Reprinted from the Health District's quarterly publication mailed to district residents (Winter 1999)
TOPIC: When it comes to Men's Health, Try an Ounce of Prevention
 
by kathy hayes

Ask men, even the most seemingly health-conscious, "Do you see your doctor regularly?" and the answer you're bound to get is, "Heck, no." 

"Why not?" you continue, and you'll likely hear: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Take my father, for example. Not until a friend noticed a suspicious-looking mole on my dad's back did he finally see a doctor to have it checked. By then it was too late: His body was riddled with melanoma. Within two years, at age 59, he was dead.

Sadly, the vast majority of men do not practice life-saving preventive healthcare. Most do not receive routine screenings that could prevent disease before it occurs. Most do not regularly see their doctors to discuss family medical history, risk factors and the effects of lifestyle on health. Most men are unaware that they are at risk of developing hemochromatosis, a genetic disease that is entirely preventable—if diagnosed when a man is in his 30s. 
Men's health is of national concern, reports the New York Times. Seven million men have not seen a physician in 10 or more years; the average 40-year-old man has a 50-50 chance of developing heart-disease symptoms; and many men tend to self-destruct due to rage, stress, alcohol and drug use, gambling and suicide.

But through prevention, men can change these statistics —and improve the quality of their lives. And the women who care about men can help by encouraging them to go to the doctor for a check-up.

"One of the first things a man should do is sit down with a physician and discuss his family history, medical history, health habits, exercise, diet and personal concerns to get a sense of what his risks are," advises Dr. Bruce Cooper, medical director for the Health District.

That initial discussion should take place while a man is in his 20s, but it's never too late to develop a baseline medical history. As a rule of thumb, men should see their physicians twice in their 20s, three times in their 30s, four times in their 40s, five times in their 50s and yearly after that, Cooper recommends.

"The exam at age 50 is key," he adds. Serious health problems can begin to develop at this age, but screening tests can eliminate or reduce many of the risks.

At each check-up, men should discuss their health habits: nutrition, diet and sexual practices, as well as use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs. Injury prevention, including seatbelt and helmet use, firearms and sunscreen are also important. 

Awareness of these aspects of daily living can lead men to develop healthier lifestyles that will greatly reduce their risk of injury, accidents and disease. 
How healthy are men in our community?

Local comparison

Learn results found in the Health District's 2001 Community Health Survey, which surveyed men and women in Fort Collins and northern Larimer County.

10 Strategies for Better Health

ONE
A plant-based diet will reduce your risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease and prevent obesity. Eat five fruits and vegetables each day, reduce fats and consume complex carbohydrates such as whole- grain foods.

TWO
Get regular sleep. We are a sleep-deprived society, getting 60 - 90 minutes less sleep per night than previous generations. 

THREE
 Strive for 30 minutes of exercise at least three times a week, or fit in shorter bursts several times a day. Add activity to your daily living: Park far away, climb stairs, do active work around the house and yard, take a brisk walk.

FOUR
 If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation— no more than one or two drinks daily.
FIVE
 Don't use tobacco.

SIX
 Reduce stress and your reaction to it. Exercise, meditation and anger management can help.

SEVEN
Stay connected with people and projects. Ask yourself, “what gives life meaning.” Live to add to that meaning.

EIGHT
Talk to your doctor about taking a tiny dose of aspirin daily to prevent heart attacks. Anti-oxidants such as vitamins C and E may also help reduce heart disease and cancer risk, but to date, there is no proof that these supplements really work.

NINE
Reduce your chance of injury: Always wear your seatbelt in the car, a helmet when you ride cycles and don’t ever mix drinking and driving. 

TEN
Finally, get annual dental check-ups and periodic health check-ups. Your healthcare provider will determine your risk for certain diseases and the frequency with which you should have specific screening tests and vaccinations.

"A man's best resource for prevention advice is his physician," says Cooper. He advises men to become informed about health issues and their family and personal medical histories. When they visit their doctors, they should go armed with questions. 

The Fort Collins Public Library and Poudre Valley Hospital's HealthAware Library offer vast information about prevention, as do more than 8,000 health-dedicated web sites. An example of a site developed by credible experts is the Mayo Clinic's Health Oasis.

Low-income individuals without regular physicians can meet with healthcare providers through Salud Family Health Centers and Family Medicine Center. The Aspen Club offers prevention activities for men ages 50 and older.