June is Men’s Health Month
June is men’s health month. It is the month during which various organizations dedicate resources and time educating the public and focusing resources on improving the health and wellness of men, boys, and their families.
Men’s Health Network (MHN), Men’s Health Month.org, and numerous other groups and organizations offer screening programs through “partnerships” with community organizations, workplaces, religious institutions, health care providers, “retailers and other private entities.”
According to Men’s Health Month.org, they have a presence in all 50 states and more than 25 countries, with an advisory of “over 800 physicians, researchers, public health workers and other key thought leaders on men’s and family health.”
What Men’s Health Issues Does Men’s Health Month Address?
MHN offers screening, presentations, and educational materials for a variety of illnesses and conditions facing many men. Some of them include prostate cancer, testicular cancer, breast cancer, mental health, skincare, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and low testosterone.
Various programs run by individuals, organizations, and health facilities cover screenings, educational programs, prevention seminars, and fundraising events.
Why Do We Need a Men’s Health Month?
Supporting men’s health is essential. These facts speak for themselves:
- According to the CDC, in North America, the average life expectancy of men is five years less than women.
- Men die at higher rates than women from nine of the ten leading causes of death.
- Compared to women, men are about four times more likely to commit suicide. Why? Because male depression is rarely diagnosed
- In 2001, the CDC determined that women are 100% more likely than men to see a doctor for regular exams, preventative services.
Educating Men About Detection and Risks Can Make a Difference
Early detection is crucial to treating many illnesses that plague men and women. Regular visits to the doctor can increase the chance of timely diagnosis and a successful treatment plan.
Understanding your family’s medical history and what risks you may possess can also become important. Knowing your history can help you formulate informed decisions about your health care, such as when to demand a particular test, what symptoms you should be looking out for, and making connections between symptoms you are experiencing and possible causes.
Educating men and women about self-examinations can also mean the difference between life and death. Men must learn the importance of and proper techniques to conduct monthly self-exams of their breasts and testicles. Following up with a doctor when they notice changes, is also crucial. Seeing a doctor for prostate exams is also essential, especially with advancing age and any other risk factors or symptoms that are present.
Men’s Health Month Also Focuses on Prevention
Educating men about preventing diseases is also part of Men’s Health Month activities. There are lifestyle choices people make that contribute to diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. We know that obesity, smoking, and lack of exercise are some of the most significant contributors to the health problems that plague men (and women). Eating right, engaging in physical activity, and quitting smoking can significantly improve health and combat diseases. In addition to these, the American Cancer Society also suggests that men avoid alcohol. If they choose to drink alcohol, men should limit their intake to no more than two drinks per day.
During Men’s Health Month, Send a Gift Basket From Rock the Treatment
Do you know someone with cancer? If you have a man in your life undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, lung cancer, testicular cancer, or colon cancer, how can you help?
At Rock the Treatment, we make it easy to let someone with cancer know you care and support them on their difficult journey. If someone you love has cancer, send a helpful cancer gift basket from Rock The Treatment. Chemotherapy and radiation gift baskets are packed with the essentials needed to ease side effects of treatment, as well as enhance physical and mental well-being. See all of our cancer care packages and find the one that best supports their journey.
Source:
- http://www.menshealthmonth.org/support.html
- https://www.menshealthnetwork.org/library/menshealthfacts.pdf
- https://www.cancer.org/healthy/find-cancer-early/mens-health/cancer-facts-for-men.html
