As a guy, you probably already know that you should be on the lookout for heart disease and prostate cancer. You may not, however, be aware of the following five conditions that can affect your health but are not typically associated with men. Staying educated is important for staying healthy.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a woman's disease, right? Not entirely. While it's true that women are 100 times more likely to develop breast cancer compared to men, the American Cancer Society estimates that each year around 450 men will die of breast cancer in the U.S. Breast cancer accounts for approximately two-tenths of a percent of cancer deaths among men. You may be wondering, with a statistic that small, why should you even care about breast cancer. Perhaps due to the fact that breast cancer is so much more prevalent among women, it often goes undiscovered in men until late in the cancer's development. To increase the chance of survival, it's important to find and treat breast cancer early, in both men and women.
So who among men are at risk? Age is a primary risk factor. Most all cases of breast cancer in men occur in individuals 60 years old or older. Family history is another key factor. Men who have a close relative with breast cancer -male or female-are at a greater risk. Men with conditions related to abnormal hormone activity may also be at risk, especially men with hyperestrogenism (increased levels of the female hormone estrogen), gynecomastia (enlargement of the male breasts) and Klinefelter's syndrome (a congenital abnormality of the sex chromosomes). Other risks include exposure to radiation (especially at an early age), liver disease, excess weight, excessive alcohol consumption and a diet high in fat.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis-a debilitating disease that causes the bones to become weak, fragile and more prone to breaks-is often thought of as a disease that affects women. But today, nearly two million men in the U.S. have osteoporosis, and nearly 12 million men are at risk. Yet, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, despite its prevalence, osteoporosis in men continues to be underdiagnosed and undertreated. If you're young and healthy, a broken bone probably doesn't seem like that big of a deal-certainly not life-threatening. But studies have found that an estimated one-third of men who sustain a hip fracture (usually men over the age of 50) die within a year of injury.
Risk factors for osteoporosis in men include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, small stature, inactivity, insufficient calcium levels, family history, scoliosis, use of certain drugs and testosterone deficiency.
Up until the age of 30, your body efficiently builds and breaks down bone mass to maintain a healthy bone density. Starting in your 30s, you start losing more bone than your body can build back up. To maintain a healthy bone density and avoid osteoporosis, get adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D, practice weight-bearing exercise on a regular basis, don't smoke and limit the amount of alcohol you consume (no more than two drinks per day).
Skin Cancer
A 2005 survey conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology found that men are less likely than women to use sunscreen and hang out in the shade when outdoors, and they are more likely to associate having a tan with being in good health. More men are affected by skin cancer than any other cancer, including lung, prostate and colon cancers. When caught early enough, the survival rate for skin cancer is 99 percent; however, most people-men included-don't self-screen for skin cancer, and many don't follow preventive measures. If you're going to be out in the sun (even doing normal, everyday things like going to work or running errands), use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Avoid being outdoors or hang out in the shade between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun's rays are at their strongest. If you are outdoors, wear a hat, as men with short or thinning hair are prone to skin cancer on the head and face. Each month, closely examine your skin to look for unusual moles, spots or sores. Consider going to a dermatologist-they're not just for women-for a skin cancer screening, especially if you're fair or burn easily. A dermatologist can help you monitor any changes in moles or spots on your skin that could turn into melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Being diligent about protecting your skin from the sun can help you look younger as well as guard against cancer.
Depression
Nearly six million men suffer from depression, and studies are finding that men may not experience symptoms of depression in the same way as women. Where depression has typically been associated with feelings of sadness, worthlessness or excessive guilt, men with depression may report fatigue, irritability, loss of interest in work or hobbies, and sleep disturbances. Men are also less likely to seek help for depression. In a study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health, men reported a reluctance to see a mental health professional for fear that it could negatively affect their work if their employer or coworkers found out. Men who participated in the study also expressed fear that being labeled with a mental illness would cause them to lose the respect of their family and friends or that they might lose their standing in their community. Men's reluctance to seek help could be why they are four times more likely to die by suicide than women. Men who are depressed are also at greater risk for alcohol or drug abuse, recklessness, and violent moods or behavior.
Depression can affect men of any age, race or socioeconomic background. It is not a sign of weakness or the fault of the person dealing with depression. Depression is an imbalance in brain neurotransmitters, which can be effectively diagnosed and treated. If you have any of the following symptoms, talk to your doctor or other healthcare professional you trust.
Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" mood
- Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyable, including sex
- Decreased energy, fatigue; feeling "slowed down"
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
- Trouble sleeping, early morning awakening or oversleeping
- Changes in appetite and/or weight
- Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
- Restlessness or irritability
- Persistent physical symptoms, such as headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pain that do not respond to routine treatment
Male Menopause
Are you thinking, "Oh no, do I have to go through that too?!" If so, relax. There is no male equivalent of female menopause. Rather, the expression "male menopause" has come about to describe the gradual decline of the male hormone testosterone that men experience as they age. (To be the equivalent of female menopause, testosterone levels would have to plummet suddenly.) Medical professionals refer to male menopause as andropause or viripause. After about age 40, testosterone levels begin to decline; however, the reduction is gradual enough to go unnoticed by most men under the age of 60. By age 80, most men have low levels of testosterone-though some men go their whole lives with normal testosterone levels.
Symptoms of low testosterone include reduced sexual desire, infertility, a decrease in spontaneous erections, swollen or tender breasts, loss of body and pubic hair, smaller testes, height loss, thinning bones, reduced muscle mass and strength, sweating and hot flashes. Other symptoms include decreased energy, lack of motivation, lower self-confidence, poor concentration and problems with memory. Treatments for low testosterone include testosterone replacement therapy and herbal supplements. Both forms of treatment remain controversial, as they may increase your risk of prostate cancer and heart disease. Testosterone replacement therapy is only appropriate for men with extreme symptoms of abnormally low levels of testosterone. If you think this may apply to you, talk with your doctor. Symptoms associated with low testosterone may also indicate other diseases and conditions, including liver disease, kidney failure, overactive or underactive thyroid, side effects of certain medications, alcohol or drug abuse, or depression.
