Health & Fitness
By Tamp Jones
Fellas be honest, do you go to doctor regularly?
You take care of your family, you go to work, handle the household finances but what about yourself? Men are judged on a daily basis by whether they contribute financially to their households, take care of their children, pay child support and if they are active in their families and communities. If they are doing all of those things then they are unlikely to see a reason to go to a doctor. But black men need to see a physician regularly just like women, regardless of whether they feel under the weather. It is critical to try and develop a relationship with a physicians office or clinic that you are comfortable with because a lot of health issues can be detected looking at changes in health over time.
Stat.....
Your checklist of the screenings you need!
Blood Pressure
You should have this screen at every doctors visit. Having your blood pressure checked regularly is important because 40% of African Americans have high blood pressure and can lead to heart disease or strokes. High blood pressure is also more prevalent in black males than in black women.
STD'S
Depending on your lifestyle you should be screened for syphillis, chlamydia, HIV and other STDs annually. Its also recommended that you have your testicles examined for testicular cancer during your annual exams.
Body Mass
Just because you go to the gym on a regular does not mean that you are at a healthy weight or BMI (18.5-24.9) is standard. Approximately 2 out of 3 adults are overweight or obese, which can increase the risk of diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease, and other ailments. Which is why it is so important to get this exam annually.
Colorectal Cancer
It is recommended that black men start to get this screen at age 40, either by rectal exam, fecal occult blood testing, colonoscopy, or sigmoidoscopy, and then every three to four years after. Colorectal Cancer is the third most common cancer among African American Men with the death rate at 52% higher than that of white men, according to the ACS.
Prostate Cancer
The ACS recommends that this test be performed as early as the age of 45 with the PSA (prostate-specific antigen blood test, along with the digital rectal exam. Men should get this test annually or biannually.
Lung Cancer
If you are or were a smoker within the last 15 years it is recommended by the ACS to get this screening annually because lung cancer is now the leading cause of cancer in African Americans. When detected at the localized stage, the survival rate among Blacks for lung cancer is 47%.
Bone Density
This painless test can diagnose osteoporosis before a fracture occurs and helps to estimate the density of your bones and your chances for breakage. After the age of 70 this test should be performed every year to two years.
Echocardiogram
An ECG is a simple test that measures electrical activity from the heart and can predict coronary heart disease. It helps to detect an enlarged heart, clogged arteries and electrical problems in the heart that can forewarn a heart attack. At the age of 70 it is recommended that you get this screening annually.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is not just for women, although it is rare for men. It can develop at any age but is mostly found in men between the ages of 60 and 70. For men the odds of getting breast cancer is 1 in 1,000 and for women 1 in every 8. If you experience a lump or hard knot in your breast, chest or armpit, the size or shape changes, inward nipple, or nipple discharge contact your physician.
2017's Black Man's Guide to Health
Fellas be honest, do you go to doctor regularly?
You take care of your family, you go to work, handle the household finances but what about yourself? Men are judged on a daily basis by whether they contribute financially to their households, take care of their children, pay child support and if they are active in their families and communities. If they are doing all of those things then they are unlikely to see a reason to go to a doctor. But black men need to see a physician regularly just like women, regardless of whether they feel under the weather. It is critical to try and develop a relationship with a physicians office or clinic that you are comfortable with because a lot of health issues can be detected looking at changes in health over time.
Stat.....
- Black men are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than white males.
- 36% of African American men are obese
Your checklist of the screenings you need!
Blood Pressure
You should have this screen at every doctors visit. Having your blood pressure checked regularly is important because 40% of African Americans have high blood pressure and can lead to heart disease or strokes. High blood pressure is also more prevalent in black males than in black women.
STD'S
Depending on your lifestyle you should be screened for syphillis, chlamydia, HIV and other STDs annually. Its also recommended that you have your testicles examined for testicular cancer during your annual exams.
Body Mass
Just because you go to the gym on a regular does not mean that you are at a healthy weight or BMI (18.5-24.9) is standard. Approximately 2 out of 3 adults are overweight or obese, which can increase the risk of diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease, and other ailments. Which is why it is so important to get this exam annually.
Colorectal Cancer
It is recommended that black men start to get this screen at age 40, either by rectal exam, fecal occult blood testing, colonoscopy, or sigmoidoscopy, and then every three to four years after. Colorectal Cancer is the third most common cancer among African American Men with the death rate at 52% higher than that of white men, according to the ACS.
Prostate Cancer
The ACS recommends that this test be performed as early as the age of 45 with the PSA (prostate-specific antigen blood test, along with the digital rectal exam. Men should get this test annually or biannually.
Lung Cancer
If you are or were a smoker within the last 15 years it is recommended by the ACS to get this screening annually because lung cancer is now the leading cause of cancer in African Americans. When detected at the localized stage, the survival rate among Blacks for lung cancer is 47%.
Bone Density
This painless test can diagnose osteoporosis before a fracture occurs and helps to estimate the density of your bones and your chances for breakage. After the age of 70 this test should be performed every year to two years.
Echocardiogram
An ECG is a simple test that measures electrical activity from the heart and can predict coronary heart disease. It helps to detect an enlarged heart, clogged arteries and electrical problems in the heart that can forewarn a heart attack. At the age of 70 it is recommended that you get this screening annually.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is not just for women, although it is rare for men. It can develop at any age but is mostly found in men between the ages of 60 and 70. For men the odds of getting breast cancer is 1 in 1,000 and for women 1 in every 8. If you experience a lump or hard knot in your breast, chest or armpit, the size or shape changes, inward nipple, or nipple discharge contact your physician.
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