June is Men’s Health Month and there’s still time for the men in our lives to schedule a routine wellness exam. Scheduling a wellness exam is the first step toward prevention. During the wellness exam, you will have your health and family history reviewed, screening exams performed, and vaccinations addressed.
Although we all know how important wellness exams are, most men neglect going to the doctor. Studies show that women were three times more likely to see a doctor on a regular basis than men. The longer you wait to get your screening exams, the worse the results of your health evaluation could be. Being proactive early on can prevent bigger health problems in the future. That’s why it’s essential to get recommended screening exams and see your physician on a regular basis.
Surveys suggest that these are a few possible reasons men neglect going to the doctor:
- They don’t have time or don’t want to make time- All it takes is 1-2 hours to set aside for a wellness exam. Planning is essential. Pull out your calendar, call your primary care physician and write it in. This appointment should not be changed unless an emergency arises and even then, reschedule right away before you forget about it. 1-2 hours out of your time per year can save your life.
- They hate the thought of having a rectal exam—Most men fear the dreaded rectal exam. This part of the exam is used to check the prostate as well as to screen for blood in the stool. The recommendations for this test as it relates to prostate cancer have changed, so your doctor will discuss the risks/benefits of prostate cancer screening including a digital rectal exam. If you do need to have a rectal exam it’s only takes 2 minutes and it’s over. Don’t put off seeing the doctor just because you hate this exam. It’s quick and could possibly save your life.
- They feel everything is fine- How many times have heard ‘I feel fine so everything must be ok’. Well this could be far from the truth. Conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol can go undetected for years. That’s why they call high blood pressure the silent killer. It can have a negative effect on your heart and kidneys without you even knowing. It can also lead to a stroke or heart attack. Getting your blood pressure checked and knowing your cholesterol level will bring you one step closer to making sure you keep your heart strong and healthy.
- They don’t have a physician- Having a primary care physician is so important. This person becomes your go to for coordinating your health care, addressing your health needs, and the person who recommends preventive screenings to keep you healthy. Having a relationship with a primary care physician, someone who knows you and your medical history, can be the difference between you living a longer, healthier life or dealing with uncontrolled diseases and their consequences.
- They don’t like being lectured- Let’s look at it this way. It’s better to listen and take advice before something very serious develops and you can’t correct it. So yes, you will hear stop smoking, lose weight, exercise and eat healthy. These are all practices that you should adopt to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to ward off diseases like diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.
You and your physician should come up with an individualized plan for how often you should get certain screenings. Here are some recommendations below:
Age 18-49
- Blood pressure should be check every 1-2 years
- Diabetes screening every 3 years if you have no symptoms and normal blood pressure
- Tetanus vaccine every 10 years
- Colorectal cancer screening if you have certain conditions
- HIV screening for anyone at increased risk at routine exams
- Cholesterol screening age 35 and older every 5 years; younger if increased risk of heart disease
Age 50+
- Blood pressure should be check every 1-2 years
- Diabetes screening every 3 years if you have no symptoms and normal blood pressure
- Tetanus vaccine every 10 years
- Colorectal cancer screening with colonoscopy every 10 years, flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or double-contrast barium enema every 5 years- talk to your doctor about which test is best and the frequency
- HIV screening for anyone at increased risk at routine exams
- Cholesterol screening age 35 and older at least every 5 years; younger if increased risk of heart disease
- PSA blood test- Talk to your doctor and collaborate when testing should be performed. Men at high risk, including African Americans, should consider annual prostate exam starting at age 40.
Don’t procrastinate. Schedule your appointment today for your wellness exam.