Men's Health
by D. Brett Perkins, MD

 

As a Family Physician, one of my primary goals is wellness and prevention of disease. During any examination, I assess the person's age, current medical conditions and risk factors for future medical problems. In regards to men's health, there are several medical issues unique to men. The following is the list of common conditions that every man should be screened for.

A man's blood pressure should be checked every year. The quick rule is a "top" number of less than 140 and a "bottom" number less than 90. Often local government and health organizations hold free screenings but this should not take the place of a yearly check-up by your physician.

Know your cholesterol! Cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease and should be checked yearly. Another quick rule is a total cholesterol below 200 and a LDL i.e. bad cholesterol less than 100. Your physician can usually draw the blood in his office. However, in order to get an accurate reading, don't eat anything after 12 midnight the night before the morning of the test. Read more on cholesterol

Yearly prostate exams should start between the ages of 40 and 50. There are two ways to check the prostate during a routine exam. The first is the digital rectal exam in which your physician directly examines your prostate with his finger. In conjunction with the D.R.E., a blood test called a P.S.A. is drawn. An elevated P.S.A. can indicate prostate cancer.

Testicular cancer is the most common malignancy in American men between the ages of 15 and 35. Every man should learn the proper procedure for self-testicular exams. However, self-exams should never substitute for a yearly testicular examination by your physician.

The American Cancer Society recommends that everyone should undergo a colon screening at age 50 and then every three to five years thereafter. This is accomplished with an instrument called a flexible sigmoidoscopy or alternately with X-rays of the colon. These screening are very good at detecting colon cancer and pre-cancerous polyps of the colon.

Although these are some of the major conditions that should be screened for, there are many others, which are based on your family history, current medical conditions and environmental exposures. The best way to stay healthy and prevent future health problems is to visit your physician yearly. After all, your doctor can't keep you healthy and prevent potential problems without your help and participation. So ask around or call your local hospital and find a doctor who is right for you.