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June is Men’s Health Awareness Month
Men, Make Your Health a Priority
You’re a healthy guy. You eat right and exercise. You’ve never even had a cavity. You may be feeling invincible and think it’s no big deal to skip an annual wellness check. Not so fast. Preventive screenings are important for your health.
Screenings help find hidden health problems early, before you have symptoms and when they are easier to treat. If you have insurance, your health plan covers several preventive screenings at no cost. That means you won’t have to pay anything when you go for your exam.
The type of screening tests you may need depend on your age and other risk factors. Use this guide to learn about the screening tests that are important for men to have for a long and healthy life:
- Cancer: After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. It mostly turns up late in life and has a wide range of treatments. For men aged 55 to 69 years, the decision to get regular screenings for prostate cancer should be an individual one, according to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. You should discuss your risks with your doctor and decide on the best plan of action for you.
- Colorectal Cancer: Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. of both men and women. A screening can find precancerous growths called polyps, so they can be removed before turning into cancer. If cancer is found, early treatment is effective in preventing death.
- High Blood Pressure: A blood pressure check by a health professional is easy and painless — and important. High blood pressure (also called hypertension) doesn’t always have warning signs or symptoms. Get yours tested at least every two years starting at age 18.
- High Cholesterol: A simple blood test will let you know if your cholesterol levels are in the sweet spot. Men over 35 should get their cholesterol tested regularly. If you are at risk for heart disease, a doctor may advise you to start earlier.
- Type 2 Diabetes: If you have high blood pressure or a family history of Type 2 diabetes,be proactive and get tested for the disease. Without proper management, Type 2 diabetes can lead to other serious health issues.
- Depression: Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. If you feel sad and hopeless for more than two weeks, talk with your doctor about a screening for depression. Depression often gets worse if left untreated.
This isn’t a complete list of all the preventive tests often covered by health plans at no charge to you. A good place to learn more about which screenings are right for you is a visit with your primary care provider. Schedule a yearly exam and talk about screenings and a preventive care plan tailored to your health needs.
For information about men’s preventative screenings, visit here.
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