The statistics are sobering. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 15% of all men ages 18 and older are in fair or poor health. From a lack of physical activity to alcohol and drug use to obesity, doctors say men often put off preventive care and ignore important warning signs — to the detriment of their own health.
Tamara Kermani, DO, a family medicine and primary care physician with Parkview Health, says a man’s needs change based on his age, but there are common themes that should remain a focus during his entire lifespan.
20s
Mental health, particularly anxiety and depression, tends to be a big problem, Dr. Kermani says, and it’s compounded by societal pressures that keep them from seeking help. “For men, there’s kind of a stigma,” she says. “They don’t want to come forward and admit that they’re having any issues. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for men in their 20s.”
Dr. Kermani says it’s not uncommon for men at any age, but especially those in their 20s, to try to alleviate negative feelings with alcohol or drugs.
“That’s where it can start for a lot of younger people. They try to self-medicate,” Dr. Kermani explains. “That becomes a crutch they rely on and then it can easily get out of hand.”
Men should have no more than two drinks per day and no more than five drinks at a time, which is considered binge drinking, says Dr. Kermani. While no alcohol is best, she recommends that those who do choose to drink be aware of the alcohol content of drinks, consume water along with alcohol to prevent dehydration, and designate a sober driver.
Another concern for men in their 20s is sexually transmitted infections. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 333 million new cases are diagnosed each year, with the highest rates among 20- to 24-year-olds.
“Unfortunately, we are seeing rates of gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes and syphilis increasing,” Dr. Kermani says. “A concern for guys is often they don’t have symptoms, especially with gonorrhea and chlamydia. We recommend getting checked for sexually transmitted infections.”
30s
Testicular cancer is most often seen in men in their late 20s and early 30s, with the average age of diagnosis around 33. “We encourage men to do regular self-checks,” says Dr. Kermani. “If there are any lumps that are abnormal, any pain, any feeling of heaviness, or a change in the size or shape, it’s a good idea to come in and have us take a look.”
Dr. Kermani says sports injuries are another common issue for men in their 30s. Those can range from sprains and strains to something more serious. “A lot of guys are what we call weekend warriors. They don’t really do much during the week and then they get out on the weekends and overdo things.” Tips for preventing injuries include stretching, using proper techniques, staying hydrated and knowing your body’s limits.
Dr. Kermani says in her practice, she’s been seeing more men in their 30s with skin cancer. She says men who have lighter skin, who burn easily and have a family history of skin cancer should get annual checks. And everyone, no matter their risk factors, should wear sunscreen. “It’s also a good idea to be aware of the signs of skin cancer. We call them ABCD. Look for Asymmetrical spots, irregular Borders, Color changes to previous spots or moles, and the Diameter — if they’re larger than a pencil eraser, that can be a concern,” Dr. Kermani emphasizes.
40s
As men get older, it becomes even more important to get an annual exam that includes bloodwork. “In their 40s, I think that’s the age that we’re starting to see poor lifestyle choices catching up with people — we find issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes or liver issues, especially if they have what we call metabolic syndrome, which is a cluster of conditions that occur together.”
It’s also the age at which doctors recommend beginning certain cancer screenings. African American men or those who have a family history of prostate cancer should begin getting screened for prostate cancer around age 40, says Dr. Kermani. The American Cancer Society recommends people at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45. “Colon cancer is relatively easy to treat if it’s caught early,” she adds.
