LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - This weekend, celebrations about fathers or father figures are taking stage. But Father’s Day weekend isn’t just a chance for us to say ‘thank you’ for all their hard work. As health care professionals say, it’s a chance for dads to think about their own health.
June is Men’s Health Month, a time to raise awareness of the health issues specific to men.
CDC data shows heart disease and certain types of cancers, including prostate, lung and colorectal, are the leading causes of death for men.
But the catch is, men can lower their risk for those diseases with a trip to the doctor. It’s something men are more likely to put off.
That’s why Dr. Steven Patton, a primary care doctor with Norton Healthcare, said it’s important for men to get their routine check-ups and screenings before they become bigger issues.
“On average, we’re living 6 years less than our female counterparts, and a lot of that is, we don’t have enough time for our own health maintenance. We say, ‘I’m always working,’ or ‘I have to be here at these events.’ But we don’t invest in ourselves enough. And if we don’t invest in ourselves, how can we take care of the family or the loved ones we want?” Dr. Patton said.
Dr. Patton says the best thing men can do to prioritize their health is to get themselves established with a primary care doctor they trust.
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