Celebrate Men’s Health Week & Month Throughout June

Make it all about the fellas during June, when Men’s Health Month takes center stage — an especially June 12-18, when Men’s Health Week takes over the calendar.

The purpose of the week and month are simple, and laudable: heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

Men aren't always the best about taking care of themselves. Sure, plenty are good about diet and exercise, but when was the last time your dad, husband, brother, son (you get the idea) went in for an annual physical? If the answer is “I have no clue,” then do a little nudging to get that doc visit on the calendar right away.

A regular doctor’s visit, even if there’s nothing wrong, is a great way for men (and women) to make sure they’re staying on top of screenings. For men, especially those over 50, that’s the time to make sure that testosterone and Prostate Specific Antigen, or PSA, levels are checked through bloodwork (the best way to get early signs of prostate cancer or other trouble), schedule a colonoscopy if one’s needed and even keep tabs of little, but important things, like tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough boosters.

Still on the fence? Use this handy checklist to see where you’re all caught up, and what might need some attention.

Since it began in 1994, Men’s Health Month has been out there trying to get men to take care of their physical and mental health through screenings, health fairs and other education/outreach activities. A big part of Men’s Health Week is Wear Blue Friday, which takes place this year on June 16, the Friday before Father’s Day. Break out those blue scrubs!

Men (and women) often put the health of others before their own, or as we mentioned earlier think they’re doing great because they’re crushing it at the gym and eat clean. But cancer and other killers strike the young and healthy, so it’s important to get that annual physical take care of, and pay attention to little signs that the body may be sending out. Good health is as much about prevention as it is about diet, exercise and work/life balance. Do your part, and it’ll all come together!