June is the celebration of Men’s Health Awareness. It is a time to think about the importance of men’s health, whether it’s your own personal health or the health of a family member, colleague or friend.
Men in the U.S. are expected to live nearly six years less than women, and non-Hispanic Black and American Indian/Alaska Native men have a lower life expectancy than non-Hispanic white men. Many diseases that disproportionately impact men, like heart disease and cancer, are preventable. Below are some of the top health issues for men and tips to prevent them:
Heart Disease and Diabetes
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the U.S. according to the CDC. If you have diabetes, you are twice as likely to have heart disease compared to someone who doesn’t have diabetes. The good news is you can lower your risk for both heart disease and diabetes by focusing on healthy lifestyle habits.
Tip: Eat healthy and exercise daily to maintain a healthy weight.
Depression and Suicide
According to the CDC, men are four times more likely to commit suicide but far less likely to be diagnosed with depression or anxiety. Asking for help can be difficult, especially for men, but without treatment, depression can make you feel isolated and withdrawn.
Tip: It’s a sign of strength to seek out help when you are not feeling your best. Talk to a mental health professional or seek out the help of your doctor. See more from Dr. Jim Horst, National Medical Director, Acute Behavioral Health in this video as he discusses the importance of talking about mental health.
Cancer
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that one in two men will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. However, there are many things you can do to prevent cancer or detect cancer early. Testicular and prostate cancer are two types of cancer that are typically treatable when detected early and men should specifically make sure to screen for these.
Prostate Cancer
More than 30 million men suffer from prostate conditions that negatively affect their quality of life.
- Over 50% of men in their 60s and as many as 90% in their 70s or older have symptoms of an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
- Each year approximately 250,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and about 34,000 will die of it this year.
- Prostatitis is an issue for men of all ages and is the most common prostate problem for men under age 50.
Tip: Get your annual physical – at this time, ask your physician about screening recommendations based on your age and family history.