Men’s health tips from Montage Medical Group experts
Taking care of your health isn’t just about treating problems when they arise — it’s about preventing them from happening in the first place. Montage Medical Group urologist Dr. Craig Stauffer and family practice doctor Dr. Jon-Peter Meckel share ways for men to help prevent disease and promote well-being.
The importance of primary care
Establishing a primary care doctor is one of the best things men can do for their health, Meckel says.
“Having a primary care doctor makes a big difference in catching diseases earlier and helping people live healthier, longer lives," Meckel says. "You have that relationship where you can ask questions, get input on dietary changes, or anything else that comes up where you need medical advice from a trusted source.”
Stauffer emphasizes that the dynamic between a patient and their doctor is based on shared decision-making, which is the idea that communication between the patient and doctor is a two-way, evolving conversation about the patient’s goals and the best way to reach them.
“Shared decision-making empowers patients," Stauffer says. "Instead of all the power resting in the hands of the provider, this approach allows the doctor-patient relationship to grow and evolve in a team-like environment. We have conversations about what's important to the patient."
Prostate cancer screening
Catching prostate cancer early through regular screenings is critical to preventing it from becoming fatal, but how often and at what age men should get those screenings should be determined by a conversation between the patient and their doctor. Everyone has different risk factors, family histories, and lifestyle habits, meaning the timing and frequency for prostate cancer screenings are different for each man.
“My prostate cancer screening recommendations depend on factors that are unique to each patient," Stauffer says. "Screening methods and frequencies can vary, so it's important for men to just go see their doctor and talk to them about it."
Small habits can make a big difference
A healthy diet, exercise, sufficient sleep, stress management, and general self-care go a long way in preventing disease and supporting overall health.
"People don’t need to do all these things perfectly," Stauffer says. "Just practice at making them lifestyle habits."
Meckel agrees.
“A man came in for a routine health screening and mentioned that his dad had diabetes," Meckel says. "This prompted a screening, and we discovered that he was also diabetic. In three months, he brought his A1C down from 9 percent to 5.9 percent with diet and exercise alone, essentially curing his diabetes by improving his daily habits.”
