For many men, taking care of their health can sometimes take a back seat, but making time for regular checkups and preventive care is essential to staying healthy and active for years to come.
As a primary care physician, one of the most rewarding parts of my job is helping patients stay healthy rather than simply treating illness after it develops. Many of the most serious health conditions affecting men, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and several forms of cancer, can often be prevented, detected early, or successfully managed through routine screenings and regular medical care.
Men have historically been less likely than women to seek preventive care and attend routine wellness visits. While there are many reasons for that, the result
can be delayed diagnosis of conditions that are often easier to treat when caught early.
One of the most valuable things an annual wellness visit provides is a chance to “know your numbers.”
Do you know your blood pressure? Your cholesterol levels? Your blood sugar? These measurements offer important insight into your overall health and can identify risks long before symptoms appear.
High blood pressure is often called the "silent killer" because it frequently causes no noticeable symptoms while increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure. Elevated cholesterol can quietly contribute to plaque buildup in arteries for years. Diabetes may also develop gradually and go unnoticed until complications arise.
The good news is that early detection works. Identifying these conditions before they cause damage allows patients and providers to make changes that can significantly reduce future health risks. Sometimes that means medication. Often it includes lifestyle changes such as improving nutrition, increasing physical activity, managing stress, or quitting tobacco use.
Preventive care also provides an opportunity to review family medical history, discuss new symptoms or concerns, and make sure vaccinations are up to date. These conversations help physicians tailor recommendations to each individual and identify risks that may not be obvious during a sick visit. Even if you feel well, regular checkups can provide valuable information that helps keep you healthy.
Establishing a relationship with a primary care provider also makes it easier to recognize changes in your health over time. When your provider understands your health history, they can better identify concerning changes and help you address them early.
Annual visits are also an opportunity to ensure you're receiving age-appropriate screenings.
Blood pressure should be checked regularly beginning in early adulthood. Cholesterol screening generally begins around age 35 for men at average risk and earlier for those with certain risk factors, including family history, obesity, smoking, or diabetes. Diabetes screening is recommended beginning at age 35 for many adults and may be needed sooner depending on individual risk factors.
Colorectal cancer screening now begins at age 45 for adults at average risk. Colonoscopy remains one of the most effective screening tools available because it can detect cancer early and identify precancerous polyps before they become cancerous.
Men should also discuss prostate cancer screening with their healthcare provider. While recommendations vary based on individual risk, conversations about screening typically begin around age 55 for average-risk men and earlier for those at higher risk.
Younger men should be familiar with testicular health as well because testicular cancer is the most common cancer among men between the ages of 15 and 35. Men should do self-exams and pay attention to any new lump, swelling, heaviness, or change in the testicles and seek medical evaluation if something seems unusual.
and emotional well-being all play critical roles in overall health. Annual wellness visits provide an opportunity to discuss concerns that may otherwise go unaddressed and to connect patients with needed resources.
The reality is that many of the health challenges we see later in life begin developing years before symptoms appear. Preventive care helps us identify those risks early, when there is often the greatest opportunity to make a difference, so take a few minutes to schedule a wellness visit and stay current on recommended screenings.
Preventive care isn't about looking for problems. It's about protecting your health, preserving your Men's health is about more than physical health alone. Mental health, sleep quality, stress management, quality of life, and helping ensure you can continue doing the things that matter most for years to come. Small steps today, whether scheduling a wellness visit, checking your blood pressure, or talking with your healthcare provider about your personal risk factors, can make a meaningful difference in your long-term health.
John Ellison, DO, is a Primary Care Physician at Mission Hospital’s Vista Family Health Center.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Opinion: Men's health: Prevention starts with knowing your numbers
