As we celebrate our dads and our children’s dads on Father’s Day, we should take time to consider the health of these men in our lives. According to the CDC, women are 100% more likely than men to see a doctor for yearly check-ups and preventative services. With that statistic in mind, it is not surprising that life expectancy for men is 5.4 years less than for women. National Men’s Health Week, ending on Father’s Day, was enacted to shed light on these disturbing trends and to persuade men to seek out appropriate health screenings.

Dr. Andrew Pippas, medical director of the John B. Amos Cancer Center, underscores the importance of routine examinations for men. “I believe that men should undertake regular preventive services, including an annual blood pressure check, cholesterol level check and evaluation of their weight beginning in at least their mid-30s,” he said. In addition, he encourages routine blood testing including a complete blood count, metabolic panel and a fasting lipid panel. “It is absolutely essential,” he said.

Cancer, heart disease and stroke rates are all higher in men than women, but these numbers could be lowered through routine check-ups and basic tests. For colorectal cancer, Pippas recommends yearly screening beginning at age 50. “My personal preference is a colonoscopy, although other screening methods are also effective, such as a sigmoidoscopy and barium enema,” Pippas stated. He adds that any adult male with family history of colon cancer affecting a sibling or parent should undergo a yearly colonoscopy beginning “10 years earlier than the onset of cancer in the affected family member” or at age 40, whichever comes first.

Pippas reports controversy surrounding some screenings, such as those for prostate cancer, but recommends an annual Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test and Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) for his patients beginning at age 50, and for those with a family history of prostate cancer, age 40.

Also considered controversial are yearly chest x-rays to screen for lung cancer. Some physicians recommend them for smokers over 45, but Pippas remains skeptical. “For men who smoke, the best thing a man can do to decrease his risk of lung cancer is simply stopping smoking,” he said.

Because each of the dads in our lives has a unique body chemistry and family history, only his doctor can decide which tests he needs and when. Use the handy checklist on page 11 from the Men’s Health Network to help convince the dad in your life to make an appointment with his doctor soon. You can view additional information at www.menshealthnetwork.org and www.menshealthweek.org.