The following blog post was written by Dr. Ginny Mantello, Director of Health and Wellness.
June is Men’s Health Month, and it’s a good time to remind men to get a checkup. Men are often reluctant to go to the doctor, even when they are sick, unless it is an emergency, and even then it can be a struggle. The reality is that annual checkups play an important role in a man’s long-term health. Here are some facts about men’s health that you should know and share with the men in your life:
June is Men’s Health Month, and it’s a good time to remind men to get a checkup. Men are often reluctant to go to the doctor, even when they are sick, unless it is an emergency, and even then it can be a struggle. The reality is that annual checkups play an important role in a man’s long-term health. Here are some facts about men’s health that you should know and share with the men in your life:
- Statistically, men have shorter lifespans than women.
- Men are also less likely to have visited a doctor in the past year.
- This does not mean that men must accept declining health as a certainty. Lifestyle changes and regular doctor visits can vastly improve men’s quality of life and increase their lifespans.
- Starting at age 30, men should begin visiting their primary care physicians regularly. This is also a good age to begin assessing personal risk, based on family history, and start doing certain health screenings.
- The leading cause of death in men is heart disease. However, heart disease can often be controlled through lifestyle changes and medical care. Men should ask their doctor about their risks for cardiac issues.
- The top cancers affecting men are prostate, lung, colon, and skin cancer. There are also other cancers specific to men, such as testicular cancer, that can be fatal.
- Screenings for these and other cancers can catch them at an earlier stage, which make them easier to treat and increase the chances of survival.
