Why Trust Is at the Core of Men’s Preventative Health 

Each June, Men’s Health Month shines a light on preventative care and for good reason. Many of the health issues that affect men most, like high blood pressure, diabetes, and prostate conditions, don’t show symptoms until they’re advanced. That’s what makes preventative screening so powerful: it allows us to detect disease early, when treatment is most effective.

But here is the truth. Screenings don’t happen unless men go to the doctor. And far too many men don’t.

To understand the importance of preventative screenings, we first have to understand how they happen. Primary care doctors are trained to identify your health risks based on age, lifestyle, and family history. Screenings are built into the visit, and your doctor will guide you through the process. But that only works if there’s a visit in the first place. So why don’t men go? Yes, cost, time, and access to care are all factors. But the deeper issue is trust. Many men simply don’t have a doctor they feel comfortable with. And when trust isn’t there, appointments don’t get made. Screenings don’t happen. Conditions go unnoticed until it’s too late.

A common pattern is that women will investigate the problem, but men will live with the problem. Unfortunately, this mindset often leads men to delay care, costing them valuable years of health and quality of life. Ankhnu Uaskhem, MD, a primary care physician, says, “Among the patients I typically see, women significantly outnumber men.

Sometimes only 3 out of 20 patients are male, and even then, it’s often their wife, girlfriend, or partner who made the appointment, accompanied them to the visit, and asked the questions.” Dr. Uaskhem adds, “I’ve seen many men who haven’t seen a doctor in years until their partner stepped in and insisted.”

“Overcoming the trust barriers is the easiest way to find a doctor “says Dr. Uaskhem. And once that trust is built, everything else follows routine visits, honest conversations, and timely screenings. Too often, men ignore early warning signs or silent conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. Conditions that don’t usually show symptoms until they’ve done damage.

That’s where preventative care plays a vital role. Your primary care doctor should guide you through the screenings you need based on your age and risk factors

• In your 20s and 30s, screenings should focus on HIV, weight, blood pressure, and diabetes.
• In your 40s and 50s, prostate screenings become increasingly important, especially if there is a family history.
• At every age, it’s essential to discuss lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol use, drug use, and diet with your provider, as these habits significantly impact your health risks.

This Men’s Health Month, remember there are doctors dedicated to caring for everyone, including men, who want to build that trust and partnership. Find a primary care doctor you can rely on and let them care for you before problems arise. Early detection saves lives, but it only happens when you show up. 

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