Why Many Men Don't Get Annual Physicals and 5 Reasons They Should

You feel healthy overall, so why prioritize an annual physical? The truth is, yearly exams can help protect you from serious health problems by catching signs and risk factors early. 

While everyone can benefit from an annual wellness checkup, one-third of men in the United States feel that they’re unnecessary. It’s never too late to turn that around.

Our team at Comprehensive Primary Care in Lawrenceville and Suwanee, Georgia, provides annual physicals for adults of all ages to help them thrive.

Why men shouldn’t skip annual physicals

A national survey showed that 65% of men skip the exams because they feel healthier than other men. But feeling healthy and actually being healthy aren’t the same thing. 

Many diseases are preventable, treatable, or even curable when detected early on. In addition, you may not realize that something you’re dealing with and consider a normal part of aging actually stems from a medical cause. 

Men live about six years less than women, on average, and skipping preventive medical care could be one reason. So rather than bypass annual physicals, make them a priority — for your sake and the sake of your loved ones who want you around as long as possible.

Your annual physical can also make sure a range of common concerns — from high cholesterol and weight control challenges to sleep difficulties and chronic pain — are professionally addressed. 

Why you need annual physicals

Here’s a look at five conditions men are prone to that we can address early on thanks to comprehensive annual exams:

High blood pressure

High blood pressure is known as the “silent killer,” because you may not notice any symptoms before a serious event, such as a heart attack, happens. 

Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, a leading cause of death in the United States. Your blood pressure check at your annual physical is a simple way to stay ahead of these risks.

Risk of skin cancer

Skin cancer is the most common cancer type in the United States, affecting one in five Americans. While anyone can develop it, men are significantly less likely to use sunscreen than women. And nothing fuels skin cancer like ultraviolet ray exposure.

Your yearly physical provides a chance to have a medical professional look over your skin to catch any early signs of this disease. Most skin cancers are quite treatable when detected early on.

Risk of prostate cancer

One in every eight men will develop prostate cancer, making it the second most common cancer in male adults. Having an advanced stage of prostate cancer nearly doubles your likelihood of death from the disease. 

Depending on your risk factors and any symptoms you may have, such as difficulty urinating normally, your annual physical may include prostate cancer tests.

Risk of liver disease

Twice as many men develop liver disease compared with women, perhaps due to the fact that men drink quite a bit more alcohol, on average. 

You’ll discuss your lifestyle habits and family medical history with your provider during your annual exam, which helps them determine your risk level for liver diseases, like cirrhosis. If needed, we may order a blood test to detect signs of liver problems.

Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects more than half of men in the US at some point. In some cases, difficulty achieving or maintaining erections stems from an underlying disease that needs treatment. Regardless, treatment for ED can help restore any sexual vitality you miss.

The support you need is just a phone call away. To get on the path to better health in the long term, contact us at Comprehensive Primary Care by phone or online to schedule your annual physical today at our Lawrenceville or Suwanee, Georgia, location.