Is Your Guy Man Enough for the Doctor?

By Marianne Wait

Ladies: How manly is your man? He may be able to build a campfire in the woods or fix the sink when it leaks, and maybe he can even rock your world in the bedroom-but is he man enough to get his prostate checked?

Many guys are about as likely to see the doctor voluntarily as they are to ask for directions, especially when nothing's broken, bleeding profusely or about to fall off. But getting checkups can be a lifesaver. That's why the men of Sharecare are looking so hairy these days. They're showing-make that growing-their support for men's health issues in honor of Movember, a campaign to raise awareness of (and funds for) prostate cancer and testicular cancer. Check out the photo to see their progress. Yes, the "Mo" in Movember is for mustache!

Health mistakes men make

Why would men rather snake a drain than see the doctor? "Men think taking care of themselves is a sign of weakness. It acknowledges vulnerability, and men are supposed to be tough," says Sharecare expert David Katz, MD, director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine.

Whether or not to get prostate cancer screening is a decision every man has to make for himself. There are pros (like the possibility of detecting the disease early) and cons (like the possibility of unnecessary treatment). The truth is, the jury's out on whether or not the PSA test for prostate cancer saves lives. But before your guy decides to have it or skip it, have him read this man's story of how the PSA test likely saved his life. And even if your guy opts against a PSA test, there are plenty of other reasons to get a checkup.

One man's eye-opening story of how the PSA test saved his life

So, how do you get your man to go to the doctor? Comedian Steve Harvey told us how his wife gets him to go: "She tells me how much the family's dependent on me, how much she loves me, how nobody's going to be able to live without me. That's pretty good to know you're needed and wanted, and that usually gets me to the doctor. If a guy thinks somebody needs him, he'll pretty much show up. It's part of who we are."

If that doesn't work, remind him that the doctor will likely check for high cholesterol and high blood pressure-and that managing both conditions can help keep his manhood in working order.

Take our prostate cancer quiz to learn steps you (or your guy) can take to prevent the disease

Marianne Wait is the VP, Executive Editor at Sharecare.


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