Tennova Healthcare Coaches Men on Upping Their Health Game
6/6/2018
Receiving routine preventive care helps men stay in the game of life longer
Men are 100 percent less likely than women to visit the doctor for an annual exam or preventive healthcare services, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Moreover, women are twice as likely to have seen a doctor in the past two years.
During Men’s Health Month in June, Tennova Healthcare encourages men of all ages to take steps toward a healthier lifestyle. The annual observance is an opportunity to raise awareness about the role of early detection and treatment in saving lives.
“The statistics on male health don’t paint a pretty picture,” said Nilesh Patel, M.D., a radiation oncologist at Tennova Healthcare. “Men die at higher rates than women for nine of the top 10 causes of death, including cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Yet, a recent survey found that one in four men hadn’t seen a doctor in the past 12 months—and one in three didn’t even have a doctor.”
A general lack of attention to their health means men aren’t detecting diseases and serious health conditions in the early stages when they’re easiest to treat—such as cancer, which takes the lives of more than 300,000 U.S. men each year. The top causes of cancer-related deaths in men are lung, prostate, colorectal and liver cancers, respectively.
“Typically, men have shorter life spans than women, but that doesn’t have to be the case,” Dr. Patel said. “Men should be reminded that regular screenings can catch many diseases early, making treatment more effective.”
Here’s a breakdown of cancer screenings men can get to detect and treat issues early on so they can stay in the game of life even longer:
- Lung cancer: Men who are 55 to 80 years old, smoke now or have quit within the last 15 years, and have a history of heavy smoking—meaning someone who has smoked the equivalent of one pack a day for 30 years—should talk with their doctor about getting a low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan.
- Prostate cancer: Talk with your doctor about having a digital rectal exam (DRE) as well as a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Yearly prostate cancer screening should begin at age 50. Men at high risk should start screening at age 45. This includes African Americans and men who have a first-degree relative (father, brother or son) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65). For men with even greater risk—those with close relatives with the disease early in life—testing should begin at age 40.
- Colorectal cancer: Men between the ages of 50 and 75 should be checked for colorectal cancer. Depending on your age and medical history, your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy or a sigmoidoscopy, possibly combined with a fecal occult blood test.
- Liver cancer: There aren’t standard screening tests for liver cancer. However, if your doctor thinks you might benefit from a screening, he or she may suggest you have either an ultrasound or a CT scan to look for signs of abnormal, or potentially cancerous, liver tissue.
“Annual checkups should include counseling about your family health history and other risk factors that might indicate you should be screened sooner or more frequently for certain diseases,” Dr. Patel said. “Early diagnosis of prostate and other cancers greatly increases the chances for successful treatment.”
Through its Men’s Health Centers located at North Knoxville Medical Center, Turkey Creek Medical Center and Physicians Regional Medical Center, Tennova provides comprehensive care for men with genitourinary cancers, including prostate, testicular, bladder and kidney cancers. The expert team includes a nurse navigator, urologists and radiation oncologists who adhere to proven best practices and protocols of care. Services include:
- Screening and diagnosis
- Second opinions
- Specialized care for men at high risk
- Access to clinical trials
- Advanced treatment options, including robotic-assisted surgery, radiation therapy and brachytherapy
“There are many options for men who are diagnosed with cancer that can lead to good outcomes,” Dr. Patel said. “That’s why our team is well versed in all available treatments—surgery, radiation therapy and drugs that slow the growth of cancer cells—to ensure patients receive the right treatment at the right time. Our goal is not only to save lives, but to preserve the quality of life of every patient.”
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