By Claudia Emami, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast
June is Men’s Health Month, a nationally recognized observance focused on awareness, prevention and education regarding the health of men and boys. It’s easy to get caught up in summer activities, but this is the perfect time to take charge of your health.
Statistics show that men often lag behind women in preventive healthcare. In fact, women are 33% more likely to visit a doctor than men. This gap often leads to delayed screenings and less favorable health outcomes. At Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast, we want to remind men to schedule a yearly checkup.
Your first line of defense: Primary care
One of the best ways to stay healthy is through regular visits with a primary care doctor. During these visits, your doctor will review your health and family history to recommend the right screenings and services for you.
Beyond a general physical, your doctor can order essential bloodwork to check:
- Heart health: Blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which are early indicators of heart problems.
- Diabetes risk: Blood sugar levels to identify pre-diabetes or manage existing conditions.
- Testicular health: Physical exams to check for lumps or nodules.
Understanding cancer risks and screenings
Early detection leads to better outcomes. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, and we encourage all men to discuss their risk factors with their doctor. While many believe only older men are at risk, 35% of diagnoses occur in men younger than 65.
Screening usually involves a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. For those at average risk, clinicians may offer a baseline PSA test between ages 45 and 50. However, Men of Black ancestry or those with a strong family history, should discuss starting screenings as early as age 40.
Lung cancer also remains a significant concern. At Sacred Heart Emerald Coast, we offer low-dose CT lung screenings for eligible adults between the ages 50 to 80 who are current smokers, or who have quit within the last 15 years and have a 20 pack-year history. This quick, painless imaging test takes only minutes and can find nodules when they are most treatable.
Strengthening your heart
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men in the United States. Many men don’t realize they have a condition until they experience symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath or extreme fatigue.
At Sacred Heart Emerald Coast, we offer advanced heart imaging, including heart calcium scoring. This quick, non-invasive CT scan detects plaque build-up in the arteries even in early stages, allowing you to make informed decisions about your health.
Take the next step
Prioritizing your health is a sign of strength. This month, we encourage you to embrace a diet of whole foods and aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week.
To find a doctor near you visit ascension.org/doctors.
