Men Less Likely Than Women to See Physicians Regularly

Celebrate Father’s Day by encouraging the men in your life to give themselves the gift of a checkup.

June is Men’s Health Month, and according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men are still less likely than women to see a physician each year, even though they face higher rates of serious conditions like heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

Common excuses include busy schedules, an absence of noticeable symptoms, anxiety about learning something potentially stressful and other attitudes ranging from “I can tough it out” to simple procrastination.

“Skipping regular checkups just means health issues that could be treated early on are often caught later, when they are harder to manage,” said John K. Lee, MD, a family physician with Memorial Care on South Sixth St. in Springfield. “Men often assume everything is fine because nothing feels wrong. Unfortunately, heart disease and different types of cancer can present with subtle markers so delayed physicals can become problematic.”

Memorial Care primary care teams throughout central Illinois use annual primary care visits to keep track of blood pressure, cholesterol numbers and any family disease updates. Physicians can recommend key screenings, adjust medications, support nutrition and exercise improvements and also monitor stress levels.

Key screenings for men

•  Ages 20–39: Blood pressure checks, periodic cholesterol labs, weight and body mass index, mental health check-ins and testing for sexually transmitted infections, including at least one HIV test for most adults.
• Ages 40–49: Ongoing blood pressure and cholesterol monitoring, diabetes screening for men who have risk factors like excess weight or a strong family history, and a conversation about starting colon screening early if close relatives have had colorectal cancer.
• Ages 50–64: Routine colon cancer screening for most men between 45 and 75, regular checks for heart and metabolic health (blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar), shared decisions with a doctor about whether and when to screen for prostate cancer and lung cancer screening for those who qualify based on age and smoking history.
• Ages 65 and older: Continued screening, when appropriate, for heart disease and cancer for overall health, fall and memory checks, up-to-date vaccines and regular medication reviews to keep treatment plans safe and manageable.

Primary care physicians with Memorial Care offer flexible appointment options and team-based care that includes physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. They coordinate closely with cardiology, cancer screening programs, behavioral health and wellness services when men need more specialized support.

Just one primary care visit can start an ongoing relationship so that when new symptoms or questions arise, you already have a trusted place to turn.

Ready to take the next step? Visit memorial.health and use the “Find a Doctor” search to choose a Memorial Care primary care provider near you.