By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Whether it’s a trait directly related to male gender or a tendency of how men care for their health, men’s health needs can be different from women’s. To safeguard and improve their physical and mental health, men and those who love them should heed these health tips from area experts:
• “Men should feel it’s OK to talk about feelings. Men stereotypically shy away from that because of cultural norms. Have someone to feel safe with and talk about things.
• “If that isn’t helpful, seek professional help if necessary, like talking with a therapist. If there’s an employee assistance program through work or a primary care provider, they can help.
• “Find things to do that line up with your purpose and passion, whether a hobby or volunteering and contributing something meaningful to the community.
• “It’s OK for men to go through periods of peaks and valleys of depression and anxiety or any sort of mental health challenges. It’s perceived as being weak, but reaching out for help takes strength and can be a support for mental health stability.”
— Matthew Drury, Licensed clinical social worker with Rochester Regional Health
• “A complete physical exam is the most efficient way to ensure one is up to date with preventive care measures.
• “Regular exercise needs to be made a priority or else other matters in life will quickly crowd it out. Ideally, one achieves 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week. Exercise naturally improves one’s mental health as well.
• “It is no secret trends of overweight and obesity continue to flourish in our society. The science to understand what is pushing this continues to evolve. No accomplishment is too small when it comes to working to break unhealthy eating habits or achieve weight loss.
• “Quitting smoking or vaping at any age offers huge dividends with health not to mention the financial savings as well. There are many supports available to assist in this journey. Quitting and then restarting is not failure but should be looked at more as a detour until the next time you are ready.
• “In simplest terms, it is recommended men consume no more than two drinks per occasion.
• “Underlying sexual behavior will determine relative risk for sexually transmitted infections. All men should be screened at least once for HIV and hepatitis C via a simple lab draw.
• “Hypertension is nicknamed the ‘silent killer,’ as so many individuals are hypertensive with no awareness. Having your blood pressure evaluated at least every couple of years as an adult is a wise choice.
• “One may develop high cholesterol as a result of genetics or diet. Get your cholesterol tested and understand where your level of risk for premature heart attack or stroke stands.
• “If one is overweight, you should consider testing for diabetes by age 40. Testing may be considered at an earlier age depending on overall risk factors including a family history.
• “The success story of vaccines in the overall progress of human health can be under-appreciated. Your primary care provider can counsel you how to be current with recommended vaccines.
• “Colon cancer screening now starts at age 45 and there are several options to choose from. If you have a smoking history, you may be eligible for lung cancer screening and abdominal aorta aneurysm screening.”
— Physician Michael Foote, UR Medicine Thompson Health’s Honeoye Family Practice
• “Do things you enjoy on a regular basis.
• “Don’t be too stubborn to make lifestyle changes that are good for health. Giving up bad habits is difficult. Be open to asking for help.
• “Spoil your loved ones. If you dedicate your life to caring for your loved ones, it’s healthy and beneficial. If you’re struggling with mood, try a new hobby. Ask a friend what he does and see if it’s something you’ll enjoy.
• “If the people in your world are worried about you, don’t dismiss their worries; get checked out. If it weren’t for wives, I wouldn’t see very many young men.”
— Physician Michael Loeb, Family medicine for Rochester Regional Health
• “There are a lot of social determinants of mental health — poverty, inequality, racism, sexism, discrimination, hopelessness and so on. Cultural progress in tackling these big challenges would improve mental health for almost everyone, including men. But these factors probably feel out of control to most people. But there are, of course, actions that individuals — including men — can take to improve their mental health: eat well, sleep well, exercise regularly, carve out time for recreation, cultivate supportive relationships, be a valuable, active member of your community.
• “Men especially need to get better at reaching out for help. Women are more commonly diagnosed with a variety of mental health challenges (major depression and most anxiety disorders, most notably). This is not because men don’t struggle; it’s because they’re less likely to acknowledge their struggles and to reach out for help. Toxic cultural norms regarding strength and masculinity are probably most to blame here. Men need to come around to the idea that reaching out for help is a sign or strength, not a sign of weakness.”
— Ryan Thibodeau, Ph.D., Professor of psychology at St. John Fisher University, board member, NAMI Rochester and licensed clinical psychologist.
• “Prostate cancer is the most common diagnosed cancer for men over 50. One in nine men will face a prostate cancer diagnosis. If you catch prostate cancer early you can live a long and healthy life. If you ignore it, you may have a more difficult diagnosis and may require more aggressive forms of treatment. To minimize the risk and severity of a prostate cancer diagnosis, you should maintain your health by following these guidelines: eat a balanced diet; exercise regularly; get adequate sleep; manage your stress; quit smoking; limit alcohol consumption; and schedule an annual physical.
• “Your doctor can order a simple PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test to determine if you are at risk of developing prostate cancer. This blood test should be done starting at age 50 so you can track your health risk over time as you age. Men with a family history of male and female reproductive cancers should be tested earlier.
• “An elevated PSA count could be a red flag to you and your doctor to determine your risk of developing prostate cancer. In addition, a digital rectal exam (DRE) is also recommended so the doctor can determine if there are any abnormalities with the prostate. Early detection is the key to a long and healthy life.”
— Mark Richardson, 10-year prostate cancer survivor and co-chapter leader of USTOO prostate cancer support group in Rochester.
Men’s Health Month is observed annually during the month of June. It’s a time dedicated to raising awareness about health issues that affect men and boys, and encouraging them to take proactive steps to improve their overall well-being.
Key objectives of Men’s Health Month include:
• Raising Awareness: Highlighting preventable health problems and encouraging early detection and treatment of diseases among men and boys.
• Promoting Healthy Habits: Encouraging men to adopt healthier lifestyles through diet, exercise, and regular checkups.
• Encouraging Preventive Care: Emphasizing the importance of regular medical screenings and check-ups.
• Supporting Men’s Mental Health: Addressing the stigma surrounding mental health issues and encouraging men to seek support when needed.
• Promoting Family Engagement: Recognizing that men’s health impacts families and encouraging loved ones to support men in their health journeys.