June 19, 2015

Top 6 Screenings for Men’s Health

We all know that there are certain parts of our health we can’t ignore — whether it’s getting an annual health check-up, going to the dentist every 6 months, or picking up a prescription you may need to take. But what about those medical checks that we don’t need to routinely have? How many people actually go to the doctors when they notice something different about their body? It is not a secret that men are less likely to see their doctors on a regular basis than women. However, skipping that visit to the doctor can leave you unprotected and unprepared for some conditions that might already be harming your body without your knowledge. While most men think they do not need to visit their doctor because they feel perfectly fine, prevention is the key to maintaining your body’s greatest health.

Men, here are the top 6 men’s health screenings you should have done as soon as possible.

Blood Pressure Test

The National Institute of Health recommends that men between the ages of 18 and 64 be screened at least once every two years. Depending on how high the results of the test are, your doctor may advise for more frequent testing. Jennifer Landa, MD, a preventative medicine specialist explains, “The optimal blood pressure ranges are getting tighter. Optimal is now considered less than 120/80, and 110/70 has been shown in some studies to be the blood pressure associated with better clinical outcomes.”

Cholesterol Test

This test is a simple blood test that should be done once every five years. If you are over 45 years old, at a high risk of heart disease or have high levels of “bad” cholesterol levels, you may need more frequent testing. Optimal cholesterol is less than 200 milligrams per deciliter. Visit your doctor to go over your families medical history to see if you are at a high risk of developing heart disease or high cholesterol.

Prostate Cancer Screening

A prostate cancer screening is done by measuring the level of PSA in the blood. An optimal level is usually considered to be under 4ng/mL. Landa notes, “The necessity of the PSA test has recently been questioned, but since its institution, we have seen a 40 percent decline in the rate of prostate cancer. On the other side of the coin, because the test is not specific for just prostate cancer and PSA levels can be raised by other conditions, some question whether it leads to unnecessary intervention when there is a false positive.” Another screening option for this test is a digital rectal exam, where the doctor physically checks the rectum for signs of cancer. Speak with your regular physician about which method is best for you.

Colon Cancer Screening

Perhaps one of the most avoided screenings by men (and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States) is colon cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, “103,170 new cases of colon cancer will be diagnosed this year – more than half of which will be in men.” With these terrifyingly high numbers, doctors recommend men getting checked for colon cancer by the age of 50. While many men are reluctant to undergo this procedure, they can be fairly easy to obtain. There are different methods to screen for colon cancer – a colonoscopy (checking the entire colon with a camera and flexible tube), a flexible sigmoidoscopy (checks just the lower third of the colon with a camera and flexible tube), a CT colonography (less intrusive and uses a computer to scan), a CT scan, or a double-contrast barium enema (involves filling the colon with a contrasting substance to help doctors see problems on an x-ray scanner). Robert T. Grant, MD, a surgeon with New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, says, “Beginning at age 50, men should receive a flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years, a colonoscopy every 10 years, a double-contrast barium enema every 5 years, or a CT colonography every 5 years.”

Skin Cancer Screening

Dr. Grant explains, “Men are actually two to three times more likely to get non-melanoma basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers than women are, and their risk increases as lifetime exposure to sun accumulates. About every three months, men should do a self-examination for new or changing skin lesions.”

8 Steps For a Skin Cancer Self-Exam

“When conducting a self-exam, you must be alert for changes to your skin. Anything that hurts, itches or bleeds can be a sign. Skin growths, birthmarks that have grown in size, and a mole that is darker than before are all things to look for. You need a full-length mirror, a hand mirror, a chair or bench, and bright lighting:

Start with your face, nose, lips, and ears. Use a hand mirror to check the back of your neck.
Inspect your scalp using a blow dryer.
Check your hands and arms from each fingernail up to your elbows.
Face the full-length mirror and raise your arms over your head to see the underarm area.
Now look at your neck and chest area; women should examine the creases beneath the breasts.
Face away from the full-length mirror and use the hand mirror to look at your back and shoulders.
Now use the hand mirror to inspect the back of your buttocks and legs.
Finally, sit down and examine the insides of your legs, genitals, front of legs, feet, toes, toenails, and the soles of your feet.”

Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that leads to various other conditions like heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and blindness. When testing for diabetes, your physician will most likely use a blood test known as a fasting plasma glucose test. Consult a doctor for a screening as soon as possible, especially if you have a history of diabetes in your family.

Source: http://www.everydayhealth.com