by RYAN MILEJCZAK
Sponsored by Central Florida Health Care
Men have unique health needs, especially as they get older. This Men’s Health Month, we’re taking a closer look at how men can better take care of their health.
Dr. Rafael Pagan-Medina, a specialist in Adult Medicine and Chronic Disease with more than two decades of experience, explains some of the most common health issues for men.
“In my experience, some of the most common issues are cardiovascular disease; cancer, including prostate, skin, and lung cancer; and insulin resistance or diabetes,” he says.
Regular screening can help catch these conditions early when they’re easier to treat. But, many men don’t get checkups as often as they should. In fact, research shows that men are as much as 50% less likely to see a doctor for regular checkups than women, and they tend to wait longer to seek care.
“I think men often avoid seeing a doctor due to social conventions,” Dr. Pagan-Medina theorizes. “To them, not going to the doctor equates to toughness and being masculine.”
While it can be tempting to play the tough guy, it’s much smarter to go see your healthcare provider regularly to stay on top of your health.
“Other than starting annual exams at age 18, I highly recommend colon cancer screening at age 45 or earlier if there’s family history,” Dr. Pagan-Medina explains. “You should also start prostate cancer screening at age 50 or earlier if you have a family history.”
Colon cancer has been a growing topic in the news lately, with a notable increase of colon cancer cases in the U.S., especially among younger patients. Because of this increase, there have been changes in the recommended screening age.
“Colon cancer screening now starts at 45; it used to be age 50,” Dr. Pagan-Medina says. “If anemia is found in a screening test, or if there are symptoms like constipation or rectal bleeding, we may also test at younger ages.”
The gold standard for colon cancer screening is a colonoscopy. While this test is daunting to many, Dr. Pagan-Medina is quick to assuage any concerns.
“A colonoscopy isn’t as daunting as many people think. It’s true that preparation is, well, a little uncomfortable,” he says with a laugh. “But a colonoscopy is a simple procedure performed by highly trained specialists, done under anesthesia, and the complication risk is very low.”
Another major concern for men, especially at older ages, is heart health.
“In my opinion, what we call a ‘healthy lifestyle,’ things like a low-sugar, low-fat diet and regular exercise, is one of the best ways to reduce heart disease risk,” Dr. Pagan-Medina explains.
This same healthy lifestyle can also help with another health issue that’s become increasingly common in public discourse: low testosterone levels.
“I’ve had a lot of patients over the age of 40 that ask for testosterone level screening tests, and I’ve been surprised to find that a lot of them have low testosterone,” Dr. Pagan-Medina says. “In my opinion, it’s caused by the same thing that leads to heart disease: a sedentary lifestyle.”
Low testosterone can have a variety of effects on the body.
“Low testosterone leads to low muscle mass, low bone density, erectile dysfunction, and also contributes indirectly to cardiovascular disease and diabetes,” Dr. Pagan-Medina explains.
Dr. Pagan-Medina also emphasizes the importance of mental health and its effects on physical health.
“Your mental health absolutely has an effect on your physical health,” he says. “Stress increases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which increase heart rate and blood pressure. Stress also causes plaque buildup in the coronary artery, contributing to heart disease.”
He goes on to underscore the importance of seeing your doctor, regardless of whether you’re experiencing concerning symptoms or just haven’t had a checkup in a while.
“Prevention is key,” Dr. Pagan-Medina says. “At annual examinations, we can identify risk factors and conditions early on so you can take the appropriate steps under medical supervision to prevent other adverse outcomes.”