There has been much discussion about the ways in which the healthcare system fails women. Research shows that physicians are more likely to dismiss some of the concerns women report and to overlook some of the ways disease, especially heart disease, presents differently in women. There is no question that men face distinct health disparities of their own including an average life expectancy that trails women by roughly five years (74.8 for men vs. 80.2 for women in the US)! When it comes to men, it isn’t the system or medical providers doing the dismissing and overlooking. It is the men themselves.

So, in honor of Men’s Health Month and the upcoming Father’s Day. We offer the following information as a love letter of sorts to the men we know and care about:

Dear Men,

We’d really like to keep you around for as long as possible, but right now the odds are stacked against you. While you are more likely than women to develop a chronic disease, you are less likely than women to seek preventive healthcare and mental health support. You should really think about how easy it would be to change those numbers.

Consider the following:

Health Risk Factors for Men

• Cancer Risk: 1 in 2 men will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetime, compared to 1 in 3 women.
• Prostate Cancer: Approximately 230,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually in the U.S., making it the most common male cancer and a leading cause of cancer death.
• Cardiovascular Risks: 50% of all adult men suffer from high blood pressure, a primary risk factor for heart attacks and stroke.
• Depression: More than 30% of men will experience depression in their lifetimes.
• Suicide Rates: The male suicide rate is roughly four times higher than that of women, making it one of the leading causes of death for younger men.

Behavioral Risk Factors for Men

• Avoiding the Doctor: More than 40% of men only seek medical care when they suspect a severe or advanced health condition.
• Lack of Screenings: About 55% of men do not get regular health screenings, an issue that is particularly elevated among men of color.
• Lifestyle Factors: Roughly 11.5% of adult men smoke cigarettes, and a third (34.1%) are classified as overweight.
• Stigma & Treatment: Only about 25% of depressed men discuss their condition with a mental health professional.

Here’s the good news: many of the health conditions that cause the greatest harm to men can be prevented, treated successfully, or managed effectively when caught early. That means that a few proactive steps can dramatically improve the odds of you staying healthy and living longer.

The Cancers Men Should Watch For

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Men over age 50 are significantly more likely than women to develop melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Researchers believe this is partly due to greater lifetime sun exposure and partly because men are less likely to use sunscreen and seek routine skin checks.

Fortunately, skin cancer is highly treatable when detected early. A changing mole, a spot that won’t heal, or a new growth should never be ignored. Regular sunscreen use, protective clothing, and periodic skin examinations remain some of the simplest cancer prevention tools available. Those little bits of prevention can make a huge difference!

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men. About one in eight men will be diagnosed during their lifetime. Age, family history, and African American ancestry all increase your risk of developing prostate cancer.

The good news is that many prostate cancers are found early through routine screening and monitoring. Current screening recommendations can vary based on your age and individual risk factors, so the best approach is to start a conversation with your healthcare provider around age 45–50 about what kind of screening makes sense for you. Your annual physical is a great time to have this discussion (you get those, don’t you?). In most cases, a simple blood test called a PSA test is the primary screening tool. Depending on your situation, a digital rectal exam may also be considered.

Testicular cancer, while less common overall, is the most common cancer in younger men. The encouraging news is that it’s highly treatable, especially when caught early. The key is awareness. Knowing what’s normal for your body and paying attention to changes, like a lump, swelling, or a feeling of heaviness can help you catch problems early. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s always worth getting checked out.

Colorectal cancer deserves special attention because rates are rising among younger adults. While it was once considered primarily a disease of older adults, more cases are now being diagnosed before age 50. The encouraging part is that colon cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented through screening. Colonoscopies can identify and remove precancerous polyps before they ever become cancer.

The “Silent” Threats: Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, and Diabetes

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men in the United States.

One reason it remains so dangerous is that its biggest risk factors often produce few symptoms until significant damage has already occurred.

High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because many people feel perfectly healthy even as it quietly damages the blood vessels, heart, kidneys, and brain. Elevated cholesterol is similarly quiet. Type 2 diabetes can develop gradually for years before obvious symptoms appear.

The good news is that these conditions are remarkably measurable, controllable, and even reversible.

A simple blood pressure check, cholesterol panel, and A1C blood test can reveal a great deal about your current health and future risk. In many cases, lifestyle changes, medication, or both can significantly reduce the likelihood of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and other complications.

Know Your Biometrics!

If you know only a handful of health numbers, these should be on the list:

• Blood pressure
• Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol
• A1C (a measure of average blood sugar)
• Waist circumference and body weight
• Resting heart rate

Think of these as your personal health dashboard. You don’t need to obsess over every number, but it helps to know where you stand.

Your Mental Health Matters Too

Physical health gets most of the attention, but mental health deserves equal consideration. Men are less likely than women to seek treatment for depression, anxiety, or emotional distress. They are also more likely to die by suicide.

One reason is that depression in men doesn’t always look like sadness. It may appear as irritability, anger, withdrawal, loss of motivation, increased alcohol use, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems, or simply feeling emotionally numb.

Many men have spent years believing they should “tough it out” or handle problems on their own. Unfortunately, untreated depression rarely improves through willpower alone.

Seeking help is not a sign of weakness. It is a health decision, no different from treating high blood pressure or a broken bone. Effective treatments exist, and recovery is much more likely if you seek help.

A Word About Testosterone

You may have noticed an explosion of advertisements promoting testosterone testing and hormone replacement therapy.

Testosterone naturally declines with age, but low testosterone can also be associated with obesity, sleep apnea, diabetes, certain medications, and other medical conditions.

Symptoms can include fatigue, reduced muscle mass, decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and low mood. However, many of these symptoms can also be caused by other health issues.

That is why testosterone treatment should begin with proper evaluation and testing rather than marketing claims. For men with truly low testosterone and symptoms, treatment may be beneficial. For others, addressing sleep, exercise, weight, stress, or underlying medical conditions may be the better solution.

Five Things Every Man Can Do This Year

If all of this feels overwhelming, don’t worry. Most of the benefits come from a few simple actions:

1. Schedule recommended cancer screenings.
2. Know your blood pressure, cholesterol, and A1C numbers.
3. Use sunscreen and pay attention to changing spots on your skin.
4. Take symptoms of depression, anxiety, or burnout seriously.
5. Establish a relationship with a healthcare provider before you need one.

These are small, doable steps that can help you stay healthier and be around longer.

And if you’re reading this because you’re concerned about a father, husband, brother, son, or friend, consider sharing this blog with them. Sometimes the most important health intervention is simply starting the conversation.

Happy Father’s Day and Men’s Health Month!