Men’s Health Awareness Month

By Allison Schroeder 
Web Content Assistant Manager

Amongst the June summer haze, we oftentimes forget what else June pertains, including Father’s Day and the fact that June is Men’s Health Awareness Month. 

Men’s health is an important topic that is often forgotten about. As stated by the Crimson White, “For quite some time, society has created this notion that men must not express their emotions. Society has always expected men to possess certain characteristics that are seen as masculine.”

Society expects men to be tough and able to push past whatever they are feeling, to put on a façade.  Men’s Health Awareness Month allows people to gain awareness of this issue, especially when it comes to men’s mental health.

According to Georgia Hope, about six million men suffer from mental illness including anxiety and depression. These illnesses are often not correlated to men, but they should be since suicide is one of the leading causes of death for men.  

Other common health problems in men include prostate, pancreatic, and even breast cancer.  More than half of men over the age of 80 develop prostate cancer, but oftentimes ignore symptoms or do not have them. So, keeping on top of your prostate health is important.

Pancreatic cancer affects more men than women, and is one of the harder cancers to detect because it is isn’t subject to routine screenings like other common areas for cancer.  “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek passed away several years after being diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer.

Breast cancer is often associated with women, but men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer.  According to the CDC, “About 1 out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the United States is found in a man.”  The CDC also found that the same kinds of breast cancers they often find in women are the same in men.  

What can you do to help maintain good health?

One way to maintain good health is to visit your healthcare provider frequently and update them on any new symptoms you may have.

Another way to maintain good health is to eat a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, low-fat foods and other healthier choices.

Lastly, exercising regularly and receiving plenty of sleep are also vital aspects of maintaining good health because without sleep and exercise, you can become more susceptible to illnesses.  

Although June is Men’s Health Awareness Month, we should raise awareness for men’s health every month because nobody should have to lose their loved one due to a preventable illness or an illness that could have been treated.

Featured Image by Allison Schroeder