Many young men stop receiving routine physical exams sometime in their teens or early 20s. But with most insurance plans now required to cover the full cost of one wellness visit a year, many men are encouraged to start seeing a primary care provider more regularly.
Making the most of that annual wellness visit means knowing what to ask. Most men are glad to get in and out with as little poking and probing as possible, but that misses the point.
“This is an opportunity to catch problems early,” said Evangelio Gonzalez, MD, a family medicine physician with Villa Rica Family Medicine, part of Tanner Medical Group. “Being candid and telling your primary care provider if you’re having a problem is essential.”
Here are some tips for making the most of that annual exam.
What is my BMI?
Your body mass index — or BMI — gives you a better idea of where you stand in regards to your waistline than your weight alone.
“Whether you’re underweight, overweight or obese hinges on your weight and your height, so know where you stand and ask what you should be doing differently if change is necessary,” said Dr. Gonzalez. “When it comes to shedding pounds, the earlier you start, the easier it is.”
Show some skin.
Got a mole that wasn’t there (or at least wasn’t that color, or that big) last year? Show the doctor and ask about it.
“This could be an indication of skin cancer — the most commonly occurring cancer in men and women,” said Dr. Gonzalez.
Almost 66,000 Americans are diagnosed with melanomas of the skin each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and most of them are men. Any odd spots might need a follow-up with a dermatologist.
Go with the flow.
It’s a question the provider might ask on his or her own, but if not, don’t be afraid to mention it: Any problems with urination?
“Going frequently could be an indication of diabetes,” said Dr. Gonzalez. “Trouble going could be a problem with the prostate, such as an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer. So changes in urination habits should be discussed.”
Get the digits.
And that doesn’t mean to get the number of the medical assistant who took you to the exam room and told you to disrobe.
“You should know your blood pressure and cholesterol counts,” said Dr. Gonzalez. “And, you should know if those are high and if there’s anything you need to do about it. You also need to know, over time, what your blood pressure usually runs so you know if something is out of line.”
Caught early, dietary and exercise changes can bring blood pressure and cholesterol under control before medication is necessary.
Everything OK down there?
Most men think cancer isn’t something they need to worry about until later in life, but the average age of diagnosis for testicular cancer is 33, making it one of the most prevalent cancers for young men.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 7 percent of testicular cancer cases are diagnosed in children and adolescents, and about 7 percent are found in men older than 55. More than 8,000 new cases of testicular cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year.
“You should actually start checking for this cancer yourself when you’re in your teens,” said Dr. Gonzalez. “If you find a lump, swelling or anything else that seems abnormal, we need to discuss it. Survival rates for testicular cancer are excellent, but only if it’s found early enough.”
Don’t pass on the test.
It’s one of the thornier issues for most men: testing for sexually transmitted infections, or STIs. Most men would rather not broach the subject, and many seek screening only if they suspect they may have contracted something.
“Anyone who wonders if he needs STI testing, does,” said Dr. Gonzalez. “If you’re sexually active in a non-monogamous relationship, or if you’re uncertain about the monogamy of your partner, ask for STI testing.”
Want a wake-up call? There are more than 1.4 million Americans walking around right now with chlamydia, according to the CDC. More than 333,000 Americans have gonorrhea, and syphilis is seeing a resurgence with 10 percent more cases found year-to-year from 2012 to 2013.
Drink a bit?
Men who regularly consume alcohol should ask their primary care provider about a liver enzyme test.
“Just be candid with how much you drink and how often,” said Dr. Gonzalez. “And mention if it’s something you’re worried about. If you have a family history of liver problems, for instance — or alcoholism, for that matter — maybe we need to talk about some more testing and treatment.”
To learn more or to find a physician on Tanner’s medical staff, visit www.tanner.org or call 770.214.CARE.