Men should be mindful of health screenings

Men's health disparities: The gap in life expectancy

American men have a gap of more than five years in life span versus women, and while some of the difference can be accounted for by genetics, at least part of the reason is social, studies show. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality says that men are much more likely to skip routine health screenings and less likely than women to have seen a doctor of any kind during the previous year.  

An annual physical is important for men. Danielle Giddins, MD, Chief Wellness Officer at TidalHealth and a practicing primary care physician, says it can be a lifeline.  

“An annual physical allows providers and patients to establish a relationship, and a baseline, and to quickly detect when something has changed,” she said. “The lab tests that we ask our patients to have done along with their physical, such as a lipid panel or blood sugar, can give us very important information. You may feel perfectly fine while your cholesterol or blood pressure are starting to rise. For so many conditions, catching them early means we can treat them before they become a health crisis.” 

Screenings for men's health

Here are some can’t-miss screenings to help men live the healthiest and longest lives they can. 

 Physical exam: Some of the screenings that are part of a routine physical are: 

1. Blood pressure screening. Untreated high blood pressure can lead to many medical problems, including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and even eye problems. 
2. Cholesterol checks. As noted by Dr. Giddins, a cholesterol screening or lipid panel is important - especially for men, who are more likely to have high cholesterol, particularly before age 55. High cholesterol can lead to heart disease, the leading cause of death, or stroke. 
3. Diabetes screening: Men are more likely to get type 2 diabetes, at a younger age and lower body mass index, than women. Catching it early and managing it well can prevent some of the physical toll diabetes can take. If your provider orders a blood sugar test or A1C blood test, don’t miss it. 
4. Colorectal cancer screening: It’s not high on the list of 45th birthday presents, but age 45 is when colorectal cancer screening is recommended to start, and even earlier for those with a family history.  
5. Depression screening: Here’s a shocking statistic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Men make up 49% of the population but nearly 80% of suicides. Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S., and often goes untreated in men due to reluctance to talk about it, or because the symptoms may be different than expected.  
6. Prostate cancer screening: If you’re 55 to 69 years old, talk to your doctor about having a PSA, or prostate serum antigen, test. This is a simple blood test that can help detect prostate cancer.