How to Support Men's Health

Men’s Health Month is recognized each June and is a pivotal time to focus on early detection, treatment, and management of men’s health issues. Raising awareness about annual physical exams, routine health screenings, common health risks, signs and symptoms to be aware of, and healthy lifestyle choices to implement are all important ways to support men’s health. Although June is observed as Men’s Health Month, it’s crucial to prioritize and promote men’s health year-round. 

Annual Physical Exams

Scheduling an annual physical exam has several benefits, including monitoring your general health, managing existing conditions, aiding in prevention, creating a personalized care plan, and early detection. 

Cancer Screenings

Cancer screening tests are used to detect cancer before symptoms are present and are an important step to take to support men’s health. Screening aims to find cancer early when the chances of successful treatment are highest. Prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers are the three most common cancers in men, which is why getting screened is crucial in prevention and early detection. 

Knowing Your Family's Health History

Knowing your family's health history is essential to supporting your health. This information can hold important clues about your risk of developing cancer and other diseases. 

Supporting Mental Health

June also marks Men’s Mental Health Month, a time to raise awareness about the mental health struggles men face and empower men to seek professional help when needed. Men are often less likely to seek help for mental health issues due to societal stigmas, so promoting conversations about mental health and sharing tools and resources to support mental health in men is critical. 

Advance Care Planning

Although advance care planning is often associated with end-of-life planning and care, it’s important to take steps for this type of health planning regardless of what stage of your health. Advance care planning is an ongoing communication process that identifies an individual’s wishes, values, preferences, and goals regarding their future medical care if they lose the capacity to make health care decisions for themselves.

Heart-Healthy Habits

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in men in the United States, which is why protecting heart health is critical. Eating heart-healthy foods, exercising regularly, staying hydrated, reducing stress levels, and keeping blood pressure in a good range are all steps that can be taken to support optimal heart health.

At Arizona Blood & Cancer Specialists, we are dedicated to providing the most advanced, clinically proven treatments for our patients’ disease and individual needs. We understand that any illness, and especially a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Throughout our patients’ journey, our care team works tirelessly to provide critically needed emotional support for our patients, their families and caregivers. We offer a place of comfort where they feel welcome, safe, and, most importantly, supported.

Sources: 

Men’s Health Resource Center: ​​Mental Health & Well-being

CDC: About Men and Heart Disease