I talk about the importance of preventive care frequently in my columns, but we should note that there’s a troubling gender difference when it comes to who seeks routine medical care, like scheduling — and showing up for — an annual wellness exam and going to the doctor when something is obviously wrong. Research shows that men are more likely than women to forgo critical annual checkups and skip preventive screenings. This could contribute to men’s poorer overall health during their lives as compared to women, and the fact that their life expectancy is shorter by about five years.
Being conscientious about getting preventive care, however, is crucial, and the earlier a man establishes and builds a good relationship with a trusted primary care provider, the better.
Throughout a man’s lifespan, these are the things he should be doing to stay on top of his health:
- In his 20s and 30s, men in this age group should be aware that testicular cancer is most common between the ages of 15 and 35 and they should perform regular testicular self-exams to become familiar with what is normal and promptly report any lumps, swelling, pain, or other changes to a healthcare provider. Annual eye exams should begin, twice-yearly dental exams should be done and continue throughout the lifespan, cholesterol screenings should be scheduled every five years (more often if a man has a family history of heart disease), skin exams should start, and screenings for type 2 diabetes should occur every three years.
- If a man has a family history of prostate cancer or if he is Black, prostate exams should begin in his 40s, specifically the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test. If he’s at average risk for colorectal cancer, a baseline colonoscopy should be performed at age 45 (the age was lowered due to increased rates of colorectal cancer in younger people).
- During his 50s, a man should be screened for lung cancer if he has a smoking history of 20 pack years (calculated by multiplying the number of cigarette packs smoked per day times the number of years smoking), if he smokes currently, or if he quit within the last 15 years.
- Men who have any smoking history should also get an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) ultrasound screening, which examines whether a part of the aorta has become wider than 3 centimeters. The more it widens and bulges in a balloon-like way, the higher a man’s risk for it rupturing and causing bleeding that’s life-threatening. If a man has a family history of AAA and has smoked, they should be screened at age 50 or older, at age 55 if they have just a family history, and at age 65 with just a smoking history.
- In his 60s, a man should be tested for cognitive ability and have a conversation with his doctor about any mood or memory changes, and in his 60s or 70s, he should be screened for osteoporosis, which is not just a woman’s disease.
Throughout his life, a man’s primary care provider should monitor and talk to him about his weight, blood glucose level, blood pressure, and heart health, bearing in mind that testing will be determined by his individual and family medical history and specific symptoms he may be experiencing.
Men should receive all necessary vaccinations and boosters, including routine ones for flu and COVID-19. Older men should be up to date on RSV, pneumonia, and shingles vaccines as well.
We also know now that mental health is just as vital as physical health to maintain, but many men grow up with a stigma about showing their emotions and expressing their feelings. On the contrary, seeking help when you’re struggling emotionally is the best thing you can do. If you’re living with a temporary or chronic mental health issue, medication, counseling, and other treatments can make a significant difference and enhance your quality of life and relationships.
Investing in this type of lifelong self-care is a way to show that you care not only about your own life, but about those who love you. Men, pick up the phone and make that annual wellness checkup appointment today, and think about things you may want to change to support your health — it’s never too late.
Transylvania Regional Hospital (TRH) is here to help with primary care services, screening tests, vaccines, and treatment for any chronic condition you may be living with. We want to be the place you can count on for care in this community, no matter your gender.
If you need to establish care with a primary care provider, please call (828) 884-9030 to set up an appointment with Christy McCall, Nurse Practitioner in Brevard, and (828) 862-6900 to schedule one with Vicky Cooke-Thornton, Nurse Practitioner in Lake Toxaway.
Michele Pilon, MS, BSN, RN, NE-BC, is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Nursing Officer of Transylvania Regional Hospital. Her diverse professional experience includes service as a bedside nurse and over a decade as a leader at healthcare institutions in Virginia, Florida, and North Carolina. Ms. Pilon earned a Bachelor’s in Nursing from Ohio’s University of Akron and a Masters in Health Services Administration from the University of St. Francis in Illinois; she is also a Board-Certified Nursing Executive.