When men worry about their health, heart disease, prostate problems, and colorectal cancer are significant areas of concern.
These conditions require a serious approach, but the good news is that screening is easy, readily available, and highly effective.
Cardiology
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men in the United States, but it can often be managed or prevented. In my cardiology practice, I use screening to diagnose issues early and help through medication, lifestyle changes, etc.
You should have blood pressure and cholesterol screenings at annual primary care visits. If these tests are normal and you don’t have symptoms or risk factors, you won’t need more testing.
Patients with high blood pressure or cholesterol, symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath, and risk factors like obesity, diabetes, or family history may be referred to a cardiologist. We offer indepth screening using X-ray, CT, MRI, angiogram, and more.
Your screening plan is based on your symptoms and risk factors.
For example, calcium scoring tests use CT to look for deposits that can cause clogged arteries. An electrocardiogram shows if your heart beats effectively and if you have rhythm abnormalities. An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to evaluate problems with your heart valves. Stress testing tests the heart at work, so you exercise while we measure blood pressure and heart rate.
We also have tests for specific conditions like atrial fibrillation and abdominal aortic aneurysm.
By Dr. Bilawal Ahmed Talk to your provider about your screening needs so you can stay on top of your heart health!
Colonoscopy
When it comes to colorectal cancer, screening can prevent a serious diagnosis.
As a gastroenterologist, I know colonoscopies aren’t popular, but they truly save lives because we can remove polyps before they become cancerous. Even if we find cancer, identifying it early makes it much easier to treat with better outcomes.
Average-risk patients should have their first colonoscopy at age 45. If we don’t find anything, you’ll only need to repeat the test every ten years through age 75.
If you’re high-risk due to a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or a personal history of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, you may need a first colonoscopy sooner and more frequent tests. I encourage all men to talk to their providers about their specific needs.
Prostate Screening
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, but there is excellent screening to catch the disease while it’s still highly treatable. As a medical oncologist, I urge men to take advantage of screening, especially as their risk increases with age.
A prostate-specific antigen test is done by a simple blood draw. Men should have the test starting at age 50 during their annual primary care visit or earlier if they are high-risk.
The test measures the level of Prostate- Specific Antigen in the blood. Patients with high levels usually need additional testing, such as a prostate MRI and biopsy. High-risk patients may also qualify for genetic testing.
If you catch prostate cancer early, you might only need surveillance. Even if you need surgery, radiation, or both, earlystage prostate cancer is often curable.
Learn more!
Regional One Health provides multispecialty care to help men improve their health. For appointments with cardiologist Dr. Showkat Haji and gastroenterologist Dr. Leonard Baidoo, call 901.545.6969. For appointments with medical oncologist Dr. Bilawal Ahmed, call 901.515.HOPE (4673).
