GREATER AWARENESS OF MEN’S HEALTH ISSUES WILL SAVE LIVES
Men who lay a healthy foundation during their 20s are more likely to avoid preventable diseases later in life, according to Dr Olekantse kakabe.
“Gone are the days of ignoring symptoms and ‘toughing it out”, he said. Adding “Heart disease, for instance, is a major killer around the world, and is so often preventable through the adoption of a healthier lifestyle which includes a balanced diet and exercise.”
“Cancers of the prostate can be most dangerous if left untreated, but they can be successfully managed and often even cured if tackled early. Indeed, if prostate cancer is detected while it is localised or still confined to the prostate gland itself, the five-year survival rate is almost 100%,” observed Dr kakabe.
After a certain age, regular health check-ups are a must for both men and women and men above the age of 40 should approach their health in a specific way,” he said in an interview recently.
This includes going for tests, and among them is a regular blood pressure check. “Over 80 per cent of people with hypertension do not have any symptoms and the only way to figure it out is by evaluation. Cardiac evaluation would include cholesterol levels and if there is an imbalance, it will have to be corrected before it causes atheromatous plaques in the blood vessels to heart, brain, limbs for example,” the doctor explains.
Next would be to evaluate the pre-diabetic state. “This will help determine if the person is on the course of metabolic syndrome and ofcourse correction in lifestyle will need to be immediately adopted to prevent future disorders,” he added.
According to Dr Kakabe, the next set of evaluations pertains to cancer. In this, prostate cancer tops the list. Lung cancer by chest X-ray, colorectal cancer by annual stool examination for occult blood and sigmoidoscopy/ colonoscopy once every 3-5 years, as indicated. “Screening for testicular cancer is done with ultrasound examination of scrotum. Genetic testing for various inherited disorders and cancers is now possible and a person needs to undergo it only once to evaluate risks.”
Tests should also be done for osteoporosis or weakening of bones, he said, adding that vitamin D is important for absorption of calcium and depositing in the bones, and if this has dropped, it will need to be corrected.
The doctor mentions hormone testing, but one that is not limited to thyroid. “It should include testosterone for hypogonadism, which impacts nearly a third of men above 40.
Check for levels of vitamin B12 and serum ferritin for the quality of hemoglobin. Normal hemoglobin values will allow physical activity without breathlessness.”
Other tests that are a must include dental check up and infectious disease screening for sexually transmitted diseases like HIV, syphillis, chlamydia; diseases like Hepatitis C, B amongst others.