For men of all ages, the hardest part of scheduling a doctor’s appointment is admitting that we need help. As someone who was raised to admire hardiness and stoicism, seeking a medical opinion, scheduling a routine screening, or even asking a professional, “is this normal?” can feel odd with often deeply ingrained ideas about masculinity and self-reliance.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men are less likely than women to seek preventive care or make regular visits to the doctor. That reluctance can have serious consequences, increasing the risk of heart disease, colon cancer, and other potentially severe health conditions.
Let’s talk about why preventive care may be one of the smartest, and manliest investments you can make in your long-term health.
Talking about your health is the first step toward taking control of it.
Expressing concerns about your health requires a level of vulnerability that many men simply aren’t comfortable with. In fact, according to a 2019 Cleveland Clinic survey, 20% of men admitted they had not been completely honest with their doctor. Even more striking, 72% said they would rather do household chores, like cleaning the bathroom or mowing the lawn, than go to the doctor. While it may feel tougher to handle health concerns on your own, the smartest way to take charge of your health is to seek advice from qualified professionals…and no, Reddit doesn’t count.
All the cool guys (65+) are doing it!
About 93% of men age 65 and older have visited or spoken with a healthcare professional within a given year. That likely includes Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Denzel Washington, and just about every action star who’s ever jumped from a helicopter. Older adults in-general understand the value of preventive care. As men age, their risk for conditions such as heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes increases, making routine checkups an important part of maintaining long-term health and independence.
Preventive care adds life to your years.
That means more time with family and friends, more independence as you age, and more strength for important pursuits like arm wrestling or grilling steaks. Muscle health expert Dr. Stuart Phillips notes that most people will experience some degree of mobility limitation at some point in life. But preventive care and conversations with healthcare professionals can help you build a roadmap for staying active, strong, and healthy for years to come.
Early screenings can help you avoid bigger problems later.
Do you know what’s worse than household chores? Dealing with a preventable health crisis because you skipped an early screening. Medicare covers a range of preventive services, including annual wellness visits, screenings, and vaccines that can help identify health concerns before they become serious. A routine screening may not be exciting, but it can help keep you in the game longer. And if it gets you out of mowing the lawn for an afternoon, that’s just an added bonus.
Routine visits give you a chance to be heard.
Doctors are familiar with the discomfort you may feel when opening up about your health concerns because they treat a variety of people, are invested in your well-being, and may have even been in your shoes. Your annual check-up or preventative screening is your chance to let your voice be heard and understood in a safe space.
This Men’s Health Month, we encourage you take the leap into preventative care! We know it can be difficult to dismantle the mental barriers preventing you from getting the help you need, but in the end, it may be the manliest thing you do.
Matthew Thompson is the Digital Communications Manager for the Alliance for Aging Research.
