Men’s Health Month raises awareness about issues that disproportionately affect men. It encourages them to prioritize their well-being, undergo regular screenings, and adopt healthy lifestyles.
Be proactive about your health by keeping up with regular physicals and addressing concerns like back pain or suspicious moles. Men should consider discussing their mental well-being with trusted friends or healthcare professionals.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of male mortality worldwide. Affecting men aged 40-69 years, it typically affects their pelvic region’s prostate gland. While experts do not yet fully understand what triggers prostate cancer, many factors have been linked to its development, including age, family history, and diet; eating lots of red meat and high-fat dairy products has been found to increase risks, while fruits and vegetable consumption can decrease chances.
Not only should men make regular doctor visits part of their routine, but it’s also essential for men from underserved populations to establish routine visits as part of a preventative and early detection strategy for health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and prostate cancer. The State Health Plan offers health screenings at no cost for members – such as annual physical exams plus cholesterol, blood sugar, and prostate screenings – along with complete physical exams once annually as well as cholesterol, blood sugar and prostate screenings – the Office of Minority Health encourages these services as part of staying healthy.
Finally, men must establish healthy relationships with friends and family to reduce stress, depression, and anxiety while encouraging healthy habits such as regular physical activity and diet.
Support systems are essential in improving health outcomes, including following medical advice and seeking treatment. We urge you to join us this June in encouraging the men in your lives to take their health seriously by scheduling an appointment with their primary care doctor and including screenings in your schedule. Try to maintain a healthy weight through exercise, eating nutritious food, and avoiding smoking; don’t forget that the State Health Plan offers comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder coverage as part of its complete benefits package!
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer risk is highest for men in their late teens and 20s and typically affects germ cells producing sperm in either one or both testicles. Rarely does testicular cancer start elsewhere but spread to the testicles. Germ cell cancers can be divided into sub-categories: seminoma, neoplasia, carcinoma in situ, and teratoma.
Some symptoms of testicular cancer can include lumps or swellings in your scrotum, painful erections, or changes to your penis. If any of these occur to you, see your physician immediately.
Men tend to seek medical help less frequently than women and often delay or decline screenings for common health conditions like heart disease, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. Now is an excellent opportunity to assess your health status and explore how best to stay on track with regular screenings.
If it is time for a checkup, immediately schedule an appointment with your primary care provider or family physician. Being proactive about taking care of yourself now could save stress and illness.
Men’s Health Month is an excellent opportunity to address your physical and mental well-being. Men are less likely than women to seek professional assistance for mental health issues, so this month raises awareness and encourages dialogue regarding those feelings.
Care for yourself physically and mentally by eating well, staying physically active, and getting regular screenings. For more information on incorporating these practices into your lifestyle, visit BCBSTX’s Men’s Health page; to gain additional knowledge of screening for everyday health problems, read up on it at the CDC Men’s Health fact sheet.
Heart Disease
Men may be more reluctant than women to seek medical advice for health concerns, which may be caused by perceptions that certain illnesses “just affect men” or lack of awareness about specific ailments and symptoms. Whatever the case may be, men need to remain proactive about their well-being by regularly visiting their primary care provider and receiving all screening tests as prescribed by their provider.
Many health conditions that disproportionately impact men can be avoided by adopting healthy habits, such as exercising regularly. Some examples include:
Cardiovascular disease – heart disease and stroke – are leading causes of death among men and women in the US, contributing to one of the main reasons behind mortality rates. Risk factors for cardiovascular diseases include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, and being overweight/obese. Still, prevention strategies include maintaining a healthy weight by eating foods low in saturated and trans fat and exercising regularly.
Diabetes and cancer are also significant concerns disproportionately impacting men. By adopting healthy eating practices, engaging in sufficient physical activity, and applying sunscreen daily, men can decrease their risk for these conditions.
According to studies, Men should maintain strong relationships with family and friends. Strong bonds can reduce depression and anxiety risk factors contributing to poorer health outcomes; staying engaged in hobbies, sports, or other activities may also help strengthen this social connection.
The final steps include eating a balanced diet of whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables. Furthermore, drinking plenty of water is vital to avoiding excess alcohol consumption. In addition, men should schedule annual screenings for sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis B/C viruses, and prostate and colon cancer; most medical insurance plans, such as the State Health Plan (SHIP), provide this preventive service. For more information about scheduling an annual physical appointment, visit their website.
Mental Health
Mental well-being is an integral component of overall well-being and can be affected by and impact physical health. Emotional well-being, positive relationships, and managing life’s challenges all play a vital role in one’s mental health, along with learning new skills, being resilient in facing obstacles, and believing they can reach personal goals are some of its characteristics.
Mental illness can create severe difficulties in one’s life, from decreased work and social activities, reduced interest in hobbies, hopelessness and isolation feelings, difficulty focusing and thinking, difficulty with managing daily tasks, and even suicide attempts. There can be various causes for such disorders; most can be avoided and treated.
Mental Health Awareness Month in the US has been observed annually since 1949 to promote mental wellness and honor those recovering from mental illness. The theme for 2016 – “Better Health Through Better Understanding” – focuses on decreasing stigma while expanding access to quality healthcare and services.
Help spread awareness of Mental Health Month with tools available on our website by creating your messages and posting them online. Download our toolkit and discover how green lighting can raise mental health awareness this May and encourage community members to get tested – over 100 landmarks have already been lit green to mark Mental Health Month 2019.
