Men’s Health Month

Ways to build men’s health this June

Key takeaways:

• According to reports from studies, men are far less likely to make annual visits to the doctor for examinations and preventative services.
• The American Heart Association states that more than one in three men are likely to have some form of cardiovascular disease. This makes heart disease the leading cause of death in men, accounting for 24.4 percent of all male deaths.
• Knowing the threats and battles that men are more prone to is the first step in preventative and protective care.

June is upon us, bringing with it the first days of summer, Father’s Day, and, rather fittingly, Men’s Health Month. Established in 1994, Men’s Health Month serves to heighten awareness about the health of men and boys by highlighting the specific health risks that affect the sex that – well, let’s face it – can tend toward stoicism when it comes to personal health.

As a society, we generally do a good job of recognizing the health risks women face every day by creating an environment of awareness and accountability. Can we say the same about the men in our society? Let’s take a look at some quick facts about men’s health.

Did you know?

• According to the American Cancer Society, roughly 160,000 U.S. men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year – 27,000 of which will die from the disease.
• In men ages 15–34, testicular cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer. If detected early, cancer has a survivability rate of 87 percent!
• Forbes reports that men are far more likely to become victims of workplace fatalities. Men make up a little over half of the labor force but makeup about 92 percent of all workplace-related fatalities.
• The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center reports, young men make up 80 percent of spinal cord injuries.
• Men are almost twice as likely to die as a result of diabetes.
• The average life expectancy for a man in the U.S. is 76, whereas women live to about 81.

These are just a handful of the many health problems that regularly affect the men in our country. The question is, how can we help to fix these issues among men? A good start is as simple as being aware of the health risks men run up against.

We need to keep the men in our lives accountable for their health. As noted earlier, studies show that men are less likely to make annual visits to a health professional. That means it’s on those around them to give them a little motivation every now and then. Don’t be afraid to give your father, co-worker, or teacher a little metaphorical kick in the rear to get him headed toward the doctor’s office!

The more we can disseminate information to the public about identifying symptoms and taking preventative measures against disease and illness, the better the chance men have at a healthy life.

Symptom spotting and preventative measures

Let’s take a closer look at a couple of the biggest dangers to men’s health. Knowing the signs and symptoms of these illnesses along with the risks will help ensure victims spot it sooner, improving chances of survival.

Heart disease

• Symptoms: When it comes to spotting symptoms of heart disease in men, it’s important to note that men may experience different symptoms than women. Men are more likely to experience chest pain, whereas women are more likely to suffer from nausea, fatigue, and shortness of breath with chest discomfort. Other symptoms to look out for are a pain, weakness, and coldness or numbing in the legs or arms as well as pain in the neck, jaw, throat, back, or abdomen.
• Preventative measures: High blood pressure is a big contributor to heart disease, so regularly checking blood pressure is a key step in preventing heart disease.

Prostate cancer

• Symptoms: Men will notice challenges in the restroom when they are faced with this type of cancer. They will experience difficulty starting urination; the weak or interrupted flow of urine; frequent urination (especially at night); difficulty emptying the bladder completely; pain or burning during urination; and pain in the back, hips, or pelvis that doesn’t go away, among others.
• Preventative measures: According to the CDC, “Screening for prostate cancer begins with a blood test called a prostate-specific antigen test.”

Those who fear they might have these illnesses or others should go see a licensed medical professional for evaluation – but knowing the symptoms is the first step in treating the problem.

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