X

Ogdensburg hospital awareness campaign urges men to seek regular medical advice

Posted 7/2/18

OGDENSBURG -- June was what Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center calls “National Men’s Health Month,” and hospital officials say they used this awareness opportunity “to encourage men to take …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Ogdensburg hospital awareness campaign urges men to seek regular medical advice

Posted

OGDENSBURG -- June was what Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center calls “National Men’s Health Month,” and hospital officials say they used this awareness opportunity “to encourage men to take charge of their health by seeking regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury,” the hospital said.

According to CHMC, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that 12.4 percent of all men over the age of 18 are in fair or poor health, and 31.6 percent have had five or more drinks in one day on at least one occasion in the past year, and 17.8 percent are smokers, and 34.5 percent are obese.

In talking with Dr. Uday Lele, hematologist and medical oncologist at Claxton-Hepburn’s Richard E. Winter Cancer Center about why men are more reluctant to seek health care than a woman, he stated, “Health behaviors and attitudes toward general health differ in men. Seeking help or engaging with health care is perceived by many men as incompatible with the masculine "norms" of strength, stoicism, and self-reliance and they fear that it will make them appear vulnerable, dependent, and weak.” He continued, “Men have higher cancer mortality rates for all sites combined compared to women. Cancer screening participation is important for early detection of cancer. The majority of the time typically modified risk factors are the culprit of chronic disease and conditions. Keeping a healthy lifestyle and regular age-appropriate cancer screenings are essential in preventing many cancers.”

The hospital’s website is www.claxtonhepburn.org.