Men face several preventable health risks that can significantly impact their quality of life if left undetected or unmanaged. Promoting awareness, regular screenings, and healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent chronic conditions and support long-term well-being.
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Prostate cancer occurs in the gland cells of the prostate. The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland in males that is responsible for producing seminal fluid (semen).
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men (other than skin cancer). Approximately one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Although this cancer can be serious—being the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in American men—it is very treatable when detected in its early stages.
The American Cancer Society reports a greater than 99% five-year relative survival rate for prostate cancer that has not spread outside the prostate. So, like with many cancers, early detection is key!
Risk factors of prostate cancer include:
Below are some symptoms associated with prostate cancer.
Please note that it is important to discuss these symptoms with your doctor because many symptoms can be associated with other conditions like a urinary tract infection.
A common test for prostate cancer is a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test. A PSA test is a blood test that can help detect if there is a problem with the prostate, where the higher the number, the greater the chance of you having prostate cancer. PSA can be elevated for other reasons besides cancer and a biopsy may be recommended to confirm the presence of prostate cancer.
The U.S. Preventative Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that men 55 to 69 years of age should discuss prostate cancer screening with their provider and its potential benefits and harms. Routine screening is not recommended for men 70 years and older.
Treatment for prostate cancer would be at the discretion of you and your doctor.
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Excluding skin cancers, Colorectal cancer is the third-most-common cancer in men and women with men’s rate being slightly higher than women’s. Sometimes, abnormal growths called polyps form in the colon or rectum. Over time, some polyps may turn into cancer.
Screening tests can find polyps so they can be removed before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage when treatment works best. It is not uncommon to have no early symptoms of colon cancer, so screening is key!
See our Colorectal Cancer page to learn more about colorectal cancer and the risk factors, symptoms and treatments:
Risk factors for colorectal cancer include:
Symptoms for colorectal cancer include:
There are several colorectal cancer screenings that can help find precancerous changes and detect cancer in its early stages when it is most treatable.
The table below shows the different types of screening tests that can be done. Talk with your doctor about which screening is right for you.
Screening is recommended for adults 45 to 75 years of age. In adults younger than 45 and from 76-85 years old, the USPSTF recommends that patients and their primary care providers make an individual decision whether to screen for colorectal cancer. This decision should consider the person’s overall health and prior screening history to determine which test is the best.
Treatment depends on the type of colorectal cancer and how far it has spread. Once diagnosed, additional testing will help determine the extent or stage of cancer to indicate the most appropriate treatment.
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The leading cause of death in the United States is heart disease. One in every three deaths in the United States is related to cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease and strokes.
There are many different types of heart disease, including coronary artery disease, heart failure and arrhythmias, that includes atrial fibrillation. Heart disease can be a silent killer, almost half of men who die suddenly from coronary artery disease have not reported any previous symptoms. This is why it’s important to identify your risks and make necessary lifestyle changes.
No matter the type of heart disease, quitting smoking and staying physically active can reduce your risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting at least 150 minutes a week (this equals 30 minutes/day - 5 days/week) of moderate physical activity to lower your risk of heart disease. We encouraged you to discuss with your doctor what type of exercise is right for you. Besides lowering your risk of heart disease, physical activity can have a positive impact on your cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes or risk thereof, and mental health.
See our Heart & Vascular Health page to learn more about heart disease and the risk factors, symptoms and treatments:
All people can be affected by mental health problems like depression or anxiety. However, men are generally less likely to seek help. Suicide rates are almost four times higher in men than women.
Unfortunately, there is still significant stigma surrounding mental illness. When we think about mental illness through the lens of brain health, we can begin to reframe that stigma-and the shame that so often accompanies it. Shame is one of the greatest barriers preventing people from seeking care.
The brain is an organ, just like the heart or lungs. Mental illness is often a signal that the brain is not functioning in a healthy way and deserves the same attention, treatment and compassion as any other medical condition.
Like any organ, things like stress, sleep, nutrition, and trauma can all impact how the brain is injured and/or recovers.
With time, doctors have learned the value of treating the ‘whole body,’ consisting of both the physical and mental well-being of their patients.
We encourage you to speak to your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
See our Mental Health page for more information:
Type 2 diabetes is increasingly common among men and often develops without noticeable symptoms until serious complications occur.
Prevention and management focus on maintaining a healthy weight, engaging regular physical activity, monitoring blood sugar levels, and following a balanced diet that limits refined sugars and processed foods.
Please check out our Diabetes Wellness Guide for more information about diabetes management as well as what screenings are recommended.
See our Diabetes page for more information:
Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to overall health and disease prevention. Overall, all US states had obesity rate of 25% or higher with the Northeast having a prevalence rate of 30.3%. (Adult Obesity Prevalence Maps | Obesity | CDC)
Obesity increases the risk for numerous chronic conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Even modest weight loss can lead to meaningful improvements in health outcomes.
Many serious health conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other cardiovascular risk factors can develop without obvious symptoms.
Routine preventative screenings and regular healthcare visits such as an Annual Wellness Exam can identify these conditions early, allowing for timely treatment and better long-term health outcomes.
For more information about preventative healthcare screenings and available support services, please contact our Health Plan Quality Department and request to speak to one of our Community Health Workers at 1-866-484-2788.