DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My husband, who is in his 50s, never goes to the doctor. I tell him he needs to be seen for preventive care purposes, but he's stubborn and I can't get through to him. I think he's afraid they'll find something wrong with him. How can I convince him it's important to go in for a checkup?
ANSWER: You and your husband are not alone in this struggle. Statistically, men have been less likely than women to seek medical care, even when experiencing health issues. Men are also less likely to go in for regular checkups and undergo preventive screenings. Screenings are tests that are completed in the absence of active disease symptoms.
As a family health care clinician, it is necessary for me to discuss the importance of screening measures with patients, such as screening for diabetes, elevated blood pressure and high cholesterol. Screening can detect many preventable diseases, such as heart disease and certain cancers, including lung cancer for those with a smoking history and colon, breast, cervical and prostate cancer for age-appropriate patients.
There is a wide range of screening tests available. Patients of different ages and genders require different screenings, and your health care team can tell you what is appropriate for you. For example, screening for colon cancer, such as a stool sample or colonoscopy, begins at age 45. Cervical cancer screenings, such as Pap smears, typically begin at age 21 for females. Blood pressure screening can begin as early as childhood.
Screening for hepatitis C, which can cause liver damage, cirrhosis and eventually cancer, is a simple blood test that can be ordered by your health care team. Men can discuss the pros and cons of prostate screening with their health care clinician.
If found early through screening, these diseases can be easily and effectively treated. Screenings can prevent severe disease, which can lead to a host of other problems. Diseases found in the late stages, unfortunately, have the highest death rates as seen in those who have neglected routine screenings for years.
Educating underrepresented groups should be a priority in cancer prevention. For instance, Hispanic Americans face a disproportionate burden of cancer, with higher rates of certain cancers like liver, gastrointestinal and cervical. Certain populations, unfortunately, do not get the screening they deserve. Some people have a higher death rate because access to screening isn't available. It's important for health care teams to have an open discussion about screening and to educate all patients on what it does, how it affects them and their life expectancy.
Overall, screening is extremely important. From cancers to heart disease, these illnesses are prevalent in our society and can be prevented if caught early. We know that disease can be prevented by establishing everyday changes such as having a healthy diet, maintaining an appropriate weight and exercising. Those habits, along with annual checkups and necessary screening, are among the most important things you can do. You can tell your husband that taking care of himself will ultimately keep him out of our offices.