June is Men's Health Month – It is a time to increase awareness and encourage early detection and treatment of diseases that affect boys and men.
June is Men's Health Month – It is a time to increase awareness and encourage early detection and treatment of diseases that affect boys and men.
When we are children our parents make regular visits for us to see the doctor to get vaccines, get our weights and heights checked. However, there is a perception that going to a physician is only for the young and very old. Studies suggest that women make more regular appointments than men. Hence, it is important to raise awareness amongst men that they are at increased risk for certain diseases such as cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer. These disorders if picked up early will reduce the risk of getting worse if picked up early. About 21% of men admit to avoiding the doctor because they are afraid to discover what may be wrong. The pressure to conceal any kind of weakness runs strong and is a concept that comes with upbringing that men should be invincible heroes such as Captain America and Thor.
Let’s disabuse ourselves of these stereotypes and get to the doctor and seek help for our ailments and what may not be yet a major problem but could be if ignored.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers amongst American men and screening can help doctors monitor this slow growing cancer and contain its ill effects early.
Men and women occupying similar social roles are equally likely to smoke but men are significantly more likely to drink 'heavily'. Men are more likely than women to smoke, smoke more cigarettes per day and smoke hand-rolled tobacco.
Raising awareness of these issues that are affecting both men and women and addressing them at physician visits or seeking help will prevent many deaths related to alcohol and tobacco use.
Mental health stigma results in many men not seeking the help they need for depression and anxiety. As I recently saw the episode of Ted Lasso on Apple, it was a great way to make aware that even soccer and football coaches can suffer from anxiety that can be extremely debilitating. The American Psychological Association reports that 30% of men have suffered from depression in their lifetime.
Talking about mental health problems to experts helps dispel any stigmas so that men can get help for this important issue that they may be reluctant to bring up.