‘No Shave November’ may be over, but the importance of men’s health issues isn’t. Intermountain Healthcare doctors say continued awareness of routine screenings and preventive health habits is always important.
In the past, prostate cancer, high cholesterol, blood pressure issues, and colon cancer may have been considered concerns for only older men. But new studies, and new screening techniques are highlighting the need for men to check in regularly with their physician to maintain good health throughout their lives.
“Previously, age 50 was sort of the magic number to come in and screen for prostate and colon cancers,” said Erik Richardson, DO, family physician at Saltzer Health, an Intermountain Healthcare Company. “But those ages have changed and often, earlier is better, depending on your family history.”
For some patients, regular bloodwork to monitor cholesterol levels should be conducted for men starting in their 20s, with screenings for colon cancer at age 45 or earlier. For prostate cancer the screening age depends on the patient’s medical history.
“The truth is, you’re safest doing just what we were programmed to do when we were younger — yearly medical check-ups,” said Dr. Richardson, though he admits this can be a tough sell for many men.
Often, the stereotype of men not being proactive in their health screenings seems to be accurate, according to Dr. Richardson, but as men get older that can start to change.
While a lot of men in their 20s and 30s still feel young enough to be invincible, Dr. Richardson said the benefit of being proactive with even the most basic health screenings can improve the quality and longevity of life.
“Being proactive about your health when you’re younger can have major benefits down the line,” said Dr. Richardson. “You don’t want to wait until your retirement to start focusing on your health because in some cases the problems might be too late to fix.”
Two of the major preventative screenings many people think of for men are prostate and colon cancer screenings, both of which Dr. Richardson said are extremely important.
However, he also said men need to think about their heart health — cholesterol, blood pressure and weight — as well as keeping an eye on signs of diabetes.
Dr. Richardson also reminds everyone that vaccinations aren’t just for children. Adults need to be caught up on pneumococcal, hepatitis, shingles, and of course, influenza vaccines.
“Yearly visits don’t have to be long complicated, but it’s also a time when men can speak honestly with their doctor about both their physical and mental health,” said Dr. Richardson. “A physician can ensure men are getting the help they need.”
Dr. Erik Richardson is a family medicine physician who provides care for patients of all ages in the Saltzer South Meridian clinic, an Intermountain Healthcare company. For more information or to find a Saltzer Health physician near you, click here.
About Intermountain Healthcare
Headquartered in Utah with locations in eight states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Healthcare is a nonprofit system of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, medical groups with some 3,900 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a health plans division called SelectHealth with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For more information and updates, click here
