Beyond Blue November: 5 reasons for men to take care of their health

O Blue november month of awareness about men’s integral health, comes to an end this Wednesday (30).

With emphasis on the prevention of prostate cancer, the initiative also emphasizes the need for periodic medical monitoring in order to identify diseases and other health problems at an early stage.

A recent survey carried out by the Brazilian Society of Urology (SBU), with data from the Ministry of Health’s Outpatient Information System, pointed out that men take less care of their health than women.

In 2021, in the Unified Health System (SUS), there were 862 million consultations for the female public against 725.4 million for the male public. This year, until June, there were 379.4 million against 312.4 million.

A study carried out by Instituto Lado a Lado Pela Vida revealed that 62% of Brazilian men visit the doctor only when they have unbearable symptoms.

From regular consultations, it is possible to prevent and treat in a timely manner diseases of the reproductive system and urinary tract, such as kidney, penis and prostate cancer, urinary and sexually transmitted infections, phimosis, erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.

Urologist and oncologist Bruno Benigno, from Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, in São Paulo, says that the motivation for seeking medical care varies according to age.

“Adolescents tend to go to the urologist for questions related to the development of puberty or a child’s phimosis that has not been resolved. Young adults usually go to a specialist for fertility issues, looking to start a new married life and have a checkup or are trying to get pregnant, ”she says.

The expert points out that the perception of preventive medical care tends to emerge as men get older.

“The adult man begins to have a greater concern with prevention and begins to notice the symptoms related to prostate enlargement, which occurs from the age of 35. The symptoms are a weak urine stream, the feeling that sometimes the bladder does not empty completely, you start waking up more than once at night to urinate and that starts to bother you, ”he says.

See five reasons why men should prioritize health care.

1. Special attention to the prostate

Data from the National Cancer Institute (Inca) point to 65,840 new cases of prostate cancer each year, between 2020 and 2022.

The tumor is the second cause of cancer death in men in Brazil. The highest incidence occurs after the age of 50.

“The measurement of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and the rectal examination, in addition to the prostate biopsy in the necessary cases, are fundamental to diagnose the disease, being considered some of the essential tests for male health”, explains the coordinator of Urology at Grupo Fleury , Jose Carlos Truzzi.

Doctor Bruno Benigno explains that the reasons for the development of prostate cancer are not completely known.

However, poor diet, obesity, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can affect the onset or progression of the disease. Genetics is also a key factor in the development of this type of cancer.

“Prostate cancer is a silent disease whose main risk factors are age, over 50 years, having a father or brother who manifested prostate cancer before the age of 60. In addition to indirect risk factors known by many, such as a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, which can indirectly increase the risk of man manifesting any type of cancer, ”he says.

Experts recommend that those with a family history should have routine checkups earlier, around age 45.

Although it may be a silent disease, prostate cancer can show signs, especially in advanced cases.

Symptoms related to advanced prostate cancer are muscle pain, bone pain in the lower back and lower pelvis, painful urination, bleeding in the urine or at the time of ejaculation, and weight loss. Some men can open the picture of the disease with urinary retention, a complete difficulty in eliminating urine from the bladder, which can lead to the suspicion of the existence of cancer.

Bruno Benigno, urologist and oncologist

2. Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction, the inability to have an erection that allows you to have sexual intercourse, can have different origins.

The problem may arise as a vascular phenomenon, as a result of hormonal changes or dependence on the use of certain medications, or as a result of anatomical problems.

3. Cardiovascular diseases

The risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases are hypertension, smoking, overweight, sedentary lifestyle and high cholesterol

Adopting healthy habits, such as practicing physical exercises and having a balanced diet, are fundamental.

In addition, periodically consulting a doctor and having a checkup allows you to identify the potential risks of heart disease.

4. Musculoskeletal health care

Physiatry is a specialty dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to the nervous, muscular and osteoarticular systems, focusing on the body profile, physical and motor capacity of each individual.

“She has a clinical and preventive approach, analyzes the potential of musculoskeletal diseases and studies the weaknesses of each one to avoid injuries and identify risks of diseases such as arthrosis”, explains Truzzi.

“From the age of 50, individuals need to pay more attention to the musculoskeletal and locomotor apparatus, as a more serious injury, for example, can compromise important functions”, he adds.

5. Cognitive capacity

Due to aging, a decrease in productivity, difficulty in performing motor activities and a decline in linguistic ability and memory can be manifested.

“In the mature man, the concerns that lead him to the urologist end up changing a little. He is already beginning to notice a decrease in libido, difficulty in gaining or maintaining muscle mass, loss of concentration and the concern of screening for prostate cancer. The urologist is present in the different stages of a man’s life”, says Benigno.

Doctor José Carlos Truzzi states that, in general, the ways to prevent and prevent progressive cognitive decline are still not fully understood.

“Ultimately the dementias that arise from the most comprehensive and intense cognitive loss. However, we know that regular physical activity, calibrated sleep and balanced diets based on fresh and minimally processed foods – such as the Mediterranean diet, for example – are allies in preserving cognitive capacity”, he explains.