Heart Disease
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for men in the United States. The most common type of heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. When a heart attack occurs, blood flow to the heart is reduced or cut off.
The warning signs of a heart attack in men vary slightly from women. Chest pain is a classic male heart attack symptom which may last for more than a few minutes or, it can come and go.
Other signs to be aware of include:
- discomfort or pain in other areas, such as one or both arms, the back, neck or jaw
- shortness of breath, lightheadedness, nausea or sweating
- abdominal discomfort that may feel like indigestion
Ideally, treatments to restore blood flow to heart muscle, for example, clot-dissolving drugs or angioplasty, should begin within one hour after heart attack symptoms begin.
Some men are more at risk than others for developing heart disease. In addition to hereditary, other risk factors are high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, smoking, substance abuse, high cholesterol and lifestyle may play a role.
Preventative measures can lower the chances of having heart disease. Before undertaking any program to improve cardiovascular health, see a medical doctor. A physician may suggest a plan that includes eating certain foods, specific exercises and appropriate ways to reduce stress.
Prostate Cancer
The prostate is the gland below a man's bladder that produces fluid for semen. Prostate cancer is rare in men younger than 40. Risk factors for developing prostate cancer include being over 65 years of age, family history, being African-American and some genetic changes. Symptoms of prostate cancer may include:
- Problems passing urine, such as pain, difficulty starting or stopping the stream, or dribbling
- Low back pain
- Pain with ejaculation
Doctors diagnose prostate cancer by feeling the prostate through the wall of the rectum or doing a blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Other tests include ultrasound, X-rays or a biopsy.
Treatment often depends on the stage of the cancer. How fast the cancer grows and how different it is from surrounding tissue helps determine the stage. Men with prostate cancer have many treatment options. The treatment that's best for one man may not be best for another. The options include watchful waiting, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and chemotherapy. A combination of treatments may be used.
Colon Cancer
Cancer of the colon or rectum is also called colorectal cancer. In the United States, it is the fourth most common cancer in men and women. Caught early, it is often curable.
Colon cancer is more common in people over 50, and the risk increases with age. A person is also more likely to get it if they have:
- Polyps - growths inside the colon and rectum that may become cancerous
- A diet that is high in fat
- A family history or personal history of colorectal cancer
- Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
June is Men’s Health Awareness Month
Download the calendar from Flickr
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, agency for healthcare resources and services publishes a guide, Men: Stay Healthy at Any Age. The guide lists routine screenings and describes who should get them and when.
TRICARE also publishes many resources for beneficiaries including a list of covered clinical preventive services for men.