June: Men’s Health Month AF promotes awareness of diseases in men

  • Published
  • By SrA. DEVANTE WILLIAMS
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, ARIZONA --  June is Men's Health Month and the Air Force supports efforts to build awareness of preventable health problems and encourages early detection and treatment of diseases among men, such as prostate cancer. During the month, the medical community and others work to raise awareness of ways to promote healthy living, and encourage early detection and treatment of diseases among men and boys.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the leading causes of death among men ages 18 and over in the United States are heart disease and cancer. This means nearly half the male population in the United States is dying from diseases that are largely preventable. Fortunately, the personnel at the 56th Medical Group are making sure men are getting the right treatment.

"We are adding bulletin boards filled with men's health information all over the clinic," said Maj. Sarah Cossette, 56th Medical Group. "We are also putting information sheets with men's health facts in waiting rooms. Even though it is Men's Health Month, we want Airmen to know we focus on men's health every day."

The Air Force main goal for Men's Health Month is to promote taking action and making changes that last. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, in 1920 life expectancy for women was one year longer than men. However, by 2010 men were dying approximately 5 years sooner than women. There are multiple screenings that men need to get regularly. One of the screenings is Colorectal Cancer screenings. Men age 50 or older are the most susceptible to colorectal cancer.

"Men in the target age range should be getting a colonoscopy every ten years," said Patricia Brubaker, 56th MDG utilization management manager. "Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in men. Without regular checkups, it will be too late for doctors to catch it at an early stage."
Health overall is a huge topic for everyone, including military members. With constant deployments and work overload, it's hard to keep track of checkups and overall health status. The MDG is planning to attack that problem with a Health State Fair this October. It will be filled with health information from women's health to nutrition wellness.

"This will be our biggest health fair so far," Cossette said. "We want everyone to come out and get as much information as they can from the fair. We are covering every aspect of health including men's health. The 56 MDG is always here for our Airmen and male population, and we want to make sure they are getting the best care possible."