It's A Man Thing
While Prostate and Testicular cancers are health problems that only men can get, the potential problems don't stop there. Did you know that as a male in Dorchester County your chances of dying from heart disease are 36% higher than a woman's? Or that as a male in Berkeley County the chances of dying from lung cancer are 41% higher than a woman's? Surprised to learn that as a male in Charleston County the odds of dying from pneumonia are over 80% higher than a female? To add insult to injury, in South Carolina the rate of men dying from HIV is over 200% higher than a women's, the rate of dying from a chronic liver disease such as cirrhosis is over 100% higher than a women's, the rate of dying from emphysema is just over 150% higher for a man than a woman, and the rate of dying from a motor vehicle accident is just over 125% higher for a man than a woman.
Think this unfair? Then there is something that you can do about it. Many of these diseases are preventable with some simple lifestyle changes:
- Want to close the gap on heart disease? Watch what you eat and get more exercise. And, if you do feel pain don't wait to call 911.
- Want to close the gap on lung cancer and emphysema? Quit smoking (which will help your heart, too).
- Want to reduce the risk of getting HIV? Practice safe sex.
- Want to reduce the risk of dying in a car accident? Wear a seat belt.
- Don't want to die from pneumonia? Get vaccinated.
While women have historically been more attuned to health care, men need to realize they need screenings too in order to live longer and healthier lives. Here are a few of the medical exams all men should have in addition to regular testicle and prostate exams:
- The American Cancer Society recommends an annual skin examination for anyone aged 40 or older.
- The American Medical Association recommends that people ages 40 to 64 get their eyes examined by an ophthalmologist every two years. For those over 65, the AMA recommends yearly exams. The exams should include tests for glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts.
- The American Diabetes Association recommends a fasting plasma glucose test every three years for people aged 45 or older. If you have high risk factors (a family history of diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, are African-American, Native American or Hispanic) you may need to be tested more often.
- The American Cancer Society recommends colon cancer screenings for both men and women from age 50 on who are at "average" risk (no family or personal history of colon cancer or intestinal polyps) as follows:
- A fecal occult blood test every year
- A flexible sigmoidscopy every five years
- Double contrast barium enema every five years
- Colonscopy every 10 years
- The American Medical Association recommends a electrocardiogram every 3 to 5 years for anyone who has two or more of the risks related to heart disease (family history, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes and/or high blood pressure).
- The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends a pneumonia vaccination for anyone 50 or older.