Men don't equate doctors with preventive health until they're in their 40s. These things converge to make men think about health more in preventive terms and get them into their doctor for regular screening. The truth is, however, that regular check-ups can help save lives, even when there's no specific problem. We know, for example, that 50 million Americans are hypertensive, but only 35 percent are aware of it, according to a 1993 Archives of Internal Medicine article. Screening for colorectal cancer is now recommended for all adults over age 40.
Colon cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
Risk is increased threefold if you have a first-degree relative with cancer. Other risk factors include a history of ulcerative colitis, intestinal polyps or a family history of polyps. Many millions of Americans are unaware that they have mild diabetes, a treatable condition that can be diagnosed with simple screening. When left untreated, diabetes can cause impaired vision and blindness, loss of kidney function, nerve damage, heart attack and infections. Email This to a Friend.