Men’s health often takes a backseat to other priorities, but performing regular self-exams at home can be lifesaving. These simple checks can detect potential issues early, offering a vital advantage in maintaining good health. While self-exams are not a substitute for professional medical care, they are a proactive step toward staying well. Here are three often overlooked self-exams that could make a significant difference:
1. Testicular Cancer Self-Exam
Testicular cancer is most prevalent among younger men, with the age group of 20 to 35 being particularly at risk. Individuals with a family history of the disease or those with undescended testicles are at an elevated risk. Conducting regular self-exams familiarizes men with the standard look and feel of their testicles, enabling them to detect any abnormalities promptly. Early signs may include the presence of a lump or painless swelling.
Performing a testicular self-exam is straightforward:
- During a bath or shower, when the scrotum is relaxed, gently hold one testicle between the fingers and thumbs.
- Roll the testicle between the fingers, checking for any irregularities such as bumps, hard lumps, or changes in size or shape.
- Repeat the process with the other testicle.
2. Belly Fat Self-Exam
Monitoring abdominal fat is crucial for men’s health, as excess weight around the waistline is linked to and may increase the risk of prostate cancer and other life-threatening conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
Measuring belly fat with a cloth measuring tape once a month can provide valuable insights into health risks:
- Stand and place the tape measure around the bare belly at the level of the belly button.
- Relax and exhale before measuring the waist circumference.
- Men whose waists measure 40 inches or higher are at elevated risk for various health issues.
- Adopting healthy habits, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and avoiding sugary beverages, can help reduce belly fat and mitigate associated risks.
3. Breast Self-Exam
Breast cancer can also affect men, albeit less frequently than women. making regular breast self-exams essential, particularly for those with a family history of the disease. Men between the ages of 60 to 70 are at higher risk, yet early detection remains critical to successful treatment.
A simple breast self-exam can be performed as follows:
- Conduct the exam during or immediately after a shower to ease detection.
- Use the opposite hand to examine each breast, starting from the outside near the shoulder and moving in circular motions toward the nipple.
- Pay attention to any lumps, tenderness, or changes in texture, and check for nipple discharge.
- Repeat the process on the other breast.
Skin Cancer self-exam
It’s important to remember that skin cancer is a serious concern for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or skin color. However, the good news is that early detection can lead to highly effective treatment. It’s crucial to stay informed about skin cancer risks and signs and take measures to prevent UV ray damage to the skin. However, men are more susceptible to developing skin cancer and finding it at later, less treatable stage than women due to spending more time outdoors and not wearing sunscreen.
How to perform a skin self-exam:
- Stand in front of a full-length mirror and examine your body, then raise your arms and check your sides.
- Check your forearms, underarms, fingernails, and palms by bending your elbows.
- Check the backs of your legs and feet, the spaces between your toes, your toenails, and the soles of your feet.
- Use a hand mirror to examine your scalp and the back of your neck. Part your hair in various places for a closer look.
- Use a hand mirror to check for any skin changes on your back and buttocks.
Men should promptly consult a healthcare professional if they notice any changes during any of the self-exams listed in this article. Men can potentially save their lives by regularly performing self-exams.
Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncolo gy and prostate cancer 911.
