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Men are catching up to women in terms of life expectancy, according the the National Center for Health Statistics. And while the gap is getting smaller, there are still some unique concerns for men.
Leading causes of death for U.S. Men (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) |
1. |
Heart Disease |
28.0% |
2. |
Cancer |
24.0% |
3. |
Accidents |
5.9% |
4. |
Stroke |
5.1% |
5. |
Chronic lower respiratory diseases |
5.1% |
6. |
Diabetes |
2.9% |
7. |
Influenza and pneumonia |
2.4% |
8. |
Suicide |
2.1% |
9. |
Kidney Disease |
1.7% |
10. |
Alzheimer's disease |
1.5% |
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| FREE SCREENING FOR PROSTATE CANCER, HEART DISEASE & STROKE RISK FACTORS |
The Men's Health Partnership, a program from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, provides free screenings, counseling & medical follow-up for MA men without health insurance or whose health insurance does not cover these services.
For more information, click here. |
 Prostate CancerProstate cancer is the most common type of cancer (other than skin cancer) among American men. More than 5,500 Massachusetts men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. Prostate cancer has a higher rate of death than breast cancer.
The causes of prostate cancer remain unclear and doctors often cannot explain why one man develops the disease and another remains healthy. However, research has identified certain risk factors:
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Age |
Although it can occur in men of all ages, prostate cancer happens most often in men over 50. Three of four cases of prostate cancers are found in men over age 65. |
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Family History |
Your risk of getting prostate cancer increases if a close family member, like a brother, son or father, has the disease. |
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Diet |
Research has suggested that a high-fat diet is linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer. |
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Race |
African American men are at a higher risk of getting the disease. |
| Third Annual Prostate Cancer Symposium |
| Monday, September 8, 2008 8:30 am to 3:30 pm Sponsored by UMass Memorial Medical Center/ UMass Medical School and the Worcester Prostate Cancer Education and Support Group Crowne Plaza Hotel 10 Lincoln Square Worcester
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Like the risk factors for heart disease and stroke, prostate cancer is most often a silent condition. At the early stages of the disease, when treatment is the most effective, it usually causes no pain or other symptoms. The best defense is early detection. For more information, read Prostate Cancer: A Guide for Men and Their Families. Copies are available at
the West Boylston Board of Health Office and online at: www.maclearinghouse.com, order #PC515.
Heart Disease
The American Heart Association statistics shows that 37.5% of American men suffered from some form of cardiovascular disease in 2004. Men have a greater risk of heart attack than women and suffer attacks earlier in life. While you can't control some risk factors, such as age, sex and heredity, there are things that you can do to improve your heart health:
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Avoid tobacco: Smokers' risk of developing coronary heart disease is 2 to 4 times higher than non-smokers. |
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Watch your cholesterol: As your cholesterol goes up, so does your risk of heart disease. While heredity affects your cholesterol level, eating a diet low in saturated fat will help to reduce cholesterol in your blood stream. Remember that all fats are not created equal. The American Heart Association offers diet guidelines for healthy people and those with known heart disease. |
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Watch your blood pressure: A high blood pressure puts a bigger load on your heart, which makes the walls thicker and stiffer. It also increases your risk of stroke and kidney disease. Studies have shown that you can lower your blood pressure by changing your diet. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has produced a publication on a recommended eating plan, Your Guide to Lowering Your Blood Pressure with DASH (approximately 1MB PDF file). |
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Increase your physical activity: Regular, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity helps prevent heart and blood vessel disease. You get greater benefits for more vigorous activity, but even a moderate level of exercise, if done regularly and long-term, reduces your risk. It helps control cholesterol levels, blood pressure, obesity and diabetes, too. Some tips can be found at Move to Prevent and Control High Blood Pressure: Mission Possible from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. |
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Maintain a health weight: If you have excess body fat - especially around your waist - it increases your risk of heart disease, raises your blood pressure & cholesterol and increases your risk of developing diabetes. Losing as few as 10 pounds can lower your risk. |
| Let's Bowl! |
| September 26, 2008 at 10AM Get your heart rate up! Join the folks at the West Boylston Senior Center as they try out their new Wii video bowling game. |
Some of the risk factors for Heart Disease, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, do not have symptoms and you may be at risk and not be aware. Ask your health care professional to check for these conditions. The Men's Health Partnership provides free screening for men who do not have insurance to cover such services. See the box above for information.
Remember to consult your doctor and/or dietician before starting an exercise program or modifying your diet significantly.
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