T H E R O U T I N E C H E C K- U P T H E R O U T I N E C H E C K- U P
FOR MEN
Testing,
Health screenings are im Health screenings are a vital part of living well and allow physicians to detect conditions and diseases in early stages. However, men are 24% more likely to skip their checkup than women.
From ages 20 to 49, men should visit their primary care provider every 1-3 years for a complete check-up.
A COMPLETE CHECK-UP INCLUDES... PHYSICAL EXAM SKIN EXAM TESTICULAR CANCER SCREENING BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK BODY MASS INDEX CHECK IMMUNIZATION STATUS CHECK LAB TESTING * *as appropriate for history or age
Pneumonia vaccinations may start at age 65 according to guidelines.
ONCE YOU TURN 50... Your physical should be YEARLY. In addition to the procedures listed above, these annual physicals will likely include prostate and colorectal cancer screenings.
W
e all know there are certain age markers for health screenings. Sometimes it can be hard to keep up on your checklist. For women certain screenings are unnecessary. Ditto for men. Some are universal, but the age at which it becomes necessary varies. Blood pressure, cholesterol, skin cancer, who can keep them all straight? Here is your chance to catch up. For men, ages 20-49 you should have a complete check up every 1-3 years, depending on your personal risk assessment. When you turn 50, it should definitely be every year, including a physical, blood pressure screening, BMI (Body Mass Index), skin exam, testicular cancer screening, as well as getting your immunizations and blood work. Don’t be afraid to discuss any and all issues you have had over the previous year, such as suicidal tendencies, mental health issues, loss of appetite, inability to sleep, mood swings, etc. If you take your car into a mechanic and don’t tell him it shudders on the highway, he’s not going to be able to remedy the issue. The American Cancer Society recommends the PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test and a rectal exam screening starting at age 50 for men. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer behind skin cancer, so it will behoove all guys to get these done. For African
American men, or if your father, brother, or son was diagnosed with prostate cancer, you should begin these tests at 40. These factors greatly increase your risk. In women, complete checkups are also essential in the 20-49 bracket, at every 3 years. Cervical cancer screenings should begin once you reach child bearing age. Yearly mammograms should begin around 40, unless you have a history in your family of breast cancer. Then your doctor may recommend one every 6 months. As with men, don’t ever be afraid of telling your physician everything. It’s absolutely essential to good health. Women should also begin discussions about osteoporosis. If you are over 50, you are more likely to develop osteoporosis. Also, a woman’s risk is 4 times higher than a man’s. Women have thinner and lighter bones and live longer lives, which puts them at greater risk also. For women with smaller frames this risk also increases even more. Colorectal cancer saw 49,190 deaths in the year 2016. This number has deceased for 2 decades but for both men and women it is the third most common. Awareness has definitely aided in this issue, as almost all are getting tested. The most common reasons people give for not screening are: 1) Cost of the test.
DOUBLE
16
Healthy Generations • Summer 2019
