5 Health Problems That Pose a Risk to Men’s Health

1.   Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common health issues faced by men – and only men – since the prostate gland is only found in biologically male persons.

Studies show that around 1 in every 8 males will be afflicted by prostate cancer, with the majority of positive diagnoses occurring in men above 65 years of age. With that said, only 1 in 41 men who have prostate cancer die from the disease. While it is one of the most survival variants of cancer, it still pays to be proactive with screening for the disease to detect and treat it earlier.

Screening for prostate cancer involves extracting blood to detect the presence of a prostate-specific antigen. It also requires a urologist (a physician who specializes in the urinary tract and the male reproductive system) to perform a digital rectal exam.

2.   Lung Cancer

Lung cancer starts in the lungs but often spreads slowly to other parts of the body. Because of its gradual growth, it may take years for the symptoms to manifest. And by the time of detection, cancer may already be in its advanced stages. Studies show that lung cancer is the 3^rd leading cause of death in the Philippines.

One of the tragedies of lung cancer is that it is easily preventable. Studies show that 90% of lung cancers are caused by smoking, and with a higher percentage of male smokers (35%) than female smokers (6%), men are disproportionately affected by this disease.

Ceasing smoking is the best way to prevent lung cancer. If your loved ones are still in the habit of smoking tobacco products, you may want to discourage them from smoking. For high-risk individuals, it may be wise to talk them into undergoing a chest CT scan to screen for malignant tumors.

3.   Diabetes

With the modern world’s carb and sugar-rich diet as well as the prevalence of a sedentary lifestyle, it is no wonder that diabetes is on the rise in the Philippines. Moreover, studies show that men seem to be afflicted with diabetes more than women.

Diabetes, if ignored and hasn’t been medically attended to, is deadly in itself. However, it can also cause complications like amputations, blindness, stroke, and kidney failure, putting the patient further at risk.

You can control the onset of diabetes through proper diet and physical exercise. It is important to do so as being overweight increases your chances of developing type 2 diabetes by sevenfold. 

4.   Heart Problems

Heart problems, or cardiovascular diseases, are a catch-all term for any disease that affects the heart. However, the common denominator of cardiovascular diseases is the gradual cholesterol build-up that blocks the arteries supplying blood to the heart and the brain, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Cardiovascular diseases and their complications have been the leading cause of death in the Philippines for a while now. While heart problems are the number one killer of both men and women in the Philippines, statistics show that more men die from it than women.

While heart problems can be inherited, you can manage your risks with proper diet and exercise. You should also reduce your intake of fatty and cholesterol-rich foods and stop smoking to further reduce your risks of developing heart diseases.

5.   Depression

A common misconception about depression is that it is “only in your head.” Depression is caused by an imbalance of chemicals and hormones in your brain, which can cause you to have severe mood swings, loss of appetite and sleep, and lower energy levels. At its worst, the symptoms of depression can lead people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies.

While women tend to have more diagnosed cases of depression and other mental illnesses, the societal pressures on men have discouraged them from seeking help from psychiatrists and instead turn towards substance abuse and antisocial behavior as a coping mechanism.

As with any disease, depression and mental health illnesses can be treated through medication and therapy. However, the first step to be taken is admitting that you have a problem and need to seek professional help. Fortunately, the openness towards discussing mental health issues has improved in recent years, reducing the stigma on people and men, in particular, who have it.

Look After Yourself for the People You Love

The diseases on this list are common and have plagued men’s health since time immemorial. However, they have largely gone unnoticed and undiagnosed because of men’s hesitance to get professional help.

To get to the root cause of these health issues, the first step is accepting that you’re not invincible and that you will be a better version of yourself and your loved ones once you are back in full health.

If worries about your finances are stopping you from seeking treatment, you should invest in a health insurance plan to ensure that you and your loved ones are well taken care of in case of difficulties. BPI AIA offers a wide array of health insurance plans that will fit your lifestyle. Schedule a virtual appointment with our agent today to get started.