Men’s Health
Pakenham men’s health
At Pakenham Family Health we understand that when it comes to prevention and early detection men’s health often takes the back seat. Men are more likely to put off routine checkups and also delay seeing a Doctor for symptoms of a health problem. Working-aged men are less likely to have a regular doctor compared to working-aged women. We encourage our male patients to find a doctor in our practice who is most suited to them. Our 5 male and 5 female doctors of various ages and styles of practicing medicine, give our patients the ability to choose the right ‘fit’ for them.
We also encourage our male patients to understand the value of their health. If found early, many of the health conditions and diseases that men face can be prevented or treated.
In order to start taking better care of their health, it is important for men to understand their risk factors and how they can improve their overall health. The most common conditions affecting men – heart disease, prostate, testicular, and colon cancer, and osteoporosis later in life – have important nutritional and lifestyle implications.
Cancer Screening for Men
Cancer screenings are available for most common cancers. Bowel cancer screening and regular skin checks are important for all, but there are specific cancers that affect men only.
Testicular cancer strikes young and it is the most common cancer in young men. Men should check regularly for any unusual thickening or lumps in their testicles.
Men over 40 should talk to their doctor about testing for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. When detected early, prostate cancer survival rates are better than 98%.
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a simple routine blood test and it is the primary method of testing for prostate cancer. You should be talking to your doctor about whether testing is right for you.
For more information go to www.prostate.org.au
Mental Health
Possibly the most overlooked aspect aspect in men’s health field is Mental Health. Men in general find it hard to acknowledge that they have any health problem, let alone mental health issues. They tend to put off getting any kind of help because they think they’re supposed to be tough, self-reliant, able to manage pain and take charge of situations. Depression is a very common but serious condition with 1 in 8 Australian men experiencing it at some stage in their lives. You need to know the signs – not only for you, but also for your mates and family.
Minor Surgical and Other Procedures