How to encourage men to get regular checkups?

According to the data of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men decide to undergo preventive health screening much less frequently than women. Men are also more difficult to convince to change their approach. They often postpone the visit to the doctor both for health checkups, and when they notice disturbing symptoms. Avoiding visiting a doctor puts at risk health, so despite the resistance, it is worth trying to persuade a man to change his attitude. So, how to convince a man to undergo preventive examinations?

Why don't men want to get health screening?

The most common reason is simply fear. Men often find it difficult to admit their weakness. Many of them still believe that health problems are a sign of being unmanly. Prophylactic examinations for men are considered by many as an unpleasant duty. For some of them it is associated with admitting weakness, and in others it throws fear of discovering a serious disease up. Awareness of the negative emotions that a diagnosis can trigger is one of the main reasons why men are so reluctant. Most often they go to the doctor only when the symptoms worsen to an extent that they become simply bothersome. Usually, treatment is then much more complicated than it would be if the disease had been detected at its early stage.

How to encourage men to get checked?

Convincing a man to perform even basic examinations is sometimes an extremely difficult task. How to encourage a man to get screening tests? The best way is to present all the most important facts about male health and prevention. Here are some tactics to follow:

• Expressing concern for a loved one is one of the most effective motivations. Highlighting this aspect during the conversation will help him understand how important his well-being is to you. Visiting a doctor's office does not mean another unpleasant duty, but only a way to enjoy good health for years to come.
• Serious medical conditions can be detected by accident. Even an inconspicuous change in body may turn out to be something more serious. Quick detection of the problem at an early stage allows to quickly take appropriate action and thus increase the chances of a complete recovery.
• Set a good example. What does it mean? If you try to persuade a man to see a doctor while avoiding it yourself, it will surely be taken as hypocrisy. If you also take care of your health, it will certainly be easier to convince a man to do so as well.
• When talking to a man resistant to arguments, it is also worth noting that the risk of many serious diseases increases significantly with age, which, however, does not change the fact that you can also get sick at a lot younger age.

The only thing that should be avoided is constant nagging and reminding about getting health checkup. Despite your good intentions, it can be taken very badly, resulting in getting annoyed and eventually total discouragement of your beloved man.

Prophylactic examinations for men

Prophylactic examinations for men are a way to detect various abnormalities in the functioning of the body. Among the basic preventive examinations for men there are blood count tests and urine tests. Men in a group of higher risk, e.g. due to smoking, should also undergo tests that will allow for early detection of neoplasms. It is worth remembering that the scope of the recommended tests varies depending on many factors, such as already diagnosed diseases, age, weight, and lifestyle.

Health checkup for men in 30s

Very important for this group of men are basic tests – complete blood count test and urine tests, which should be performed every year and at least every 2-3 years. Men over 30 should also have a lipid profile test that measures total cholesterol, HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL (bad cholesterol) every 3-5 years. It is also very important to control blood pressure, which should be performed at least once a year. Men in their 30s should at least once a month also perform a testicular self-examination.

Health checkup for men in 40s

The list of tests that a man should do after reaching 40 is a bit longer. It is still necessary to regularly perform basic tests – complete blood count test and urine tests, blood pressure measurement and self-examination of the testicles, which allows for early detection of prostate cancer. It is also recommended visiting a GP every few years. In addition, men should undergo a cardiovascular risk assessment at least every 5 years, accompanied by a SCORE calculation. Another test that should be performed by a man after the age of 45 is the measurement of fasting glucose.

Health checkup for in 50s

In this age group, a basic test package is also performed, and it includes blood count, urinalysis, fasting glucose and lipid profile tests. The obligatory examination also includes the monthly self-examination of the testicles. Men over 50 should undergo tests aimed at the early detection of prostate cancer. These include the concentration of the PSA antigen (consult your doctor before testing) and digital rectal examinations. At this age, men significantly increase the risk of colorectal cancer, so each year they should have their feces tested for occult blood. They should also have a colonoscopy every 10 years.

What hormone tests for men?

Hormonal tests for men are most often recommended due to the reduction of sex drive, erection and fertility problems. However, abnormal hormone levels can signify the development of other, often more serious, medical conditions. What hormonal tests for men are worth doing? The hormones tested may include testosterone, estrogen, lutein, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, progesterone, estradiol (E2), dehydroepiandrostenedione sulfate (DHEA-S). Abnormal testosterone levels can also be caused by a tumor of the testes or adrenal glands, while in the case of follicle-stimulating hormone, it can be caused by both a tumor of the testes and the pituitary gland.