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For Your Health

Men’s Health Matters

by Melissa Armas, DO

Men's Health Screenings are If you’re over 40 or at high risk, your PCP may also screen for:
Prostate cancer, Colorectal cancer, Lung cancer,
More Important Than Ever Osteoporosis, Dementia, Vascular or cardiac disease and
Abdominal aortic aneurysm.
eople joke that men don’t like to ask for directions or
read the instructions before putting household items Your PCP may also recommend you fill out an advance
directive form in case of an emergency.
P together. Well, it turns out there is something else they
are reluctant to do — and it’s no laughing matter.
COVID-19 Concerns
“Male patients are more hesitant to come in for doctor’s visits, Dr. Armas said men shouldn’t wait until the pandemic is over
even once a year,” said Melissa Armas, D.O., a family to schedule a checkup.
medicine specialist with the Broward Health Physician Group.
“Many of the men who do come in are here because their “We’re seeing fewer patients during the pandemic,” she said.
wife or mother pushed them to get seen, or they noticed “People are worried that they are more likely to get COVID-19
troubling symptoms.” at a doctor’s office than at a grocery store or pharmacy. But
we understand infectious diseases and know how to make the
To make matters worse, men may be even less likely to get office safer. We sanitize high-touch surfaces between patients.
checkups now because of worries about COVID-19. We ask people to stay socially distant and to wear a mask.

Staying Healthy Starts with If there are too many patients in the waiting room, we have
Yearly Checkups people wait in the car and call them when it’s their turn.”
Your primary care physician (PCP) will perform a variety of To find a physician at Broward Health Imperial Point call
health screenings when you get your yearly checkup. Your 954-759-7400 or visit BrowardHealth.org/Find-Doctor.
PCP will look for medical issues and consider your risk of Broward Health Imperial Point is located at 6401 N. Federal

developing health issues in the future. They may also talk with Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL. 33308. n
you about how your lifestyle may affect your health.
Delaying or skipping these annual exams, Dr. Armas said,
can be deadly.
“The point of health screenings is to detect cancer and other
diseases early when they are easier to treat,” she said.
“Many diseases can be asymptomatic for years. When men
wait until they notice symptoms, the diseases are often harder
to treat, and men may have worse outcomes.”

What to Expect
The health screenings your PCP performs during your annual
checkup are based on your health, family history and age. If
you’re younger than 40, your screenings may include:
Height, Weight, Body mass index, Blood pressure,
Diet/Exercise guidance, Cholesterol, Immunization status,
Kidney and liver function, Diabetes, Early signs of skin cancer,
Vision problems and eye conditions, Infectious diseases, Melissa Armas, DO
Depression and Alcohol/tobacco use. Family Medicine

12 The Landings & Bay Colony