June is Men’s Health Month, a time to take stock of your health and identify ways to protect it. Did you know that preventative screenings for men is one of the best things a man can do for his health? Screenings are the best way to prevent disease and early detection is key for successful treatment.
It is recommended for men to be screened for prostate cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer and skin cancer. It’s also advised to screen for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and glaucoma, just to name a few. Screening guidelines are based on age, lifestyle, risk factors and general medical consensus for prevention.
Here are three important preventative screenings for men to discuss with their doctors to determine the appropriate time to perform:
Prostate cancer – Prostate cancer is the most common cancer found in American men after skin cancer. It tends to be a slow-growing cancer, but some types are more aggressive. Screening tests may help find the disease early. Screenings for healthy men may include a digital rectal exam (DRE) and possibly a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
High blood pressure – Your chances of developing high blood pressure are tied to your age, weight and lifestyle. Many people have high blood pressure and don’t know it. It’s treatable, and changing your diet and exercise habits can make a big difference. Reducing your blood pressure may help you reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke and kidney failure.
Cholesterol – If you have too much LDL cholesterol in your blood, plaque builds up in the walls of your arteries. This makes heart disease more likely. Over time it can lead to heart attack and stroke. Lifestyle changes and medications can lower your LDL levels.
Taking the time to have just one preventative screening a year can add years to your life, as well as quality to those years. Talk to your doctor today about any health risk factors or concerns and what preventative screenings could be beneficial for you. Also, check out our other heart health tips from our physicians to discover other ways to stay healthy.