Image courtesy of Pixabay

It’s Movember, the time when men grow mustaches to raise awareness for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and big health issues for men. The Movember Foundation is dedicated to improving quality of life for men, 60% of whom don’t go to the doctor and only 7% of whom actually talk about their health.

Men still die an average of six years earlier than women, due to health conditions that are largely preventable. Compared to women, men are more likely to:

• Smoke and drink
• Make unhealthy or risky choices
• Put off regular checkups and medical care

If you have family and friends, you have two very important reasons to make sure you go to the doctor every year.

Catch problems early!

Regular checkups can detect a number of different diseases that threaten men’s health, including prostate cancer, which affects one in six men. Don’t wait until a problem or symptom becomes unbearable. You could be shortening your life! Embarrassed by erectile dysfunction? It could be a symptom of a bigger issue like arterial blockage or type 2 diabetes.

Skin cancer rates for men are on the rise, with women’s rates on the decline. Melanoma, the most dangerous skin cancer, is highly treatable, with an estimated five-year survival rate of 99% with early detection. The survival rate falls to 63% if the cancer spreads and metastasizes.

Screenings that can save your life include:

• Cardiovascular or coronary artery disease check ups (starting at age 20)
• Blood pressure screenings (starting at age 20)
• Colon and prostate cancer screenings (starting at age 50)

One more tip for men: go to the dentist! Dental exams provide early detection for tongue and other oral cancers, and regular oral care can minimize inflammation. There is growing evidence that inflammation from severe gum disease may be associated with other health conditions such as diabetes or stroke. Gum disease produces bacteria in your mouth that can flow into your bloodstream to other parts of your body.

Have a healthy Movember! For more information about Movember, visit the Movember Foundation website.

Andrea Groth Wellbeing Detective

Andrea wants to live in a world where the neighborhoods are walkable, bike lanes are plentiful, and the food is fresh, delicious and readily available.

A 20-year veteran of the health and wellness industry, she started her career in the fitness industry while earning a master’s degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion, and then on to the burgeoning field of worksite wellness. Andrea has competed in collegiate level soccer, worked as a personal trainer, fitness instructor, wellness coach, and master trainer, climbed 14ers, and completed cycling centuries and metric centuries. All of these experiences give her the opportunity to view well-being from many different perspectives.
When she’s not helping others to be their healthiest self, you can find her at a farm to table restaurant, down dogging at the yoga studio, or experiencing the Colorado landscape on a bicycle, snowshoes, cross country skis or on foot.