Men’s Health Month is a timely reminder to check in on a part of health that often gets delayed: preventive care. For many men, it can be easy to put off an annual visit when life is busy and nothing feels urgent. But routine care helps identify concerns early, often before symptoms appear, and creates a plan to stay healthy for the long term. National data show that men face high rates of conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, making regular checkups and age-appropriate screenings especially important.
“Many men delay preventive care for a range of reasons, including busy schedules, discomfort with medical settings, and longstanding stigma around asking for help or addressing symptoms early,” says Dr. Kevin Downard, a physician and medical director. “There’s still a common mindset that if nothing feels seriously wrong, there’s no reason to see a doctor. But routine care is not just for when something is wrong, it’s how we catch potential issues before they become more serious.”
That hesitation can have real consequences. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes, and some cancers may not cause noticeable symptoms right away. A primary care visit helps establish a baseline, review personal and family history, and determine which screenings make sense based on age and risk factors. For many adults, that may include blood pressure checks, cholesterol testing, diabetes screening, colorectal cancer screening, and conversations about prostate health when appropriate.
Dr. Downard adds, “Routine primary care visits play an important role in long-term health. These appointments help identify risk factors early, open the door to important screenings, and allow concerns to be addressed before they progress. In some cases, preventative care appointments can make the difference between life and death.”
Appointments and screenings to prioritize
- Annual primary care visit to review your overall health, medications, family history, and prevention plan
- Blood pressure screening, since hypertension is common and often has no symptoms
- Cholesterol and cardiovascular risk screening
- Diabetes screening
- Colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 45 for average-risk adults
- Prostate health conversations and screening decisions based on age, family history, and personal risk
- Mental health check-ins and other recommended preventive services, including vaccines, as advised by your clinician
Preventive care does not have to be complicated. Often, the first step is simply making the appointment. Once you are there, your care team can help you understand what screenings are recommended now, what can wait, and what lifestyle changes may support your long-term health goals.
Dr. Downard concludes, “This summer as we celebrate Men’s Health Month and Father’s Day, it’s a great time to schedule the appointments you or your loved ones have been putting off. A visit with a primary care doctor can include simple but important checks, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and other recommended screenings based on age, family history, and personal risk. These routine steps can help detect health concerns early, often before symptoms appear.”
If you have been meaning to schedule a checkup, Men’s Health Month is a good time to start. A routine visit can be a simple, practical step toward protecting your health now and in the years ahead. Call us today to learn more about our services and how we can help support your long-term health.
Dr. Kevin Downard is a Physician and Medical Director at the Greenfield location of the Jane Pauley Community Health Center. He has been practicing medicine for 7 years and received his MD from Indiana University.
