For Men’s Health Awareness Month, we’re raising awareness on health issues that affect men. So whether you want to stay healthy yourself or you want to keep the men in your life healthy, we’ve got you covered.
In this article, we will discover the top three health concerns that have the highest impact on men: heart disease, prostate cancer, and suicide.
Heart Disease
Among men, heart disease is the number one leading cause of death in the United States. Moreover the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that half of the men who die suddenly of coronary heart disease exhibit no previous symptoms.
This means waiting for visible symptoms of heart disease may be a recipe for disaster. In light of this fact, the best preventative measure is scheduling regular checkups with a health care provider. And the same goes for men of all ages.
Heart disease affects one in three Americans of all ages. Younger men, in fact, account for many of these cases, which means it’s never too early to start thinking about it.
men can reduce the risk of developing heart disease by making a few changes to their lifestyles, such as:
- Quitting smoking
- Checking cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- Eating healthy
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Lower stress levels
Although heart disease is one of the most prevalent diseases in the United States, 80% of cases are preventable, according to the American Heart Association. All men need to do is make their annual appointments, take a few tests, and adjust their lifestyles as needed.
Prostate Cancer
Another common health issue men confront is prostate cancer, a disease which occurs when cells grow out of control in the prostate gland.
Currently, there is no way to prevent prostate cancer, but by being aware of the risk factors, men can take the steps needed to be on the safe side.
Risk factors that can raise men’s chance of developing prostate cancer include their:
- Age
- Race
- Geographical location
- Family history
Although the American Cancer Society identifies 66 as the average age of those diagnosed with prostate cancer, it is critical to remember that cancer doesn’t discriminate. Just like any other cancer, prostate cancer can occur in anyone regardless of age.
Because these risk factors are mostly unchangeable, there are only two measures men can take prepare against prostate cancer.
The first is simply remaining vigilant about the threat of prostate cancer. By being aware, men can ensure they don’t forget the second measure: getting screened for prostate cancer. By taking these measures, men can reduce the likelihood of a late-stage diagnosis and prevent severe complications.
Mental Health – Suicide
When it comes to mental health, stigma still prevents many men from reaching out for help. In fact, in 2020 men committed suicide at a rate almost four times higher than women, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Although contributing factors for suicide varies from person to person, one constant remains true: treatment and professional help could have helped. The treatment plan for recovering from attempted suicide or suicidal ideation will look differently, but the path to recovery is possible for everyone.
A trained mental healthcare professional will be able to assist in developing a personalized plan that will help an individual grow in their coping mechanisms and thinking so that they can grow and overcome the cause of their struggles.
We understand that getting professional help can be intimidating, but it can be one of the best decisions a man can make.
How We Can Help
At MCR Health, we are dedicated medical professionals who are eager to spread awareness for Men’s health the month.
Quality health care is important because no man is invincible to health issues. Getting sick or hurt is just part of being human, and gender has nothing to do with it.
We encourage all men to schedule an appointment to get a wellness check to keep on top of their health!
