasing in those under the age of 50. Colorectal cancers are often influenced by diet and exercise. It is important to eat a high-fiber diet, lots of fruits and leafy green vegetables along with staying active can be great approaches. In addition colorectal cancer screenings, which are a key to early diagnosis, are often recommended at age 45 for many.
- Bladder – Bladder cancer is nearly three times more common in men than women. If you are experiencing blood in your urine or frequent or painful urination, it’s time to schedule an appointment. A standard urinalysis is a very simple test that looks for blood in the urine.
- Melanoma – While anyone who doesn’t properly protect themselves from the sun can get skin cancer, individuals with fair skin or less pigment (melanin) have less of a defense against the sun’s harmful rays. It’s natural to spend more time outside in the summer, but it is also critical to always wear sunscreen when outdoors.
Heart Disease
According to the CDC, Heart disease (including coronary artery disease and heart attacks) is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States. One person dies every 36 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease. About 655,000 Americans die from heart disease each year—that’s 1 in every 4 deaths
It’s important to take steps to keep your heat at its healthiest. Age, gender, and family history all play a role in your risk for heart disease. While you can’t control these factors, having knowledge of your family history is important so that if your risk is high, you can pay extra attention to other factors that you can control.
- Know your Blood Pressure – At nearly every health screening, you will have your blood pressure checked. It’s important to know what a healthy blood pressure is for you and make sure you are taking appropriate actions with your activity level, diet, or even medication to help control your blood pressure and keep it in a normal range.
- Get your Cholesterol Checked – Cholesterol can be checked every 4-6 years with a simple blood test. However, more frequent screenings may be necessary for some. High cholesterol and triglycerides increase the likelihood of clogged arteries caused by plaque and atherosclerosis which increases the risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack.
- Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices – For everyone, eating healthy (limiting red meat, salty foods, and processed foods, while consuming lots of whole grains, fruits and vegetables), maintaining a healthy weight, and getting ample exercise (30 minutes a day) are great recommendations for keeping your body and heart in great shape!
We’ve put together recommended health and wellness screenings for men from their 20’s to 60’s and beyond.
And if you’re looking for a partner in maintaining your best possible health, we’d love to see you at Voyage Healthcare!