My friend, Mike, is a great guy. Knows everyone, goes out of his way to do nice things, but Mike HATES doctors. I mean he really hates doctors. He hates waiting in the office, wearing that silly gown, talking to the doctor and certainly doesn’ t want to hear any recommendations that the doctor may have.

When Mike started having balance problems while running, the last thing that he wanted to do was go see a doctor. He HATES them. I am sure that he was also afraid that it might be something serious. And it was. Mike was diagnosed with MS in his 20s. This was not supposed to happen. But because Mike saw the doctor and received the proper medication, he has had little symptoms of MS and has continued to lead a productive and healthy life for almost 15 years.

Many men feel the same way Mike does about doctors. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, 55 percent of men hadn’t had a checkup in the last year and 29 percent said they wait “as long as possible” to get help when they were sick.

This Survey as well as a study out from Rutgers seems to point to the macho factor, which means, “I feel fine so I don’t need to go” or “I’ll only go if I am dying.”  They are like Mike, former football players and member the military that believe “toughing it out” or  “Why pay for the repair, I’ll do it myself. “

The most difficult group of macho men to get to a doctor is actually white-collar men. Blue-collar men who work with their bodies are more afraid of losing their job than the doctor and will go before a man behind the desk. Many men just don’t want to know what they might found out and don’t like feeling out of control of a situation.

If you have a macho man in your life here are some of my tips to help get him to the doctor.

Dr. Deb Tips to Get Your Man to the Doctor

1. Healthy Living Example

Have the whole family be a healthy living example of proper diet, exercise and regular check-ups. Does no good to puff on a cigarette and tell him, you need to quit! If you don’t buy junk food then he can’t eat in the house.

2. Take One for the Team

One of the most effective strategies is to appeal to a man’s sense of duty and responsibility to his family. Do it for the kids.  This also appeals to his sense of manliness and one of the strongest motivators, his sex life. When blood vessels get clogged, they clog all over the body including his ability to perform. This may get him to check his cholesterol and blood sugar.

3. Nudge, not Nag

It is a fine line to walk as most men will not respond to nagging but need a nudge before they will do it. Don’t tell them how unhealthy they are as they already know that and that’s what they are afraid of. My mother’s advice was to, “Make them think that it was there idea.” That may mean making the appointment and putting it on their work calendar.

4. Rally the Troops

Men are more likely to take action if they know that their friends are doing it, use positive peer pressure. If one of his close male friends had a colonoscopy, ask them to encourage or tell him that it was not a big deal.

5. Man Maintenance Schedule

Educate men about age-appropriate health screenings that can find disease early when they are easiest to treat. Just like they do car maintenance every 3,000 miles tell them what kind of tune up they need. You can print a chart with screenings and questions and give it to them to take to the doctor.  They can do research about it so they know what to expect and be less afraid. Hopefully if you write down specific questions they will come back with some information too.

I’ve copied from preventative medical test needed for men below from AHRQ but I have modified some testing as recommended by other agencies. This is a great discussion to have with your own doctor.

Blood Pressure
This may be the single most important number to know. Have your blood pressure checked every 2 years. High blood pressure increases your chance of getting heart or kidney disease and for having a stroke. If you have blood pressure over 120/80 then you need treatment now.  Lifestyle changes can help but you may need medication to control it.

Body Mass Index
Your body mass index, or BMI, is a measure of your body fat based on your height and weight. It is used to screen for obesity. You can find your BMI here.

Cholesterol
New studies indicate that children should have their cholesterol checked but certainly, once you turn 20, especially if have risk factors like diabetes, history of heart disease, tobacco use, high blood pressure, or BMI of 30 or over. After age 35 have your cholesterol checked regularly. High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease.

Cardiovascular Disease
Beginning at age 45 and through age 79, ask your doctor if you should take aspirin every day to help lower your risk of a heart attack. How much aspirin you should take depends on your age, your health, and your lifestyle.

Colorectal Cancer
Beginning at age 50 and through age 75, get tested for colorectal cancer. You and your doctor can decide which test is best. How often you’ll have the test depends on which test you choose. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, you may need to be tested before you turn 50.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men. Early detection may save lives but screening does have limitations. The American Cancer Society advises men to talk with a doctor about the risks and limitations of PSA screening as well as its possible benefits. This may include for healthy men both a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test.

The American Urological Association recommends a first-time PSA test at age 40, with follow-ups after discussion with your doctor. They may recommend a PSA at

40 for men with a strong family history of prostate cancer.

45 for men at high risk (including African-Americans)

50 for average-risk men

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common cancer found in men. Look for suspicious lesions and have your doctor do an annual screen.

Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer of men between the ages of 15 and 34 and curable 95% of the time when caught early.

Men should begin monthly self-exams starting at age 14. The testicles should feel smooth, without  lumps or hard bean like parts. If the testicles should get smaller than the size of 2 fingers breadth then see a doctor immediately as this could also be a sign of cancer. Click here to learn how to do a testicular exam.

Other Cancers

Talk to your doctor about screening for oral or lung cancer especially if you ever used any tobacco products.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

If you are having sex with more than one person or think that your partner may be, then ask your doctor to test for gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, or other sexually transmitted diseases.

HIV
Your doctor may recommend screening for HIV if you:

Have sex with men.

Had unprotected sex with multiple partners.

Have used injected drugs.

Pay for sex or have sex partners who do.

Have past or current sex partners who are infected with HIV.

Are being treated for sexually transmitted diseases.

Had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985.

Depression

If you have felt “down” or hopeless during the past 2 weeks or you have had little interest in doing things you usually enjoy, talk to your doctor about depression. Depression is a treatable illness. If you were diabetic, lifestyle changes may help but sometimes you need medication. It is the same with depression. Lifestyle changes such as exercise, sleep and therapy are of great help but sometimes you need medication.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

If you are between the ages of 65 and 75 and have smoked 100 or more cigarettes in your lifetime, ask your doctor to screen you for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. This is an abnormally large or swollen blood vessel in your stomach that can burst without warning.

Diabetes

If your blood pressure is higher than 135/80, or if you have a BMI over 25, ask your doctor to test you for diabetes.  All men over 45 should be screened every 3 years according to the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes, or high blood sugar, can cause problems with your heart, eyes, feet, kidneys, nerves, and other body parts. A fasting plasma glucose test is most often used to screen for diabetes. Doctors may also use the Hb A1C test, which tells how well your body has controlled blood sugar over time.

Tobacco Use
Smoking is the single most preventable cause of death.

If you smoke or use tobacco, talk to your doctor about quitting. For tips on how to quit, go to smokefree.org or call the National Quitline at 1-800-QUITNOW.

Glaucoma Screening

Eye tests for glaucoma are based on age and personal risk:

Under 40: Every 2-4 years

40-54: Every 1-3 years

55-64: Every 1-2 years

65 up: Every 6-12 months

High-risk groups like African-Americans, those with a family history of glaucoma, previous eye injury, or use of steroid medications may need more frequent screening.

Immunizations

For a complete list check out the CDC

Flu

Men and women at risk: 18-65 years
Men and women, annually: 65 years and older

Pneumonia

Men and women, once: 65 years and older

Shingles

Zoster vaccine one time after age 60

Tetanus

Every 10 years with combined pertussis once as an adult

Click here for a General time line of screening tests

Click here for more specific guidelines for screening tests

To be a good screening test it should be cost effective. Here is a rundown of the evidence for screening recommendations from the AAFP about screening tests.

No one wants to think that they have a health problem. By facing it and getting help you can prevent a world of hurt and be there for those that love and depend on you.

Blessings,

Dr. Deb