Dr. JP Meckel, DO, Family Practice, Montage Medical Group, emphasizes the need for early screenings for colon cancer. “Colon cancer grows slowly and takes a long time to develop, so if we do those screenings, we prevent it. Get a physician and talk to them about screening. If you’re from the ages of 55 to 69, there should really be a discussion with your doctor.”

Like colon cancer, early detection is key for treatment and prevention of serious illness when it comes to prostate cancer since, in its early stages, it has no symptoms. According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 300,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2023.

Prostate cancer is screened with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, and in some cases, the physician will also perform a digital rectal exam. Elevated levels of PSA could suggest prostate cancer; however, PSA can also signal less serious causes like prostate enlargement or infection. Because of this, additional testing may be needed to diagnose cancer.

While colon, prostate, and lung cancer make up the second-leading cause of death for men in the United States, heart disease comes in at number one, causing about one in four male deaths. Symptoms of heart disease may include heart attack, heart failure, and arrhythmia. Sometimes heart disease may be “silent” and go undiagnosed until symptoms appear, so even if you have no symptoms, you may still be at risk.

Common healthcare-related questions about these men’s health topics, ranging from cancer and heart disease to testosterone levels and erectile dysfunction, can all be addressed by your primary care physician. It is recommended that you establish a relationship with a primary care physician and ask them about scheduling health screenings.

Visit Montage Health's online provider directory to see available providers and choose a primary care physician.

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