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Regular Screenings Can Help Avoid Major Health Complications
June is Men’s Health Awareness Month, an important time to encourage the males in your life to get important health checkups.
Trends show men tend to avoid going to the doctor for a variety of reasons, though they still need specific annual health screenings to ensure their well-being by reducing the potential health risks.
“While there are a range of conditions that disproportionately affect men – things like obesity, alcohol and tobacco use, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, as well as prostate, lung, and colorectal cancer – all of these conditions are preventable and/or manageable. You can also certainly extend your life expectancy by making some small but impactful changes,” explained Dr. Tamer Said, a family medicine physician at Mercy Health – Lorain Family Health Center.
Here are some of the most common health problems every man should know about:
- Heart Disease: Roughly one in three men suffer from cardiovascular disease, and it’s more common in African Americans. High stress levels, a sedentary lifestyle and a poor diet can put you at risk for certain types of heart disease.
- Skin Cancer: Men tend to die of skin cancer at higher rates than women, so take this health risk seriously. Skin cancer should be treated as early as possible. If you notice brown spots with dark speckles, painful lesions or lesions of an asymmetrical shape, or moles that change in size or color – especially on your face or trunk – consult with your primary care provider immediately. If skin cancer runs in your family, you sunburn easily or have a history of irregular moles, you should also be particularly vigilant.
- Colon Cancer: If you’re 50 years old or older, you should schedule routine colon cancer screenings. Although it’s one of the top health risks for men, it’s easiest to treat when it’s caught early. Some symptoms of colon cancer include blood in stool, diarrhea or constipation, pain in your abdomen, and unexpected weight loss.
- Prostate Cancer: Men over 45 should also seek a regular prostate cancer screening. About one out of every eight men develop prostate cancer, but it’s rare in people under 40 years old. If you have symptoms that include blood in semen or urine, painful ejaculation or urination, or pain in the pelvis or hips, it’s important to get checked out. However, in some cases, men with prostate cancer won’t notice any symptoms which only makes regular screenings all the more important.
- Mental Health Disorders: Some men don’t like to talk about mental health, but they’re not immune to mental health issues. Disorders such as depression and anxiety are common men’s health issues, so if you notice that your mood interferes with your daily life or relationships, talk to a primary care provider right away. They may direct you to a therapist or other mental health professional who can offer help.
“Men have a habit of brushing off small health concerns until they’ve grown into bigger problems. That’s why having a primary care physician you trust is so important – they can help pinpoint any potential health problems early so you get the care you need right away,” said Dr. Said. “Men’s Health Month serves as a timely reminder for men to prioritize their health and well-being. By making positive changes today, men can pave the way for a healthier and happier future.”
The best way to catch problems early is to stay on top of important age-appropriate health screenings. Be sure to touch base with your primary care provider to find out what annual health screenings you should be undergoing or what conditions you may be at a higher risk for. If you don’t have a health care provider, head to mercy.com to find a physician nearest you.
About Mercy Health – Lorain
Mercy Health – Lorain is part of Bon Secours Mercy Health, one of the 20 largest health systems in the United States and the fifth-largest Catholic health system in the country. The ministry’s quality, compassionate care is provided by more than 60,000 associates serving communities in Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia, as well as throughout Ireland. Bon Secours Mercy Health provides care for patients more than 11 million times annually through its network of more than 1,200 care sites, which includes 49 hospitals. In 2023, BSMH provided more than $600 million dollars in community investments across five states, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to health care for our patients in need. Locally, Mercy Health – Lorain is a full-service, not-for-profit, integrated health care system, which has been providing quality health care to Lorain County and surrounding communities for more than 125 years. The health system provides inpatient, outpatient, and ancillary services through its two hospitals, Mercy Health – Lorain Hospital and Mercy Health – Allen Hospital in Oberlin; Mercy Health Physicians; and specialized facilities, including the Mercy Health – Cancer Center, Mercy Health – Outpatient Rehabilitation and Therapy, and Mercy Health – New Life Hospice. The mission of Mercy Health – Lorain is to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of our communities and bring good help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying and underserved. For more information, visit Mercy Health online at www.mercy.com.
