There is so much going on in June. It heralds the arrival of summer, with swimming, grilling out and traveling on many people’s agendas.
It’s also the month when Father’s Day is celebrated — which this year is shared with West Virginia Day and the summer solstice.
That’s why Men’s Health Week is observed in the week leading up to Father’s Day. The general theme is that men might not be as likely to schedule checkups and routine testing as women.
Not so coincidentally, Women’s Health Week falls in May, around the same time as Mother’s Day. Because of COVID-19 events, that celebration slipped by this column space.
But let’s face it — because of the pandemic, many people are behind on routine health screenings. So let’s address those now.
Here are some guidelines for women and men:
Physical exam: Every year if you are 50 and older, two years for 40 and older and three years for 20 and older.
Blood pressure: Every year for all adults.
Tuberculosis skin test: Every five years.
Blood panel and urinalysis: Same as physical exams.
Tetanus booster: Every 10 years.
Hemoccult: Screening for minute amounts of blood in the stool, every year ages 40 and older.
Colonoscopy: Screenings usually began at age 50, but those with symptoms and/or family histories of colon cancer should discuss this with their health care provider.
Sexually transmitted diseases: All sexually active people should be tested for STDs at least once. Discuss with your health care provider if you should get tested more often.
The checklist for women also includes:
An annual clinical breast exam for ages 20 and over; an annual mammogram beginning at age 50. Once again, those with a family history of breast cancer should discuss this with their health care providers.
Self-exams: Monthly for 20 and over for
breast, skin and oral abnormalities.
Begin getting Pap tests at age 21. If it’s normal, your health care provider might say you can wait three years before getting the next one.
Bone health density test: Beginning at age 50.
The checklist for men also includes:
PSA blood test: Men at average risk of prostate cancer should begin discussing the prostate-specific antigen test with their health care providers at age 50, according to Cancer.org. Men at higher than average risk should have the discussion around ages 40-45.
Self-exams: Monthly for 20 and over for testicles, skin, oral and breast abnormalities.
Bone health: Screening is recommended at age 60 but discuss with your health care provider if this is the right choice for you.
Testosterone screening: Low testosterone can lead to low sex drive, fatigue and depression. You can discuss screenings with your health care provider. Screenings usually begin at age 40.
In any given year, Monongalia County Health Department would remind adults there are other vaccines to consider: An annual influenza vaccine, a measles vaccine if not fully inoculated, hepatitis A and B (either individually or combined) if one were not given them as a child, Shingrix for shingles at age 50 and pneumococcal at age 65, unless an individual’s health indicates it should be given earlier.
You can make an appointment for those vaccines at MCHD Clinical Services by calling 304-598-5119. MCHD also conducts free STD testing and provides women’s health exams and mammogram referrals.
And this wouldn’t be 2021 if MCHD also didn’t encourage anyone who hasn’t gotten a COVID-19 vaccine to sign up for one today at Vaccine.WVUMedicine.org or by calling 833-795-SHOT (7468).
Email Mary Wade Burnside at MaryWade.Burnside@wv.gov.
