June 1st was an important date as it marked the beginning of Men’s Health Month. The entire month of June is dedicated to the awareness, prevention and education of diseases that can strike a man at any age. The goal of Men’s Health Month is to generate the awareness of the unique health challenges that men and boys face and encourage them to seek health care to prevent serious health issues before they become life-threatening.

Did you know that according to recent studies men are over 24 percent less likely than women to visit a doctor in the past year? Men experience different health issues that women, however they are no less serious. Heart disease, cancer and unintentional injuries are among the top causes of death for men. When we talk about cancers the most commonly diagnosed cancers are prostate, lung and colorectal cancers. Men are even at a greater risk to die from heart and liver disease more often than women.

Many health risks can be prevented with simple, yet effective life changes. Here is a small list of simple and effective changes that can make a world of difference.

• Be more physically active.
• Make healthy food choices.
• Get to your healthy weight and stay there.
• Become tobacco free.
• Drink only in moderation.
• Manage stress.

Encourage the men in your life to monitor their health. Seeking the advice of a health care professional can help, as can regular screenings. Here are just a few of the things that can be monitored regularly:

• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol
• Diabetes (blood sugar)
• Mental health issues (depression, anxiety, etc.)
• Weight

This June make it a point to talk to the important men in your life. The old saying goes “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and by doing your part to make sure that the men in your life visit their primary care physician you are saving lives. Take control during Men’s Health Month. It’s a chance to increase awareness of any potentially significant health problems.

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