By Alicia Wanek
Today, Americans are enjoying better health than in previous generations. Over the past forty years, life expectancy has increased by about five years, largely due to lifestyle changes. Several factors contribute to this longer lifespan: a significant reduction in smoking rates, healthier eating habits, increased physical activity, improved air quality, the advent of new vaccines with higher coverage rates, and a growing emphasis on preventive health care. Healthcare professionals are working to identify risk factors and prevent disease from progressing by diagnosing it early. Much of this success can be linked to advancements in radiologic screenings and examinations.
Despite this progress, a noticeable gap exists between men and women in seeking medical care. Men are only half as likely to consult a physician compared to women over a two-year span. It might be beneficial to explore ways to encourage men to pursue preventive check-ups and seek medical advice at the onset of symptoms.
Prioritizing the Well-being of Loved Ones
For many, especially from older generations, the responsibility of providing for their families carries a strong sense of obligation. In the wake of COVID-19, many women have opted or have been required to leave their jobs to care for young children, placing additional stress on men.
In order to care for the important people in their lives, men must first take care of their own health.
Maintaining good health directly influences the body’s immune system, making health screenings and regular check-ups crucial aspects of self-care. Physicians frequently recommend various preventive examinations for men, including lung screenings, prostate examinations, bone density tests, and even diagnostic mammograms (notably, men can also develop breast cancer), as part of routine health maintenance.
Maximizing Enjoyment of Life
Illness can lead to a loss of workdays, which not only impacts productivity but also cuts into personal enjoyment time. A December 2020 report from the Integrated Benefits Institute indicated that employees with sick leave, workers’ compensation, disability, and family medical leave missed approximately 978 million days due to sickness and incurred an estimated 540 million lost workdays because of underperformance by employees facing chronic health conditions. This amounts to nearly 1.5 billion days of illness-related absenteeism annually.
With such a staggering number of workdays lost to illness, one must consider how these absences affect personal enjoyment. Imagine if men could utilize sick days for leisure activities, such as playing golf or enjoying a long weekend with their partners, instead of being home sick. A prompt visit to a physician, leading to the likely necessity for radiologic screenings, may result in more time for the pursuits they love.
Financial Savings
Financial motivations can be significant when it comes to seeking health care. The costs associated with health care can be substantial, and as a condition worsens, the financial burden can escalate. A study published in the American Economic Review in 2018 revealed that for a considerable segment of the American population, a hospitalization can lead to a long-lasting decrease in income. While some recover quickly, many struggle to return to their previous income levels. On average, individuals in their 50s who are hospitalized experience a 20 percent drop in their earnings that persists for years, with income losses often overshadowing the direct costs of medical treatment.
Advancements in imaging technologies facilitate quicker and more accurate diagnoses, ultimately reducing treatment expenses. For instance, the World Health Organization has highlighted studies in affluent nations showing that early-stage cancer treatments are two to four times less expensive than treatments for advanced cancer cases.
Radiologic examinations are crucial for diagnosis. For example, Envision Imaging utilizes state-of-the-art 3T magnetic resonance technology, which shows up to 97% accuracy in detecting significant prostate cancer cases, aiding in pre-operative and treatment planning.
When patients consult their physicians early in their health challenges and receive precise diagnoses through imaging, they can enhance both their health and financial stability.
Enhancing Physical Appeal
In some instances, sheer vanity could be the driving force for men to maintain their health. It’s no secret that regular exercise and proper nutrition improve physical appearance, but being healthy on the inside can also significantly affect how others perceive us outwardly.
The body’s response to sickness can manifest in unexpected ways. For instance, individuals with heart disease may exhibit a variety of skin problems, and inadequate bone density can compromise posture. In a study conducted in the Netherlands, participants rated images of 602 individuals, revealing that those with lower blood sugar levels tended to appear, on average, one year younger than those with higher blood sugar. Nuclear medicine techniques can also investigate body organs for diseases that may influence how men look and feel. The relationship can be cyclical; psychologists note that feeling good translates to looking good, which in turn can enhance one’s overall self-esteem.
Boosting Virility
Various factors can influence men’s sexual performance, such as vascular health, cardiovascular health, low testosterone levels, or prostate issues. Envision Imaging offers radiologic solutions to assess all these concerns. Men’s reluctance to seek medical intervention may unnecessarily affect their sexual vitality. Early detection and treatment are crucial to sustaining long-term sexual health.
According to a CDC survey, the primary reason men delay seeking medical care is being too busy, followed closely by fear of discovering potential health issues and discomfort with examinations. Regardless of the underlying motivation, understanding the importance of early detection is vital. Regular physician visits are essential, especially for men experiencing any symptoms. Moreover, many contemporary imaging techniques minimize discomfort and possibly reduce the number of required visits for men. It’s crucial to ensure those extra years of life are the best they can be.
Editor’s Note: For additional details on preventive imaging options, visit www.envrad.com.
