When it comes to going to the doctor, men are notorious for putting off those appointments until they don't feel well, or they notice something awry in their bodies. By the time they do seek medical care, they may be facing a full-blown diagnosis. 

"Routine health care screenings provide a means of early detection and ultimately prevention of various diseases," said Dr. Farris Blount, family medicine practitioner with Steward Medical Group. "With June designated as Men's Health Month, it is the perfect time to remind men to see their doctors regularly and take charge of their health."

Colonoscopy

• There are several screenings men should have annually to screen for cancers, including a colonoscopy. The age for this routine test used to be 50 but now has been lowered to age 45.
• "We're seeing a greater prevalence of men in younger age groups present with colon cancer," said Blount. "Colon cancer, when caught in its early stages, is preventable, which is why getting a routine colonoscopy is so important."
• Men should also be regularly screened for prostate cancer starting between ages 45 and 50 with a prostate-specific antigen test (PSA). A physician can easily order a PSA test along with other bloodwork.

Cardiovascular Tests

• Cardiovascular tests, including blood pressure and cholesterol levels, should be done regularly to detect for signs of heart disease.
• “Blood pressure is sometimes known as the ‘silent killer’ because it can be elevated without someone presenting any symptoms,” said Blount.

Glucose 

• Diabetes is another condition that may not present with any symptoms in its early stages. A simple blood draw to test your A1C or level of glucose in your blood over the last three months can determine if you're headed towards a diagnosis of diabetes.
• "When a person develops diabetes, it's a significant comorbidity and if not managed properly can cause lots of additional health care concerns down the road, "said Blount.

Vaccinations

• In addition to health screenings, men should also make sure they are up to date on their vaccinations.
• "The COVID-19 pandemic has put a renewed emphasis on vaccinations," said Blount. "Men should make sure they are vaccinated against the flu on an annual basis and not neglect their immunization history, including shingles and tetanus vaccinations."

Just as men perform maintenance on their vehicles every 5,000 miles, men need to take care of themselves with regular health care screenings, eating a healthy diet, sleeping well, and getting plenty of exercise.

"Men need to take care of themselves so they can care for the many loved ones that depend on them," said Blount.

Join us on Saturday, June 19 for our Tune Up for Life, Men's Health Event complete with free health screening, classic cars and more: https://bit.ly/3feCdJi

Take time for your overall health, if you need to schedule a health check for yourself or a family member you can schedule an appointment with Dr. Blount today by visiting, https://bit.ly/2RsNUUN