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Although men face worse health outcomes than women, they are less likely to seek health care.
– Men die an average of five years earlier.
– Men are at higher risk for heart disease, lung cancer and suicide.
– Men are less likely to see their providers for care, including routine health screenings.
Dr. Robert Book, a family practice physician at Prowers Medical Center, would like to see those statistics improve. “Men must take the steps to take proper care of themselves and start being aware of their own health issues,” Dr. Book said. This June, for Men’s Health Awareness Month, Dr. Book has some words of wisdom for the men of Prowers County.
Schedule Your Annual Screening
Getting an annual check-up is one of the best ways to take charge of your health. Start when you’re young, and it will become a good habit. But if you’re older and haven’t been seeing your provider annually, get started now, no matter your age. There’s still time to address any potential conditions and improve your health.
At your annual exam, your provider will check your vital signs, listen to your heart and lungs, check your body for concerns like abnormal moles or lumps, review your family history and discuss any symptoms you may be having. Depending on your age, they’ll also have you do blood test screenings to check for issues with blood sugar, cholesterol, kidney function, prostate and more.
“Don’t forget to take care of yourself as well as you take care of your vehicle or tractor,” Dr. Book said. “Just as you check your oil and fluids on your vehicle, you must check your body’s fluids as well. Have your blood work checked and also your urine and stool.”
Men’s Health Month
Men’s Health Month
June is the perfect month for men of all ages to make an appointment for an annual check-up, get routine tests done, or even just to make adjustments to a healthier life.
Common health screenings for men:
• Blood Cholesterol
• Blood Pressure
• Colon Cancer
• Diabetes
• Prostate Cancer
To make an appointment to get your health on track, call Prowers Medical Center Clinic at
Remember That Many Diseases Are Preventable
Heart disease is the number one cause of death among men, according to the Centers for Disease Control. About one in four men die of it. Yet heart disease is considered a lifestyle disease because it’s largely preventable with a healthy diet and adequate physical activity. At your annual exam, your provider will review your risk factors for heart disease and help you take appropriate action where needed.
Many cancers, too, can be prevented or caught early with recommended screenings. Lung cancer, prostate cancer and colorectal cancer are the most common causes of cancer deaths in men. But the risks for all three can typically be lowered with lifestyle choices such as quitting smoking and increasing physical activity. And when detected early enough, all three can be treated with good success.
“The single most important thing a man can do for his health is to quit tobacco—chew and cigarettes—or never start using at all,” Dr. Book said.
Don’t Neglect Mental Health
Men also suffer from depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses but are less likely to seek help for those conditions than women. And men’s symptoms may be different. Men who are experiencing depression are more apt to report fatigue, irritability and loss of interest in work or hobbies, for example.
At your check-up, your Prowers Medical Center primary care provider will also review your mental health and substance use. If you’re experiencing any challenges, your provider may refer you to local mental health caregivers for further assessment and care. “Caring for your mental health is just as important as your physical health,” Dr. Book said.
Dr. Book encourages you to get started on the path to better health today by making an appointment with one of Prowers Medical Center’s primary care providers. Call 719-336-6767. Also call 719-336-8363 to register for the Prowers Medical Center Health Fair, which runs Wednesday mornings from 7 to 9 a.m. through July 26.
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