Men, Focus on Your Health This June

Each June, Men’s Health Week helps raise awareness about the health challenges faced by men and promotes strategies to improve physical and mental well-being. The week is the ultimate reminder for men that it’s time to prioritize their health.

Here are simple ways to take better care of yourself:

Make sure you are up to date on your cancer screenings.

Aside from skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting men. One in eight men will be diagnosed with the disease during his lifetime. Men ages 45 to 75 should have a conversation with their doctor about the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening.

Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer among men and the leading cause of cancer-related death for both men and women. Lung cancer screenings are recommended for those age 50 and older with a heavy smoking history, those who are smokers or those who have quit within the past 15 years. If you meet the criteria, talk to your doctor about adding routine lung cancer screenings to your health plan.

Men are two times more likely than women to develop head and neck cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV) can lead to certain types of head and neck cancer. In addition to having a head and neck examination at your annual physical and an oral examination during your semiannual dental visit, Moffitt Cancer Center recommends HPV vaccination. Talk to your doctor to determine if the vaccine is right for you.

Colon cancer screenings should begin at age 45 for individuals at average risk. Those with a family history of the disease or known inherited syndromes that increase risk should be screened earlier.

Skin cancer can develop at any age regardless of gender, ethnicity, race or skin type. Routine skin checks are vital in helping spot cancerous moles.

For more on recommended cancer screenings for men, click here.

Stop smoking and using other forms of tobacco.

Smoking not only increases your risk of lung cancer, but also many other cancers including head and neck, oral, stomach, esophageal and liver cancers. In addition to lowering your cancer risk, quitting smoking can help reduce coughing and shortness of breath, decrease risk for heart disease and improve your health and life expectancy.

Keep your waist in check. 

Body mass index is a common screening tool calculated using your height and weight. The higher your body mass index, the higher your risk for certain cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and breathing problems.

Eat healthy and exercise regularly. 

Fill your diet with fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limit red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages and highly processed foods. It’s best not to drink alcohol, but if you do, men should limit consumption to two drinks per day.

Adults should engage in 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week (or 75-150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity). Striving to meet or exceed the upper limit of 300 minutes is ideal.