Men’s health affects everyone
Men’s health is not just a man’s issue! Men’s health impacts wives, mothers, daughters and sisters. Yet, numerous studies have found that men are more likely than women to resist getting regular checkups. Reach out to the man in your life. Have him take action!
What are some healthcare issues men should know?
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in men in the United States
- Prostate cancer affects as many men as breast cancer does women
- Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men 15 to 35 years old
- Sleep apnea is common in men aged 40 and older and may increase risk of dying early
- Men die an average of six years younger than women
- Men visit physicians for prevention 50 percent less than women do.
Why is a yearly physical exam so important?
A yearly physical exam is important because some major health issues display no symptoms at all and can go undetected for months or years. Medical care is essential at every age. Listed below is a rough guide for consideration:
- Age 20, an annual testicular and hernia exam
- Age 35, a thyroid check
- Age 40, annual cholesterol level lab tests
- Age 50, your first colonoscopy and your first prostate blood test
Perry Memorial Hospital offers a variety of free or discounted screenings to detect many health conditions:
- Free blood pressure and blood sugar screenings are offered 7:30 a.m.- 9 a.m. the second Tuesday of each month in the east main lobby
- Chemistry profile: evaluates state of physical well-being *
- Lipid profile: evaluates the risk of developing cardiovascular disease *
- Thyroid-TSH: evaluates thyroid function and disorder
- A1C: diabetes maintenance screening for three-month average
- Hemogram: evaluates anemia and looks for infection
- Peripheral arterial disease: evaluates the blood flow in the lower extremities
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm: evaluates the aorta condition as it passes the abdomen wall
* Requires 12-hour fasting. Self-pay service. No provider order is needed for tests. Must provide a physician’s name and address to receive test results.
Is prostate screening offered?
Signs of prostate cancer are first detected by a doctor during a routine checkup. Measuring the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) concentration in the blood is the primary method of testing for prostate cancer. Free prostate screenings are offered for men 40 (with family history of prostate cancer) and 50 and above not under the care of a urologist. A PSA blood test is available for an additional fee.
Who should men call for more information?
Men who don’t already have a primary physician can call the Perry Memorial Family Health Clinic at 815-875-4531.
