3 Sites Help Men See the Future
One out of three men has no regular doctor. Three times as many men as women have seen no doctor in the last year. And when they are concerned about their health (sick or in pain), 82% of men wait from a few days to “as long as possible” before seeking help. These statistics, from a Commonwealth Fund-commissioned study released earlier this year, reveal a frightening disconnection between men and the health care system.
“Society’s demand that men be strong and stoic can be harmful to their health if it causes them to ignore what their bodies are telling them and avoid seeking needed medical care,” says David Sandman, lead author of the study for the social and health care research foundation.
This disconnection is surprisingly apparent even on the Internet, where most of the original surfers and entrepreneurs were men. Even though the medium offers an excellent opportunity to learn about illnesses and conditions, there are few sites solely devoted to men’s health.
Here, however, are three that focus on preventive care (much needed, according to the Commonwealth Fund) and support for those already coping with an illness:
* American Medical Assn. (https://www.ama-assn.org): Men hear it on the radio or from their friends: “Get checked out for this! Get screened for that!” Now the American Medical Assn. offers various guides to preventive care all in one place.
For the men’s health care calendar, go to “healthy families” in the consumer information section. This handy chart lists the recommended screenings and immunizations for men 18 and older, and even suggests topics and conditions to discuss with a doctor. One recommendation is to be screened for excessive alcohol use and high blood pressure periodically between the ages of 18 and 75. Other suggested screenings, after age 50, include a sigmoidoscopy (examination of the rectum and lowest part of the large intestine) every five to 10 years and a fecal occult (hidden) blood test every year.
The site also has a new section on male pattern baldness, plus details on eight other male conditions, including heart disease--the leading cause of death among men--and enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia).
* Colon Cancer Alliance (https://www.ccalliance.org): So, guys, not yet convinced to take care of yourselves? Consider this: If you choose not to get screened for colon cancer and the disease spreads before you find it, you have only an 8.5% chance of surviving five years. But if it’s caught early, there’s a 90% chance of survival. I found this statistic and more about detecting and coping with colorectal cancer--in Spanish and English--at the Colon Cancer Alliance, a site begun in 1996 as an Internet discussion list.
The alliance arms consumers with patient support, education, research, advocacy and links to other sites by topic--all to battle this, the third-leading cause of cancer death among men. Just be sure to navigate the site from the site map because all of the options aren’t clearly listed on the home page.
The site is strong on a variety of fronts: insurance information, advocacy, facts, detection, clinical trials, genetics and the most popular feature: survivor stories. For men facing the disease, a volunteer program coordinator will link you with a cyber buddy in a similar situation.
* HealthWorld Online (https://www.healthy.net): Preventing colon cancer, heart disease and other illnesses before they strike is what drives HealthWorld Online. The site has extensive natural and alternative health information, news and products, but conventional health information as well. For instance, in the “healthy man” section, an article on lowering blood pressure says to “take your medicine as directed” but also cautions, “Don’t eat black licorice” (although the warning doesn’t explain why).
The featured stories in the men’s section include topics such as alternative approaches to prostate cancer and “male andropause.” The latter article tackles the debate over the existence of the male version of menopause and suggests testosterone as a possible treatment. (Tip: Keep hitting reload to scroll through the featured stories.) Although the site’s herbal and nutritional recommendations are detailed and easy to follow, I was disappointed to find only a few articles under men’s health news. (Because this section relies on stories in the news, there must be a dearth of male-specific information here too.)
As is the case with all Web sites, you can’t rely on virtual checkups and nutrition tips to stay healthy. Peruse to your heart’s content, gentlemen. But screenings and checkups are often the key to staying healthy, and that means a trip to the doctor.
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Marla Bolotsky is managing editor and director of online information for the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. She can be reached at marla.bolotsky@latimes.com. Your Health Online runs the first and third Mondays of every month. Cathy K. Purcell contributed to this article.
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The Commonwealth Fund report “Out of Touch: American Men and the Health Care System” can be found at https://www.cmwf.org/programs/women/sandman_men’ssurvey2000_374.asp.
