Men's health in focus
For male readers and the women who love them: June 11-17, 2012, is Men's Health Week. Born of a congressional resolution in 1994, the program heightens awareness of common and preventable health problems, and gives care providers an excuse to encourage men and boys to take better care of themselves and seek early treatment.
As the resolution states, men are far less likely than are women to seek physician advice. They also seek it later, making some preventable health issues or outcomes much worse than need be.
Diseases which fall in this category include prostate cancer and lung disease. If treatment is sought early, survival rates are very good. Unfortunately, they're lower than need be. Other findings about men's health include:
* Despite advances in technology and research, men continue to live an average of seven years less than women.
* One in six men will develop prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. It's the second leading cause of death in men, behind lung cancer; colon cancer ranks third. The prostate cancer death rate has improved from 1 in 3 diagnosed (stated in the 1994 resolution) to 1 in 36, thanks in part to better detection.
* Testicular cancer is among the most common cancers for young men, ages 15-34. When detected early, it has the highest rate of cancer survival.
* Men are seven times as likely as women to be arrested for drunk driving and three times as likely to be alcoholics.
* Women visit the doctor 150 percent as often as men, enabling them to detect health problems in early stages. Men's Health Week was designed to narrow that gap.
* Appropriate use of tests such as Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) exams, blood pressure and cholesterol screens, along with clinical exams and self-testing (e.g., for testicular cancer), can result in early detection and increase survival rates as high as 100 percent.
Heard of andropause? We hear a lot about menopause, but men go through their own version of "the change." Awareness can make living with symptoms of losing testosterone - including depression, bone loss, blood circulation changes, even possible dementia - much easier. Andropause is less recognized in the U.S. than in Europe and Canada, but is slowly gaining ground.
What can a man do to prevent common health problems? Doctors' prescriptions are largely the same for both sexes - less fat and sugar in the diet, more vegetables and fruits. Healthy weight and exercise, and more of it each year past 35.
Don't smoke. Drink seldom and in moderation. Get the recommended cholesterol, blood, and cancer screenings (e.g., PSA and colonoscopies). The cost spent on testing is far less than treating disease. Check with your doctor first as individual needs vary, but some docs also recommend a baby aspirin daily.
Finally, meditate, or the equivalent. One son has discovered hiking alone, which improves his stress level (and associated BP), and just makes coping with life easier. The time dedicated to quiet relaxation is more important than the chosen method. It's amazing what simple stress reduction can do for a man's (or woman's) health.
Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Email sholehjo@hotmail.com.