The Perfect Home Care Marks Men’s Health Awareness Month
Senior Care in Pleasantville NY
Studies have long shown that men are far less likely than women to seek medical help. That’s why the management team at The Perfect Home Care is urging its male clients in Westchester County, NY, to schedule annual physicals or to see an expert about a specific health concern.
“June is men’s health month, so it’s a good time to encourage treatment for our male clients,” says Phil Waga, president and co-owner of The Perfect Home Care. “Doing so can result in illnesses being detected earlier and treated more effectively.”
As an example, 55 percent of men have not seen their primary-care physician for a physical exam within the past year. Nearly one in five men 55 or older has never had a colonoscopy, the gold standard in identifying early signs of colon cancer. About one in three says they “wait as long as possible” before seeing a doctor when they are sick, in pain or are concerned about their health (according to the American Academy of Family Physicians).
Here is a look at five common conditions:
- While heart disease is the leading killer of both men and women, almost twice as many males will actually die of conditions that affect the cardiovascular system. According to the CDC, one in four males has some form of heart disease. Getting blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked regularly is important, as is living an active lifestyle and not smoking.
- Lung cancer can be present in the body long before it shows up on an x-ray or causes any physical symptoms. It can spread quickly and aggressively. Tobacco smoke causes 90% of all lung cancers and even though the number of U.S. smokers is declining, it is still the leading cancer killer in men. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do, note that the earlier you quit smoking the lower your risk of developing lung cancer.
- Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. It’s rarely seen in men younger than 50, but like lung cancer, it can develop under the radar, only causing symptoms once it has already taken hold of the body. Prostate cancer can be diagnosed with routine testing. This includes a rectal examination and a blood test. The good news is that the cure rate for this form of cancer has increased and only 10% of cancer-related deaths among men are due to the prostate.
- Men are four times more likely than women to commit suicide. Men are less likely to openly show depression, which leads them to go untreated and undiagnosed. More than six million men have depression each year, but for most men, depression shows up in anger, aggression, and substance abuse. If you feel depressed, get help.
- Unlike the others on this list, erectile dysfunction is not life threatening, but is a common health issue in men. This problem is most often caused by atherosclerosis, which also causes heart attacks and strokes. Frequent erectile dysfunction may be a sign that your body’s blood vessels are in less-than-perfect health and may be an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease.
“Our clients don’t need to become statistics,” says Ed Trapasso, co-owner and president of the The Perfect Home Care. “Instead, they should take advantage of the great medical care available in Westchester County.”
If you or an aging loved one are looking for senior care in Pleasantville, NY, call the friendly staff at The Perfect Home Care at (855) 855-5728. Call today!
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