Why Men Need to Keep Up With Health Exams

“Research has shown that a significant number of men avoid going to a doctor for routine health exams, delay important health screenings and do not talk about their mental health,” said Angelo Canedo, DO, Catholic Health Family Medicine Physician. “Men need to prioritize their physical and mental health.”

He explained that an important first step is making an appointment with a primary care physician (PCP). “Seeing a PCP and keeping up with annual exams may not seem important when we’re younger,” he noted. “But the 20s and 30s are critical ages to take care of our health to prevent or reduce the risk of health complications.”

In addition to maintaining good health for overall wellness, men have specific health concerns. For example, in the U.S.:

Prostate health. Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in American men.
Heart disease. Men are likely to develop heart disease 10 years earlier on average than women. They are also more likely than women to have a heart attack.
Stroke. Men are more likely than women to have a hemorrhagic stroke.
Diabetes. Men are nearly twice as likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than women.
Sleep health. Men are up to three times more likely than women to have obstructive sleep apnea.
Mental health. One in 10 men experience depression or anxiety, but less than half receive treatment. Suicide rates for men are four times higher than for women.
Alcohol and substance abuse. Men are more likely than women to abuse alcohol (including binge drinking) and illegal drugs.

Annual Exams

A PCP creates a medical history that helps to compare year-to-year changes. Together, you review:

Family/genetic history
Existing health conditions
Lifestyle habits
- Exercise
- Diet and nutrition
- Sleeping
Alcohol consumption
Smoking
Behavioral health
- Existing diagnosed conditions
- Stress management
- Changes in mood and behavior

Bloodwork

Your PCP will order one or more blood tests that evaluate certain markers that can help diagnose or indicate you are at risk for certain health conditions.

A complete blood count (CBC) checks the health of all cells in the body.
A lipid panel checks cholesterol levels—the amount of healthy cholesterol (HDL) and bad cholesterol (LDL and triglycerides) in your blood.
An A1C blood test checks for pre-diabetes or diabetes.
A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test measures the level of PSA in the blood to screen for prostate cancer.

Learn more about other blood tests and what your bloodwork results mean.

Health Screenings

Your PCP will recommend when you should start screening for certain cancers based on age and genetic history. Screenings can help detect cancer in its earliest stages when it is most treatable

Common screenings include:

Prostate cancer. Your PCP will advise when you should get a digital rectal exam and test your prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Learn more about what PSA levels mean.

Colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is on the rise in adults in their 20s-30s, making screenings even more important for early detection. Talk to your PCP about when you should schedule your first colonoscopy. If you are considered high-risk for colorectal cancer, you may need to get screened earlier than the recommended age of 45.

Read more about:

Lung cancer. If you currently smoke or are a former smoker, you may need a lung cancer screening. Your PCP will review the criteria with you to determine if you are eligible. Read more about lung cancer screenings.

Skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, with one in five Americans diagnosed by the age of 70. Your PCP will recommend when you should start seeing a dermatologist for an annual skin exam. Read more about skin cancer.

Cardiology testing. Routine cardiology screenings, such as an electrocardiogram (EKG) and a stress test, help to diagnose cardiac conditions. Your cardiologist may also recommend a coronary calcium score test. A CT scan of your coronary arteries identifies calcium buildup and your risk for a heart attack.

Specialized Care

Your PCP will recommend that you see a specialist for further evaluation and treatment based on several factors, such as your bloodwork results, genetic history, reported symptoms and lifestyle habits.

Behavioral Health & Substance Abuse

“The stigma of mental health can make men less likely to seek care when they feel stressed, anxious, and depressed or to talk about other symptoms they may be having,” said Dr. Canedo. “The good news is that the conversations around mental health are changing, and younger generations are prioritizing their mental health.”

He explained that talking to a PCP is a helpful first step both for talking about mental health and addressing concerns about substance abuse. “Your PCP can assess mental health and frequency of alcohol and drug use at an annual exam, but they are also a helpful partner to talk to in between exams when you have concerns,” he said. “They can recommend you to a behavioral health specialist for further diagnosis and treatment.”

Read more about:

Cardiology & Stroke Risk

Your PCP will advise when you need to start seeing a cardiologist. Common reasons to see a cardiologist include:

Annual cardiac check-up
Diagnosing symptoms that may indicate a cardiac condition
Family history of heart disease
Managing existing conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arrhythmia (AFib), and heart failure

Some types of heart disease increase the risk of stroke. Your cardiologist will advise on treatment plans and lifestyle modifications that can help to reduce your risk.

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Diabetes & Endocrinology

One in 10 Americans live with diabetes, and about one in five do not even know they have it. If your A1C blood test result shows you are in the range of prediabetes, your PCP will recommend steps you can take to prevent it from leading to Type 2 diabetes. If you live with Type 1 diabetes, routine check-ins with your PCP will help reduce the risk of developing adverse complications as you age.

Read more about:

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

Orthopedics

An orthopedist treats musculoskeletal conditions that affect the bones, joints, tendons, muscles, ligaments and cartilage. Numerous reasons can cause these conditions, including injuries, arthritis, and “wear and tear” caused by age and daily routine activities.

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Urology

Your PCP will discuss when you should start routinely seeing a urologist. Urologic health includes:

Prostate health
Urinary/bladder health
Testicular changes
Kidney health
Sexual health and fertility issues

Read more about:

Sleep medicine

Obstructive sleep apnea, more common in men than women, is associated with snoring and causes you to wake up frequently and gasp for air. It can lead to health complications like heart disease and high blood sugar. Your PCP can recommend you to a sleep specialist for further evaluation, including at a sleep center, to help diagnose sleep apnea and recommend treatment like a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.