KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — June is known as Men's Health Month, a time when advocates raise awareness of health issues many men face.
Robert Wilson, a physician with Roane County Family Practice, said a big topic is early detection and treatment of illnesses in men and boys.
"I think that guys are pretty good about coming in when they have an acute problem," Wilson said. "But they are less likely to come forward and see the doctor with mental health issues and for preventive measures. And I think that, for Men's Health Month, those are the important things to discuss."
A routine health exam could include blood pressure screening for diabetes or cholesterol. Your doctor might also want to discuss your lifestyle, exercise and diet habits.
"I recommend every five years, when you are about 30 or 35, getting your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugars checked," Wilson pointed out.
In an interview with 10News, the physician emphasized the importance of not skipping those wellness exams.
"Wellness exams are a good way to go in and see your doctor under a low-stress sort of situation," Wilson explained. "You are not sick, you do not have any acute issues, and it is time to sort of establish a rapport. It gives us a little more time to sort of discuss things that might be on their mind, screen them for depression, screen them for chronic illnesses."
Wilson said there is still a lot of stigma, particularly with men, when it comes to mental health. He said these wellness checks can also be a great opportunity to talk to your doctor about your mental or emotional health concerns.
The physician underscored preventive care is important, especially when it comes to cancer screenings.
According to Wilson, men are now recommended to start colorectal cancer screenings when they are 45 years old instead of 50. He said that new guidance is for men who are of average risk; those with a family history of colorectal cancer or other risk factors should start sooner.
The same idea should be applied to prostate cancer. Doctor Wilson said the sooner they can intervene the better.
"If you get screened when you are young and healthy and we do find prostate cancer, there are a variety of options for treatment, especially with early-stage disease," he explained. "We can essentially fix it or eradicate it. The chances of treatment are much better when you find something early rather than finding it late. Ignoring a problem never made it go away, that is what I try to tell people."
In May, Governor Bill Lee signed the PSA Screening for Him bill into law, which eliminates costs for certain patients to get prostate cancer screenings. This law goes into effect July 1, 2024.
It is estimated more than 6,000 people in Tennessee will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. Black men and those with a family history of prostate cancer are at a higher risk. Doctor Wilson underscored early detection can increase survival rates.