Men'S Health Week
BINGHAMTON, NY -Each June, the week before Father's Day is celebrated as “Men's Health Week.” In 2008, Men's Health Week will be observed from June 9 – 15.
The Broome County Health Department wants you to have the facts about men's health. “Many men continue to ignore their health. Poor health education and poor health behaviors in the lives of men continue to contribute to a growing crisis in men's health,” said Diane O'Hora, Supervising Public Health Educator for the Broome County Health Department.
“Men often make their health a low priority. But many causes of illness are easily preventable. It's a fact that simple awareness of preventable health problems, and the early detection and treatment of disease, can make a profound difference in the quality of life. Early detection by such routine exams as prostate screenings, blood pressure checks, cholesterol testing, colorectal cancer screenings – even such simple tests as those for blood sugar and overweight – can play an important role in staying healthy,” O'Hora said.
“Unfortunately, many men resist seeking routine medical check-ups,” she said. “From childhood on, men are taught to minimize their health concerns. When a small boy skins his knee, he's often told 'big boys don't cry.' Later in life, when a man has chest pains, he's inclined to minimize it as 'just indigestion' because he's been taught his entire life to ignore or minimize the physical symptoms of his body. These attitudes need to change because early detection and treatment are the best ways to prevent health problems from becoming more serious,” she said.
Men are less likely than women to see a physician regularly, and are significantly more likely to be disconnected from the health-care system. They are often extremely reluctant to admit that there might be anything wrong until a problem is too severe to ignore.
This reluctance is a contributing factor in the growing health disparities between men and women. The difference in life expectancies between the genders is now more than five years.
Men have higher rates of heart disease and cancer, and higher rates of chronic problems such as high blood pressure and dangerously high cholesterol problems. These are problems that are often treatable if they are detected early. And, of course, there are problems such as prostate and testicular cancers that are unique to men. Men need to see their healthcare providers to assess their personal risks for various problems.
According to the National Cancer Institute men have a higher incidence of colorectal cancer than women and also have higher death rates from the disease. Colorectal cancer is preventable through the detection and removal of tissue growths called polyps. Men over the age of 50 should get screened or even earlier if there is a history of colorectal cancer. There is help available to men who do not have insurance to pay for the screening. For more information, call the Southern Tier Cancer Services Program at 607.778.3900.
“Men should take the occasion of “Men's Health Week” as a perfect opportunity to make an appointment with their doctor or other health care provider. A routine check-up can find a problem before its serious and contribute to a longer life with a better quality of life,” said Diane O'Hora.
For more information on Men's Health Week, call the Broome County Health Department at 607.778.3921, or visit the Men's Health Week web site at http://www.menshealthweek.org.
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Published Date: 06-09-2008
