Essentia Health encourages men to be proactive about their health
June 04, 2024 By: Caitlin Pallai
June is National Men's Health Month and is a great time to prioritize your health by scheduling an appointment with your primary care provider (PCP) and completing any screenings you might need.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death for men. However, when it comes to their health, men are less likely than women to seek preventive care or have an established PCP.
"It's about living life abundantly, with joy and hope," explained Joseph Halvorson, nurse practitioner and section chair of internal medicine at Essentia. "I tell folks all the time that there are things we can control and things we cannot. Having a relationship with a primary health care provider is an ideal way to optimize those things we can control – what we eat and drink, how we move, making space for rest and connection – and also identifying and mitigating the things we can't control through cancer screenings, assessing cardiovascular risk factors, etc."
Preventive care helps detect or avert serious diseases and medical problems before they worsen. Screening tests are an essential component of preventive care and regular screenings are strongly recommended as part of a comprehensive health care routine for men.
Recommended screenings
Regardless of age, a physical exam is recommended annually. Many health screenings, such as blood pressure and cholesterol, can be conducted during these exams.
While some screenings, such as HIV and hepatitis C, are recommended to have once, screenings for certain cancers – including prostate, colon and lung – should be performed regularly.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer causes more cancer-related deaths in the United States than any other type of cancer. Often, lung cancer symptoms don’t appear until the cancer has spread or is in an advanced stage.
You should consider a lung cancer screening, called a low-dose CT, if you are between 50-77 years old and have a 20 pack-year smoking history (one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10); are a current smoker; or quit smoking in the last 15 years.
Prostate cancer
According to the CDC, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the U.S. aside from non-melanoma skin cancer.
If you are between 50-69 years old, you should talk to your health care provider annually about a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test and rectal exam to screen for prostate cancer.
If you are an African American or have a close family member who had prostate cancer or other familial/genetic forms of cancer, you should start talking to your PCP at age 40-54.
Colorectal cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men in the U.S.
Regular screenings should begin at age 45, but you may need to start sooner if you have risk factors such as a history of colon cancer in your immediate family.
Colonoscopies are the most effective screening method, but there also are a pair of stool-based tests that can be done at home. How often you should screen depends on the type of screening you choose. Talk with your PCP to determine what is best for you.
Heart disease
Heart disease, which refers to a variety of heart conditions, including heart attack, is the leading cause of death for men in the U.S.
Men should consider a heart screening if they are over 40 and have a family history of early heart diseases and/or risk factors, including: history of tobacco use, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, physical inactivity and being overweight.
Screening tests and having an established relationship with a PCP are two key components of preventive care. By embracing a proactive approach to your health, you can ensure you are taking the necessary steps to safeguard your overall well-being.
Essentia patients may be able to see their PCP virtually or in-person, depending on their needs. To schedule an in-person visit, call (844) 663-1068. To schedule a virtual appointment, call (844) 663-1068 or log in to the MyChart app or web page.