Brookings Health System

Men's Health

Movember: The Campaign for Men’s Health

man sitting on a couch with folded hands while a male doctor sits on a chair at right angle to him, taking notes on a clipboard. No faces. Statistics show that men die on average five years earlier than women. Why? It could be because guys just assume they are healthier than other people. Some men may feel they do not need yearly health exams and routine screenings or that they should only go to the doctor when they’re sick and do not feel well.

Movember, also known as No Shave November, is a time to encourage men to take care of all aspects of their health.

Primary Care

Many men do not take the time for an annual checkup. Men are 24 percent less likely to have visited a physician in the past year compared to women. They may put off any health concerns for fear a physician may find something wrong. Or they may avoid the doctor to steer clear of uncomfortable body exams like a prostate check.

Regular annual exams with a primary care provider catch minor issues before they become more serious concerns. Just like you shouldn’t ignore your car if it’s making a different noise, you shouldn’t ignore your body if something doesn’t feel right. Establishing a relationship with a physician while you’re healthy helps create a baseline for care. And the best news: it’s never too late to start routine screenings and annual physicals.

Mental Health & Suicide

Mental illness cannot be seen but it is very real. And it can be very dangerous if left untreated. Depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions can lead to high blood pressure, stomach issues, chronic fatigue, weight changes, substance abuse and even suicide. In the U.S., four out of five suicides are men. Globally on average one man dies from suicide every minute of every day.

More conversations and stronger social connections are needed for everyone who struggles with mental health conditions. Loved ones need to stay in touch for one another’s well-being, especially people who live alone or are otherwise isolated.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or is facing a mental health crisis, call 988, the national suicide prevention and crisis lifeline.

In South Dakota, those looking for behavioral health options are encouraged to contact the Helpline Center.

Prostate & Testicular Cancers

Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in men. In fact, one out of eight men will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime. Symptoms include trouble urinating, blood in the urine or semen, bone pain, unexplained weight loss and erectile dysfunction. Men over age 50 should schedule regular, yearly prostate exams with their health care provider. When detected early, prostate cancer survival rates are greater than 98 percent.

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men ages 15 to 39. Monthly testicular self-exams help to detect cancer. Signs and symptoms include a lump or enlargement of either testicle, heaviness feeling in the scrotum, dull ache in the groin or abdomen, and pain or discomfort in a testicle or the scrotum. The survival rate for testicular cancer is high, at greater than 95 percent. Men diagnosed with testicular cancer should speak with their physician and care team about long-term treatment side effects, like loss of fertility.

If you notice signs or symptoms for either testicular or prostate cancer, visit your healthcare provider.