Screenings can be a game-changer for your health
Special to The Island News
Men are statistically less likely to undergo preventive health screenings than women, but these screenings that keep getting put off could serve to warn you of medical problems to come.
“Starting at age 18, men should have a physical exam annually to assess their health risks, update vaccines and ensure they’re on a healthy track,” said Dr. Brad Kelly, a board-certified family medicine physician at Beaufort Memorial May River Primary Care. “During these annual check-ups, your doctor may suggest changes to your diet, exercise routine and lifestyle to keep you going strong.”
Dr. Kelly recommended, at minimum, the following screenings:
- Blood pressure: High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the big risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke — two of the leading causes of death in the United States. You can have high blood pressure and not have any symptoms. Have it checked every year.
- Cholesterol: High cholesterol is also a major risk factor for heart disease. Starting at age 35, you should have a cholesterol screening every five years. If you have a family history of heart problems or other risk factors for heart disease, you may need to be screened earlier.
- Blood sugar: Blood sugar, or blood glucose, tests are done to check for diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, 1.4 million Americans are diagnosed with the disease every year. Like your cholesterol, your blood sugar should be tested every two years starting at age 35. If you’re overweight or age 45 or older, it should be tested more often.
At age 45, men should have their first colonoscopy, considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening.
“A colonoscopy can detect inflamed tissue, ulcers and abnormal growths called polyps,” Dr. Kelly said. “Most colon cancers develop from polyps, a small clump of cells that forms on the lining of the intestine or rectum. In most cases, polyps can be removed during the colonoscopy. If the screening turns up clear and there is no family history of the disease, you don’t need to be tested again for 10 years.”
The risk of prostate cancer also increases with age. Although only 1 in 10,000 men younger than age 40 are diagnosed with prostate cancer, the rate increases as a man ages.
The American Cancer Society recommends that men discuss the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening with their doctor before deciding whether to be tested. Guidelines differ on when you should start screening, but the general recommendation is age 50 for men with an average risk of prostate cancer.
Additional screenings
“Depending on your health history and lifestyle, your doctor may recommend screenings for infectious diseases, particularly sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which are on the rise in all age groups,” Dr. Kelly said.
In addition, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently recommended that primary care physicians screen all adults for depression.
“Unless directly asked about their mood, few men think to discuss depression with their doctors,” Dr. Kelly said. “Yet it is the most common mental health condition seen in primary care.”
Bottom line
Man up and get those screenings done on a regular basis! By identifying issues early, you can take steps to reduce your risk of developing serious diseases that could take years off your life.
“Simply put, by getting your annual wellness exam, you can live longer and better,” Dr. Kelly said.
