Men’s Health Matters: 5 Commonly Overlooked Healthcare Issues
Father’s Day is a great time to catch up, grill, and remind the men in your life to get to the doctor. June is Men’s Health Month, and we are spotlighting five often overlooked areas of men’s health: preventative care, bowel health, skin cancer, alcohol use, and mental health. Even though most people don’t like going to the doctor, it is important to seek routine healthcare to maintain and improve your overall health and quality of life.
Preventative Care
A recent Cleveland Clinic study revealed that only half of the almost 1,200 men surveyed get regular checkups. Preventative care is critical in maintaining your overall health and early detection of issues can be lifesaving. It is recommended that men in their 30s go to the doctor every other year and then switch to annual visits in their 40s. Regular checkups for men will include a blood pressure screening, bloodwork, testicular and prostate exams, in addition to the other routine health checks.
Bowel Health
Talking about bathroom issues might be bad manners, but it could also save your life. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and men have a 1 in 23 lifetime risk of developing it. More concerning, patients in their 20s, 30s, and 40s are being diagnosed with bowel-related cancers. The good news is that colorectal cancer can be highly treatable with early detection. It is crucial that men not ignore warning signs related to bowel cancers such as rectal bleeding, changes in bowel movements, and fatigue.
Skin Cancer
Men over 50 are more likely than women to develop melanoma and by age 65 the risk is doubled. In large part, this discrepancy could be attributed to the amount of marketing dollars spent targeting women to purchase skincare products, often infused with SPF. Regardless of the reason, men must do a better job at protecting their skin from the sun. A lifetime of outdoor sports, yard work, and recreation can leave men with dangerous cells lurking just below the surface. While prevention is preferable, men should perform skin self-checks to look for anything suspicious and seek out a dermatologist for a more thorough examination if something is detected or if there is a family history of skin cancer.
Alcohol Use
According to the CDC, men are more likely to drink excessively than women. This level of alcohol consumption can lead to risky behaviors, and accidents, and is associated with lower fertility. Additionally, excessive drinking is also associated with elevated risks for several types of cancer including prostate and liver cancer. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol abuse, the SAMHSA National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders and you can reach it by calling 1-800-662-HELP.
Mental Health
Mental health continues to have a stigma around it, especially for men, but that does not make it any less prevalent. Depression and anxiety affect everyone, men included, and their effects can range from mild issues like fatigue, irritability, and difficulty focusing to more severe symptoms like aggression, social withdrawal, and self-harm. There are lots of treatments available for mental health disorders and treatments can be tailored to your specific needs. Mental health disorders can be effectively treated with a range of therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy, medications including SSRIs, or more commonly, a combination of the two. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please do not wait to seek help. The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
