Men's Health Month – bringing the awareness to health issues

The most common diseases among men are caused by both unbalanced and addictions (smoking and alcohol drinking). These factors significantly increase risk of developing civilization diseases such as cancer, abnormal cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and diabetes. Moreover, the occurrence of one of them may favor the development of other health conditions. Due to the reluctance of men to visit the doctor, diseases are very often detected at advanced stage - when their treatment is difficult, and sometimes even impossible.

Therefore, the first step to minimize the risk is to introduce a balanced diet and to quit smoking (read more about quitting smoking in our article: How to quit smoking? 5 tips that will help you). An active lifestyle also plays very important role, ensuring that you maintain proper condition and weight. However, the most important thing, is to see your doctor regularly and to undergo regular screening tests.

Cancer

Usually, cancer does not cause any symptoms in the initial stage. That’s why you cannot wait for them to appear, and you should perform regular health checkups that include cancer detecting tests.

Lung cancer

In most cases, cigarette smoking is the cause of lung cancer development. Not only smokers are exposed to its negative impact, but also those around them who are exposed to smoke inhalation for a long time. The best way to prevent lung cancer is to quit smoking altogether and avoid smoking. As for the tests, they should be performed every year by people over 55 years of age who have smoked for many years, by people who have quit in the last 15 years and by smokers in general. Usually, the doctor advises such people to perform computed tomography. Due to the frequency and harmful effects of X-rays, it is best to perform a low-dose tomography (LDCT).

For more on lung cancer prevention and screening check: Lung cancer: the most common cancer in men

Prostate

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men. It is characterized by a relatively slow growth, but some types develop faster. Screening for neoplastic lesions includes digital rectal examination (DRE), and sometimes a prostate specific antigen blood test (PSA). Usually, if you are 50 years old or younger, testing for prostate cancer is not necessary. However, it is recommended that younger men should be tested - starting from 40 years old, in the case of a family history of prostate cancer.

Colorectal

In most cases, colon cancer develops from initially harmless polyps that grow on the surface of the epithelium. The Mayo Clinic recommends that colon cancer screening should be performed for the first time when you reach the age of 50, or 10 years before the age your closest relative was diagnosed. This means that a person whose parent has been diagnosed with cancer at the age of 55 should start screening as early as age 45. The most popular method of diagnostics in this case is colonoscopy, which can effectively identify both cancer and polyps (which in many cases are a precancerous condition).

Testicular

Testicular cancer is a relatively rare cancer (it accounts for 0.8% of cases worldwide), but it is closely related to gender. It can develop at any age - most often in men between 20 and 54 years old. Routine self-examination is recommended to detect changes - lumps, bumps or any change in shape or size of testicular.

High blood pressure (Hypertension)

This condition is closely related to factors such as lifestyle, age and weight. High blood pressure can contribute to the development of many other conditions, mainly related to the heart, and it can cause stroke. As the Mayo Clinic points out, blood pressure control should be carried out at least every two years. Screening for this condition includes measuring blood pressure by a blood-pressure monitor (also known as a sphygmomanometer). It shows two very important numbers - first of them stand for pressure in the arteries during heart beat (during its contraction), and second is the pressure between each heart beat (during diastole of the heart).

Cholesterol levels

There are two kinds of cholesterol - LDL which is “bad”, and HDL the “good” one. The way to find out their level and ratio is taking a blood test. High LDL cholesterol levels in blood build up in the arteries and eventually can block blood flow. It can lead to stroke or heart attack which are life-threatening. The Mayo Clinic recommends that men undergo screening under this account every 5 years after the age of 18. People who are at higher risk include those with a family history of high cholesterol or a heart attack, and who smoke, are overweight, have diabetes and are not eating properly. To minimize the risk, you should eat a healthy diet, stay active, and have your cholesterol levels checked regularly.

Diabetes

If it’s uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to many serious health problems such as kidneys disease, blindness and stroke. The most common marker for detecting any abnormality is glucose level that can be measured during a standard blood test The main risk factors is age over 45 and BMI over 25 (regardless of the age). It is recommended to get tests every three years. People who are in higher risk group - having high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure - should have such test more often. Symptoms of diabetes and pre-diabetes may appear unnoticed, so it is very important to check your blood sugar level regularly. If detected at an early stage, it can be easily controlled, by well-balanced diet, medications and exercise.

Mental health

You should take particular care of it at any age. Your mental well-being is important because it determines how you will function on a daily basis. Many mental illnesses also contribute to the slow deterioration of physical health. It is very important that you watch yourself, especially when you are burdened with a lot of stress, which is one of the risk factors for a heart attack. Pressure (including social pressure) can cause the development of many mental disorders that hinder everyday functioning, such as neurosis or depression. Feeling constantly tired and unmotivated isn't always the result of hard work. This may mean the presence of depression - a very serious civilization disease that affects not only your life, but also the lives of your loved ones. Dealing with it on your own is very difficult and mostly impossible, so it is worth seeking help from a specialist.

When to make an appointment with a doctor?

Screening tests are worth doing, even if you feel good, and you feel full of strength, it is worth doing. You should also make an appointment with the doctor as soon as you notice any disturbing symptoms. Underestimating them may lead to the uncontrolled and rapid development of many diseases. Thanks to their regular visits to doctor’s and screening tests, it is possible to detect many diseases on early stage, therefore when they can by still treatable.