No-one enjoys a visit to the doctor, but studies show that men are less likely than women to take time out to visit their GP and this could stop them from getting the help they need.
According to 2014 survey data collected by the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, men are half as likely as women to go to the doctor over a two-year period. A number of surveys conducted by hospitals across the US also support the idea that men don’t go to the doctor as often as women. The reasoning is often centered around being “too busy” or a fear of finding out that something is seriously wrong. The social pressures on men to “walk it off” and avoid being seen as vulnerable also play a role.
However, catching an illness early can mean less time off work or fewer costly medical bills later. These are just two of the reasons to tick off those annual appointments. Misconceptions around testing for diseases (and the dreaded prostate exam) also discourage men from their regular check-ups, although these days a prostate test is done with a quick blood test.
What tests do you need to have done? Take a look at the checklist below and make an appointment to get them done as soon as possible. This will save you time and money, and help you take care of your family by setting a good example and ensuring that you’ll be around for as long as possible.
Tests to have annually:
- Blood pressure
- Diabetes screening
- Body mass index
- Cholesterol screening
- Dental check
- Eye exam
- HIV screening
- Prostate-specific antigen test
If you have a family history of any of the above illnesses, you need to ask your GP to set out a regular testing schedule to ensure early detection.
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