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Take Advantage of Men’s Health Month Screenings This June

Take Advantage of Men’s Health Month Screenings This June

Take Advantage of Men’s Health Month Screenings This June

June is a time to celebrate the men in our lives. But this month isn’t just about Father’s Day fun — it’s also Men's Health Month. There’s no better way to honor your father, or your kids if you’re the father, by prioritizing your physical and mental well-being with a wellness exam and preventative screenings. Your primary care provider at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County can help you take advantage of Men’s Health Month to ensure you’re up to date on screenings and your health concerns are addressed.

Health Risks Men Face

Men are statistically less likely to take care of their health, compared to women. Men are also more likely to die before women and to have worse health outcomes from common diseases, such as:

That’s why getting regular preventive screenings are important for men at every age. A major benefit of screenings is that your primary care provider can diagnose health problems early, when they are more easily treatable.

Basic Preventive Health Care You Need

One trip to the doctor during Men’s Health Month can assess many of your risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Your provider will measure your:

  • Blood pressure
  • Blood sugar
  • Cholesterol

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, and high cholesterol are warning signs for heart disease. High blood sugar can put you at risk for diabetes. Lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and plenty of physical activity can lower your risks of these diseases, which can cause heart attack, stroke and kidney disease.

Keep Up With Cancer Screenings

Anyone can develop cancer, even if you’re at very low risk. That’s why you need regular screenings for certain types of cancer, including:

  • Colon cancer. Starting at age 45, you need a colonoscopy every 10 years to check for cancer. Men with a family history of colon cancer should start screening earlier.
  • Lung cancer. If you’re 50 or older and smoke cigarettes, you probably need a low-dose CT scan to check for lung cancer. Your doctor can tell you if you qualify for the free screening.
  • Prostate cancer. Men in their 40s and 50s should ask their doctor about whether to start PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood tests that can detect possible signs of prostate cancer.
  • Skin cancer. Men are more likely to die from melanoma, a type of skin cancer, than women. Regular wellness visits allow your doctor to monitor unusual moles or growths on your skin.

Your Mental Health Matters, Too

Although women are more likely to experience depression and anxiety, men are far more likely to die by suicide. Wyoming has the highest rate of death by suicide in the U.S., and it is the second leading cause of death of people ages 10 to 44 in the state. Middle-aged men also have the highest rate of death by suicide in Wyoming. But you don’t have to manage your pain alone. Talking to your doctor about your mental health concerns can help ensure you get the care you need. Depression is a disease just like diabetes, and there’s nothing to be ashamed about.

Don’t Forget Your Vaccines During Men’s Health Month

You might think you aged out of vaccines as a teenager, but there are still booster shots you should get semi-regularly. Every 10 years, you need a tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) booster to protect against infection. You also need a shingles vaccine at age 50, and regular vaccines to prevent respiratory diseases such as COVID-19, influenza and pneumonia. And if you are not sure if you had vaccines for hepatitis or HPV, talk to your provider about whether you should get them.

Catch up with your preventive screenings at MHSC. Make an appointment today.