A Message for Men: Don’t Put Off Those Important Screenings

Historically, women are far more attentive to recommended health screenings than men who have a tendency to delay important health check-ups, especially if they “feel just fine.” There are, however, silent conditions that can develop and grow worse, which is why it’s important for men to be proactive in maintaining their health and to get those screenings, which include: 

Blood Pressure and Heart Health

High blood pressure contributes to the risk of heart disease or a heart attack, and is often called the silent killer, as there are few, if any, symptoms. It’s recommended that you have your blood pressure checked at least once a year, and more often if you are diabetic or have kidney issues. Your annual physical with your primary care provider is the ideal time for checking blood pressure, and they can prescribe a wide variety of medications that can help control it and prevent hypertension.  

Prostate Health 

Waking up to relieve your bladder once or twice a night is a familiar ritual for most men over 50, and while many may accept this as a sign of aging driven by the benign enlargement of the prostate, it’s important to closely watch the frequency of these bathroom visits and the sometimes-uneven flow you may experience. 

Additionally, a prostate cancer screening is highly recommended, and can be done through a simple blood test called a Prostate Specific Antigen test or PSA. It measures the level of the PSA protein produced by your prostate gland. While higher levels can indicate cancer, elevated PSA can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions like an enlarged prostate or infection. Most medical organizations, including the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggest men aged 55 to 69 discuss the pros and cons of screening with their doctor. African American men or those with a family history of prostate cancer may want to begin these discussions earlier, usually between ages 40 and 54. 

Colon Cancer Prevention 

You’ve seen the ads all over TV for easy colon cancer screenings through a stool sample kit or a blood test, but the gold standard for preventing colon cancer or detecting it early while it is still treatable is the screening colonoscopy. It’s recommended for adults 45 and older, with intervals from 10 years to annually, depending on what is found, or not found in the first screening.  

Lung Cancer Screening 

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US, but the number of new cases continues to decline, partly due to fewer people smoking or starting to smoke, as well as groundbreaking robotic technologies that have transformed how medical professionals detect and treat lung cancer. 

Before this technology, lung cancer detection relied on a traditional manual bronchoscopy process to biopsy small lung nodules. However, this method often produced suboptimal results, prompting medical teams and researchers to develop and adopt innovative robotic technologies.  

Why These Programs Matter 

If you are over 50 and smoke or previously smoked, you may be eligible for a low-dose CT chest scan as part of a lung cancer screening which can be arranged with your primary care physician. Among roughly 10,000 patients enrolled in Berkshire Health Systems’ lung cancer screening program, only about 4% require a biopsy or other invasive procedures.  

Primary Care

Your Primary Care Provider is at the front line of your health. Annual visits, or intervals recommended by your PCP, are critical to maintaining good health and wellness. They may recommend regular blood tests, which are essential in detecting potential health concerns like Diabetes and other chronic conditions, and your provider can recommend the health screenings you need to stay healthy.

^{This information is provided as a service of Berkshire Health Systems and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent conditions or offer any medical advice.}