.
Set delivery address
Change
Set delivery address
Change

Top 5 health checks for men

Be proactive and take these simple health screenings, as we mark Men's Health Awareness Week from 10 - 14 June 2019.

11 June 2019
By Richard Nel

Greater awareness of men’s health issues could save lives, according to Prof Shingai Mutambirwa, of the South African Men’s Health Society. “Men tend to pay less attention to their health than women and are more inclined to ignore the warning signs of disease,” he says.

To ensure continued health as you age, there are several crucial checks that every man should have regularly, particularly once they reach 40. “Regular screening can detect diseases and other potential health issues early,” says Clicks pharmacy manager Arthur Mawaya, “and early detection – before there are severe symptoms – always offers the best chance at effective treatment.”

The top-five screenings are:

Blood pressure

The risk of developing high blood pressure increases with age and can be influenced heavily by lifestyle choices and weight management. High blood pressure means that your heart is working harder than it should in order to pump blood through your body. A blood pressure reading is represented by two numbers, the first being the pressure in your arteries when the heart beats (systolic) and the second the pressure between the beats (diastolic). A reading of anything less than 120/80 is considered “normal”; anything above 140/90 is diagnosed as high blood pressure. 

Between those figures is a state referred to as pre-hypertension, which pharmacists regard as a stepping-stone to high blood pressure, and a key point for medical intervention. High blood pressure can lead to kidney problems, heart disease, stroke or even a sudden aneurysm without many prior symptoms.

It’s important to check your blood pressure regularly so that you can monitor and manage it, if necessary. This is particularly important if there is family history of these conditions. High blood pressure can be effectively treated if it is discovered well before it leads to any other major health issues.

Cholesterol

High cholesterol is a major contributing factor to heart attacks and heart disease, which leads to a hardening and narrowing of the arteries. This is due to plaque build-up in the walls of the arteries (termed atherosclerosis), and is a process that can develop over many years without displaying major symptoms. 

Cholesterol can be tested through a blood test to determine the ratio of LDL (“bad cholesterol”) to HDL (“good cholesterol”) and triglyceride (other harmful fats) in your blood. This quick test can be done at some pharmacies and will help your doctor prescribe the best course of treatment to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases and other cholesterol-related conditions, such as diabetes and stroke. Regular screening should commence from age 35; from age 20 if men suspect they may be at risk for heart disease.

Testicular cancer

June 2 marked Cancer Survivor Day, so it is fitting that we turn our attention to this serious, though beatable, cancer. Testicular cancer is most common in men between the ages of 15 and 35 and, although it is rarer than other cancers, it is one of the most treatable forms, with men standing a 97–100 percent chance of successful treatment if it’s discovered early enough. Checks for abnormal swelling, hardness or pain in the testes can be performed at home, and followed up by a consultation with your pharmacist or doctor. 

Colon cancer 

Colorectal, rectal or bowel cancer – named according to where it starts – is extremely prevalent in men. As one of the most fatal cancers, regular checks could be a lifesaving measure. This cancer develops from polyps in the colon and the treatment involves removing these polyps before they turn cancerous. 

Symptoms include bleeding from the anus, a change in bowel habits lasting for more than three weeks, chronic stomach pain or unexplained weight loss – if you experience any of these, visit a doctor immediately for a rectal examination and possibly a stool analysis. Depending on the results, you may need a colonoscopy, which allows the doctor to view the whole colon using a flexible tube and camera. If polyps are found they can be removed immediately.

Prostate cancer

Some studies report that 1 in 8 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, with most of these diagnoses occurring during middle age. Prostate cancer tends to be a slow-growing cancer (though there are some aggressive types), so screening tests are invaluable as they are generally able to identify it early – even before symptoms develop. The test for prostate cancer is two-fold: firstly, there is a blood test to identify a raised level of prostate hormones (a PSA blood test), and then there is a rectal exam. If these tests reveal prostate cancer, a biopsy might be carried out to confirm the findings. 

Consult your pharmacist or doctor if you are experiencing difficulty passing urine, a weakened urine stream, having to urinate frequently, or pain in your back or pelvis when urinating. 

Routine checks should begin at 40 for men with a family history of prostate cancer, and at 45 for those who are not aware of any genetic predisposition towards it.  

How important is regular screening?

Screening can be done annually through non-invasive measures, and is extremely important as it allows people to receive help as soon as they need it.

Numbers to note:

For reference, “healthy” numbers for a 40-year-old man are: 

Blood pressure 

120/80 (systolic/diastolic)

Blood sugar 

Less than 100 mg/dL after not eating for eight hours; less than 140 mg/dL two hours after eating

Cholesterol 

Less than 200 mg/dL (total cholesterol); with a reading of at least 40 mg/dL for HDL cholesterol and less than 100 mg/dL for LDL cholesterol;

BMI 

The “normal” or healthy range for BMI is usually considered 18.5 to 24.9.

Get checked at your nearest Clicks Clinic

Clicks clinics offer a range of primary healthcare services, screenings and wellness consultations. For a full list of services or to make an appointment, go to clicks.co.za/clinicBooking

IMAGE CREDIT: 123rf.com