June is Men’s Health Month which is celebrated across the globe to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of diseases among men and boys. As a primary care physician, by appropriate preventive care, we can lessen future health decline in men.
Health conditions that men should be screened for include:
- Cardiovascular health (heart and blood vessels) including high blood pressure
- Cancer screening including prostate cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer
- Diabetes
- Mental Health & Well-being
- Prostate Health
- Sexual & Reproductive Health
A number of measures can be taken to prevent cancer, including:
- Avoidance of tobacco
- Being physically active
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in saturated/trans fat
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Protecting against sexually transmitted infections
- Avoiding excess sun
Every man over 20 years should undergo cardiovascular risk assessment every three to five years as per the American Heart Association.
The major risk factors for heart and blood vessels diseases include
- Diet
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol and triglyceride
- Obesity
- Physical activity
- Diabetes Mellitus
Dr. Fatemeh Aghanasiri
General Practitioner
Aster Clinic, Arabian Ranches
