Men’s Health Wake-up Call – Why You Need a Checkup ASAP

Sophia L. Thomas, DNP, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP

This month, Movember is taking men out of their comfort zone to talk about something many spend their whole lives avoiding — their health. Women are 33% more likely than men to see a health care provider and 100% more likely to get an annual checkup, which helps explain why women live longer. Even more troubling, men are conditioned to avoid symptoms and skip out on screenings that could save their lives. Here are six reasons you need a checkup ASAP:

1. Men are more likely than women to get type 2 diabetes, often because men have no idea they have it.
2. The average age at testicular cancer diagnosis is 33, and early detection is critical.
3. More than 30% of men will experience depression, and men are four times as likely as women to commit suicide.
4. Nearly 200,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and survival rates range from 98% to 26%, depending on the stage when diagnosed.
5. The average age for a man’s first heart attack is 66.
6. Approximately 12% of men are in fair or poor health.

Too many men avoid health issues, and they pay the price. A quick checkup can help identify risks and chronic problems and put you on a path to better health. If you’re overdue, make an appointment today!