(NAPSA)—Just like taking the car in for an oil change or for the 25,000-mile checkup, men also need to take themselves to the doctor’s office to make sure everything is running smoothly. But statistics show that men do not see a physician for a physical exam nearly as often as women, nor are they as likely to receive health screenings to prevent the onset of more serious conditions. Womenlive an average of six years longer than men andarelesslikely to die from the top ten causes of death, including cancer, diabetes and diseases of the heart, kidney and liver. According to a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2001, the rate of doctor visits for such reasons as annual examinations and preventive services was 100 percent higher for women than for men, even excluding pregnancy-relatedvisits. Now, the Men’s Health Net- work, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization, has developed Get It Checked! to help men keep track of their body’s maintenance schedule. This simple guide outlines 15 different checkups and screenings for men and indicates at what age they should be conducted. Men, want to know how often to see the doctor to check your blood pressure or get a tetanus booster? Refer to the Get It Checked! manual. Even that important man-fuel, testosterone, needs to be checked once you’ve put on enough miles. CHECKUPS AND SCREENINGS HEMOCCULT: Screens the stool for microscopic amounts ofblood that can bethefirst indication of wd WHEN? a| Ps | BA | = Every year vid polypsor colon cancer. COLORECTAL HEALTH: A flexible scope examinesthe rectum,sigmoid and descending colon for canceratits earliest and treatable stages. It also detects polyps, which are benign growthsthat can progress fo cancerif not found early. CHEST X-RAY: Should be consideredin smokers overthe age of 45.Theusefulness of this test on a yearly basis is debatable dueto poorcurerates of lung cancer. (if smoker] SELF-EXAMS:Testicle: To find lumps in their earliest stages. Skint To look for signs of changing moles,freckles, or early skin cancer. Oral: To look for signs of cancerouslesions in the mouth. Breast To find abnormallumps in their earliest stages. Heats BONEHEALTH: Bone mineral density test. Testing is best done under the supervision of yourphysician. ee J Every year ace J/\Vv car Acs wi Age 60 TESTOSTERONE SCREENING: Low testosterone symptoms include low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, fatigue and depression. Initial screening for symptomswith a questionnaire followed by a simple bloodtest. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STDs): Sexually active adults who consider themselvesatrisk for STDs should bescreened for syphilis, chlamydia and other STDs. WHEN? PHYSICAL EXAM: Review overall Every 3 years physical exam anddiscuss health Every year health status, perform a thorough related topics. Every 3-4 years Discuss with a physician Under physician V4 Jf Discuss supervision Source: Men’s Health Network Remember, regular checkups and age-appropriate screening can im- prove a man’s health and extend his life. Regular screening can catch many diseases in an early stage, when treatment is mostlikely to be successful. wala CHECKUPS AND SCREENINGS BLOOD PRESSURE: High blood pressure (Hypertension) has no symptoms, but can cause permanent damage to body organs. TB SKIN TEST: Should be done on occasion of exposure or sug: gestive symptomsat direction of physician. Some occupations may require more frequenttesting for public health indications. BLOODTESTS & URINALYSIS: Screens for variousillnesses and diseases(such as cholesterol, diabetes, kidney or thyroid dysfunction) before symptoms occur. [oe g| S | $ | $ Every 2 years J J J 5 Ji/lZ Every Syears Ao | fen year Every 3 years Every 2 years Every year V V v EKG: Electrocardiogram screens for heart abnormalities. = Baseline Age 30 Every 4 years v Every 3 years v TETANUS BOOSTER:Prevents lockjaw. Every RECTAL EXAM:Screens for hemorrhoids, lowerrectal problems, colon and prostate cancer. Every year PSA BLOOD TEST: Prostate Specific Antigen is produced by the prostate.Levels rise when there is an abnormality such as an infection, enlargementor cancer. Testing should be donein col laboration with your physician. Every year vey 10 ens V\4 |v V|/4 4 |v “African-American men and men with a family history ofprostate cancer may wish to begin screening at age 40 or earlier. @ Contact the Men’s Health Network at (202) 543-6461 for a wallet-sized version of Get It Checked! or for other free information about men’s health.
