Capitol Commentary from U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack

Congressman Dave Loebsack -- CROPPEDFrom Press Release

 

As National Men’s Health Month comes to a close, it is a great reminder to men and their families to develop healthy habits, take preventative measures, and seek medical advice and care if needed.  I am a proud cosponsor of a bipartisan resolution supporting National Men’s Health Week to heighten awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

Screenings can find diseases early, when they’re easiest to treat.  The two primary causes of death in men, heart disease and cancer, can be detected through simple, painless tests in a doctor’s office. Testicular cancer, for example, is the most common type of cancer in males ages 15 to 35, but is 99 percent treatable if detected in Stage 1.  Unfortunately, men are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year, and are 22 percent more likely to have neglected their cholesterol tests.

I encourage you to schedule your annual checkup with a doctor if you haven’t already done so.  This month is about raising awareness and encouraging men to be proactive about their health, so please feel free to forward this email to family and friends to spread the word.  As a member of the Men’s Health Caucus, I look forward to staying in touch about this important issue.