Regular Health Screenings Can Help Keep Men Well

Balancing a busy career, family and personal life can leave men with little time to even think about their health, let alone schedule (and keep) an appointment for their annual health screenings.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regular exams and screenings can help save lives. They can help find problems early, when the chances for treatment, and perhaps even a cure, are better.

That’s why, during Men’s Health Month, St. Joe’s would like to encourage you to care for yourself — and the men in your life — by reminding you of the importance of regular health screenings.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) and prostate problems are unique to men. According to the National Institutes of Health, as many as 30 million American men have ED, and benign prostatic hyperplasia is the most common prostate problem for men older than age 50.

Some health issues occur more commonly in men than in women, such as coronary heart disease, lung cancer, HIV infection, and Parkinson’s disease.

The National Institutes of Health lists the tests and screenings that experts recommend for men at various stages of their lives:

Common Health Screenings and Physical Exams for Men Ages 18-39

  • Blood pressure
  • Cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Dental Exam
  • Eye Exam
  • Vaccines
  • Infectious Disease Screenings
  • Testicular
  • Skin self-exam

Common Health Screenings and Physical Exams for Men Ages 40-64

In addition to those above, this age group should have the following:

  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Lung Cancer
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Osteoporosis
  • Skin

Common Health Screenings and Physical Exams for Men Ages 65 and Older

In addition to those above, this age group should have the following:

  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (especially for patients who have been smokers)
  • Hearing

Federal law requires that all health insurance plans cover specific preventive care services, including vaccinations, some disease screenings and certain types of counseling. In addition to participating in annual screenings, having a primary care physician (PCP) who can coordinate your care is vital to your good health.

A PCP typically specializes in family medicine, internal medicine or general practice. If you don’t have a PCP, it’s easy to find one. Just visit your insurance carrier’s website, look for the “find a doctor” area and follow the instructions.

St. Joe’s is committed to providing resources that promote well-being though body, mind and spirit and is dedicated to helping you live a healthy life.

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