In June, Piedmont is recognizing Men’s Health Month, a time when all men are encouraged to prioritize their health by scheduling annual physicals and age-appropriate screenings and committing to healthier daily habits.
A critical piece of preventive care is a yearly physical with a primary care physician. These visits allow patients to establish an ongoing relationship with a medical practice, while an annual checkup gives providers the opportunity to establish a health baseline and monitor changes over time.
“A routine physical is like regular maintenance for your vehicle,” said Jon McGough, M.D., an internal medicine physician at Piedmont Physicians Athens Prince Avenue. “You wouldn’t wait for your truck to break down before taking it to the mechanic. The same concept applies to your health.”
Health officials recommend several annual screenings for men ages 45 and older, including a complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, cholesterol panel, thyroid screening, and prostate-specific antigen test. Though routine, these labs can help detect serious conditions early.
“For example, colon cancer can sometimes first appear as anemia on a blood test,” Dr. McGough said. “If something looks off, it’s often a signal to look closer.”
Colon cancer screening now begins at age 45, a change from the long-standing recommendation of age 50. Men who smoke may also need to begin annual low-dose CT scans for lung cancer starting at age 55.
Experts also stress the importance of lifestyle balance. Men are encouraged to carve out time for physical activity, hobbies, and stress management a few days each week, whether it’s walking, hiking, fishing, cooking outdoors, or simply unplugging from screens.
“Too often, men put their health last,” Dr. McGough said. “We’ve seen how work-life imbalance and chronic stress take a toll, even for those working from home.”
Men face higher rates of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, suicide, and skin cancer compared to women. While causes vary, contributing factors include occupation, diet, work hours, stress, and family medical history.
Health professionals emphasize that early detection saves lives, and that seeking care is a sign of responsibility, not weakness.
“There is nothing masculine about ignoring your health or missing a chance to catch a preventable disease early,” Dr. McGough said.
For more information about preventive care and men’s health screenings, individuals are encouraged to contact their primary care provider. To find a primary care provider in your area, visit piedmont.org/primarycare.
