When it’s comes men and health, the numbers don’t stack up. Compared to women, men are 24 percent less likely than women to visit the doctor, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Yet, men are 28 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure and 32 percent more likely to receive care for complication of diabetes. Pathologist and men’s health expert,Thomas Wheeler, MD, FCAP, professor and chair of the Department of Pathology & Immunology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, is available to speak on men’s health issues.
Dr. Wheeler weighs in on prostate cancer screening, among the six essential screening tests all men should receive during their lifetime.
1.Prostate Cancer Screening Test The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test was developed to help detect prostate cancer in men; however, some in the medical community have questioned whether routine screening leads to more harm than good. This controversy among experts, on whether or not to treat prostate cancer, has confused the public and caused some men to forego screening. Men, starting at age 50, should speak with their physicians about the pros and cons of screening. For those in high-risk categories, this conversation should begin at age 45.
“As a pathologist, I recommend that men receive a digital rectal examination as an integral part of their physical examination whether or not they chose to be screened with a serum PSA."
2.Blood Pressure TestIt’s a simple and painless test that could save a man’s life. It is known as the “silent killer,” because there are usually no symptoms of high blood pressure. Often, simple diet changes and regular exercise can lower blood pressure levels, but if not, the medications to control blood pressure are well tolerated and relatively inexpensive.
3.Cholesterol TestA cholesterol test also is a simple screening test and is recommended for men at least every five years, or yearly if abnormal.
4.Colon Cancer Screening Colon Cancer is the third most common cancer in Americans. Beginning at age 50, men should be screened for pre-cancerous polyps and colon cancer with testing that may include the fecal occult blood test, digital rectal examination flexible sigmoidoscopy; and colonoscopy.
5.Skin Cancer CheckAccording to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common type of skin cancer in the United States. Limiting sun exposure and receiving regular check-ups can help men avoid this common cancer as well as the more uncommon but potentially deadly melanoma skin cancer.
6.Diabetes TestMen 45 years and older should be tested for type 2 diabetes every three years. Common screening blood tests are fasting glucose and Hemoglobin A1c. Diabetes can be detected early before complications of a more advanced form of the disease set in.
“Regular check-ups and cancer screenings are simple steps men can take to live healthier lives,” said Dr. Wheeler.
About Pathologists:Pathologists are board-certified physicians who use laboratory medicine to identify and diagnose disease. Sometimes called the “doctor’s doctor,” pathologists work with primary care physicians and others on the patient care team to guide treatment plans. In fact, more than 70 percent of all decisions about diagnosis, treatment, hospital admission, and discharge rest on the pathologist's report.
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