Men’s health –
Facts and Myths
June is Men’s Health Awareness Month, an important time to understand some health issues which may affect the men in our lives. Here are a few facts to know and share:
1) Do men or women live longer? Due to gender differences regarding health behaviors (smoking, alcohol use, drugs, occupational risks), women tend to live longer than men by approximately 6 years.
2) Who has the highest risk of death by heart and liver disease? Men die from these diseases at twice the rate of women.
3) What are the most common cancers in men? Skin, prostate, and lung cancers are most common. Prevention and screening can save lives.
4) Can men get breast cancer and osteoporosis? Just like women, men can get breast cancer and osteoporosis, which if left untreated can lead to broken bones and disability.
5) Should men worry about their mental health? While men are much less likely to seek help such as counseling or medication for depression and other mental health issues, they are four times more likely to commit suicide than women. Therefore, if feeling sad, down, or hopeless for an extended period of time, it is important to get treatment.
6) How can diabetes affect a man’s health? Diabetes may go undetected for years, while silently affecting the body. If left untreated, it can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and vision issues. Regular medical checkups will help catch diabetes early.
For more information on men’s health go to www.menshealthnetwork.org.
Parish Nurse,
The Catholic Church of St. Ann
lwalshrn@st-ann.org
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