Their Health on the Back Burner
July 3, 2007 08:40:42 PM PST

Yahoo! Health: Anxiety News

TUESDAY, July 3 (HealthDay News) -- Men report skipping health screenings and avoiding doctor's visits in a new survey by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

The survey examined the health behaviors of 2,282 adults across the nation, including 1,111 men.

The surveyors found that more than half of the men had not seen their primary-care physician for a physical exam in the last year, and more than a quarter reported waiting "as long as possible" before seeking medical help for sickness, pain or health concerns.

Furthermore, 18 percent of the men said their have never received the recommended screening for colon cancer.

Despite this, most of the men -- 79 percent -- described their health as "excellent," "very good" or "good."

While the men may think they are in good health, the results of the survey paint a different picture.

Forty-two percent of the men surveyed have been diagnosed with at least one of the following chronic conditions: high blood pressure (28 percent), heart disease (8 percent), arthritis (13 percent), cancer (8 percent) or diabetes (10 percent).

And the men reported watching an average of 19 hours of television per week, including more than four hours of sports. All this television, and only 38 percent of the men exercise on a regular basis.

"One of the biggest obstacles to improving the health of men is men themselves," said Rick Kellerman, M.D., president of the AAFP. "They don't make their health a priority."

There is some good news.

"Fortunately, 78 percent of the men with a spouse or significant other surveyed said their spouse or significant other has some influence over their decision to go to the doctor," said Kellerman.

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about men's health.

Unfortunately I have experienced in first hand on myself, how true is this report...
But on recovery now, getting better and better... :re:

Good for you, BB, on your path to health. WE CAN take back what was stolen from us. :glory:

Thank you Editor!
And I do agree with you, WE CAN AND WE WILL TAKE BACK FROM THE ENEMY OUR STOLEN GOODS!!!!!!!!!!! :re:
There is a Hungarian Proverbs, " Man is not who hit you, man is who stand the hit a keep standing ( =refer of boxing....) :bam: :vic:

Ah, perfect proverb. Did you know that boxing is and always has been since childhood, my favotite sport? Well to watch and not participate that is. :lol:

Oh really? Actually I am doing every morning with the biggest losers team, and Bob, pretty hard, I have to say.... :bam:

:wow: BB! I am sincererly impressed. Just as much mental science involved as physical. I am so very proud of you this late in life investigating this sport. Keep me updated and talk! PS. The born again Joe Frazier is my all time favorite Heavy Weight former champ. Who do you like?

Well, I never hit men, just doing the boxing, more I would say kick boxing, as an exercise, but I do like boxing :bam:
My favorite is Holyfield, George Foreman ( whos gril I am using for grilled kangaroo, os lamb :lol: )

I am glad you are not slugging it out with someone. :laugh: Yes, I favor all the heavy weight boxers. It is amazing what the body is capable of. I also admire Sugar Ray Robinson who wasn't a heavy weight.