News

Prairie du Chien, WI - Crossing Rivers Health is celebrating Men’s Health Month this June to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. Men of all ages are encouraged to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury.

Below is a list of recommended screenings based on age.

Ages 20 - 39

• Schedule an annual exam: Review your overall health status - perform a thorough physical exam and discuss health-related topics. Should be scheduled every year unless your provider states otherwise.
• Blood pressure: High blood pressure (hypertension) has no symptoms, but can cause permanent damage to body organs. Screenings should be performed every year.
• TB skin test: Should be done on occasion of exposure or suggestive symptoms at the direction of your provider. Some occupations may require more frequent testing for public health indications.
• Blood tests and urinalysis: Screens for various illnesses and diseases (such as cholesterol, diabetes, kidney, or thyroid dysfunction) before symptoms occur.
• EKG: Electrocardiogram screens for heart abnormalities. A baseline test should be performed at age 30.
• Tetanus booster: Prevents lockjaw. Tetanus with pertussis booster should be given one time during adulthood. Should receive booster every 10 years.
• Self-exams: The following should be performed monthly by self: testicle - to find lumps in their earliest stages; skin - to look for signs of changing moles, freckles, or early skin cancer; oral - to look for signs of cancerous lesions in the mouth; and breast: to find abnormal lumps in their earliest stages.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): Sexually active adults who consider themselves at risk for STDs should be screened for syphilis, chlamydia, HIV, and other STDs. Screenings should take place at the discretion of the provider.

Ages 40 - 49

• Schedule an annual exam: Review your overall health status - perform a thorough physical exam and discuss health-related topics. Should be scheduled every 2 years unless your provider states otherwise.
• Blood pressure: High blood pressure can cause permanent damage to body organs. Screenings should be performed every year.
• TB skin test: Should be done on occasion of exposure or suggestive symptoms at the direction of your provider. Some occupations may require more frequent testing for public health indications.
• Blood tests and urinalysis: Screens for various illnesses and diseases (such as cholesterol, diabetes, kidney, or thyroid dysfunction) before symptoms occur.
• EKG: Electrocardiogram screens for heart abnormalities.
• Tetanus booster: Prevents lockjaw. Tetanus with pertussis booster should be given one time during adulthood. Should receive booster every 10 years.
• Rectal exam: Screens for hemorrhoids, lower rectal problems, colon, and prostate cancer. Screenings should be performed every year.
• PSA blood test: Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is produced by the prostate. Levels rise when there is an abnormality such as an infection, enlargement, or cancer. Testing should be done in collaboration with your provider. Some medical associations recommend that men speak to their health care providers about a baseline PSA blood test at age 40. Men at high risk, including African Americans, should consider an annual prostate exam beginning at age 40.
• Hemoccult: Screens the stool for microscopic amounts of blood that can be the first indication of polyps or colon cancer. Should be screened every year.
• Chest X-Ray: Should be considered in smokers over the age of 45. The usefulness of this test on a yearly basis is debatable due to poor cure rates of lung cancer. Discuss the frequency of screening with your provider. •
• Self-exams: The following should be performed monthly by self: testicle - to find lumps in their earliest stages; skin - to look for signs of changing moles, freckles, or early skin cancer; oral - to look for signs of cancerous lesions in the mouth; breast - to find abnormal lumps in their earliest stages; and testosterone screening - low testosterone symptoms include low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, and depression. Initial screening for symptoms with a questionnaire followed by a simple blood test. Discuss the frequency of screenings with your provider.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): Sexually active adults who consider themselves at risk for STDs should be screened for syphilis, chlamydia, HIV, and other STDs. Screenings should take place at the discretion of the provider.

Ages 50+

• Schedule an annual exam: Review your overall health status - perform a thorough physical exam and discuss health-related topics. Should be scheduled every year unless your provider states otherwise.
• Blood pressure: High blood pressure (hypertension) has no symptoms, but can cause permanent damage to body organs. Screenings should be performed every year.
• TB skin test: Should be done on occasion of exposure or suggestive symptoms at the direction of your provider. Some occupations may require more frequent testing for public health indications.
• Blood tests and urinalysis: Screens for various illnesses and diseases (such as cholesterol, diabetes, kidney, or thyroid dysfunction) before symptoms occur. Screening should be done every year.
• EKG: Electrocardiogram screens for heart abnormalities.
• Tetanus booster: Prevents lockjaw. Tetanus with pertussis booster should be given one time during adulthood. Should receive booster every 10 years.
• Rectal exam: Screens for hemorrhoids, lower rectal problems, colon, and prostate cancer. Screenings should be performed every year.
• PSA blood test: Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is produced by the prostate. Levels rise when there is an abnormality such as an infection, enlargement, or cancer. Testing should be done in collaboration with your provider. Screening should take place every year.
• Hemoccult: Screens the stool for microscopic amounts of blood that can be the first indication of polyps or colon cancer. Should be screened every year.
• Colorectal health: A colonoscopy is recommended for detecting cancer at its earliest and treatable stages. It also detects polyps, which are benign growths that can progress to cancer if not found early. Screenings should take place every 10 years or by provider recommendation.
• Chest X-Ray: Should be considered in smokers over the age of 45. The usefulness of this test on a yearly basis is debatable due to poor cure rates of lung cancer. Discuss the frequency of screening with your provider.
• Bone health: Bone mineral density test. Testing is best done under the supervision of your provider. Beginning at age 60, discuss the frequency of screening with your provider.
• Self-exams: The following should be performed monthly by self: testicle - to find lumps in their earliest stages; skin - to look for signs of changing moles, freckles, or early skin cancer; oral - to look for signs of cancerous lesions in the mouth; breast - to find abnormal lumps in their earliest stages; and testosterone screening - low testosterone symptoms include low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, and depression. Initial screening for symptoms with a questionnaire followed by a simple blood test. Discuss the frequency of screenings with your provider.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): Sexually active adults who consider themselves at risk for STDs should be screened for syphilis, chlamydia, HIV, and other STDs.

Screenings should take place at the discretion of the provider. All of these screenings are recommendations. Please discuss screenings with your provider to determine the appropriate care plan for you. Screenings can be scheduled at the Crossing Rivers Health Clinic in Prairie du Chien or Fennimore by calling 608.357.2500.

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