“Man Colds” Aside, Men Aren’t Seeing Their Doctors Enough
Over the last decade, viral videos about “Man Colds” have poked fun at men, playing off the gender stereotypes of physical toughness versus reality. The videos racked up millions of views and chuckles as men and women depicted how differently each experiences illness. But contrary to the jokes, men are statistically less likely to seek proactive medical help -– and that can have dire health consequences.
October is officially Men’s Health Month, and awareness activities are intended to encourage men to take charge of their health – and to take checkups and screenings more seriously. Regardless of age or genetics, men should be aware of the unique health concerns specific to their gender… and these concerns are not all anatomically specific.
“For men, the biggest concerns are heart disease and high blood pressure. Heart disease takes more men’s life than any other disease, and it can be managed in most cases,” says Oregon Medical Group’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Stacy Chance. “Heart health concerns men of all ages. Those who we see in early adulthood are in the best position to control their health. That’s a time we can identify concerns and establish a plan to avoid mid-life and later issues.”
Concerns specific to anatomy also require attention, says Dr. Chance. “Men of all ages should be aware of changes to their testicles, any changes in urination, and issues of impotence. Each of these can be a sign of a greater concern – and all of them are best addressed early.” A visit to the doctor at the onset of any symptoms improves outcomes and often keeps treatments less invasive, with only short-term impacts.
The very simplest advice for long-term health? “Annual checkups,” Dr. Chance reports. “That’s where your doctor looks at your health history, your family history, lifestyle and your age. We have a very specific list of concerns and screenings we use as a reference. If you make it to these annual check-ups and conduct the tests, screenings, and so on, you can rest more easily.”
Doctors hold the following exams and screenings in high regard, based on the part they play in early discovery of any concerns. We’ve organized them by age, but your situation may be different, so ask your doctor.
All Ages:
Annual checkups: Track changes in your health and address any concerns. Annual exams include:
Blood pressure screening: Men should have their systolic and diastolic pressure checked regularly to check for pre-hypertension or high blood pressure, which is a leading cause of stroke and heart issues.
Testicular cancer exam: The American Cancer Society recommends all men have a testicular exam when they see a doctor for a routine physical. Additional screenings may be needed if a man has a family history of testicular cancer or an undescended testicle.
AGES 40/50 and up
Prostate exam: Annual screenings can catch the disease early when treatments are more effective. The American Cancer Society suggests men should begin discussions and tests at age 50 for the average-risk male, age 45 for high-risk men, and age 40 for African Americans and men with a family history of prostate cancer.
Colorectal exam: Average adults should have colorectal screenings beginning at age 50.
Skin cancer screening: Men are three times more likely to get non-melanoma basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers than women, and older men are more likely than women of the same age to develop the deadly melanoma skin cancer.
Cholesterol level test: High cholesterol could lead to heart disease, stroke and diabetes. A fasting blood lipid panel is a common blood test that checks the levels of total cholesterol, LDL "bad" cholesterol, HDL "good" cholesterol and triglycerides (blood fat). Men need regular cholesterol testing at age 35, though those with a higher risk factor should begin testing at age 20.
With the sort of screenings included in a checkup, maybe it’s no surprise that a well-known Cleveland Clinic survey reported 72 percent of men surveyed would rather clean the bathroom than go to the doctor. “If we could remember that those annual checkups are likely to help avoid the need for even more appointments later, maybe men would be better about