Men die at higher rates for the top 10 causes of death. This includes deaths from cancer, diabetes, suicide, and accidents; and diseases of the heart, kidney, and liver.

Take control of your health by getting a yearly check-up from your doctor. Your best chance of avoiding diseases that afflict men are prevention, self examination, and regular physician visits. Regular screening can catch many diseases in an early stage, when treatment is most likely to be successful.

12 Important Men's Health Concerns

Prostate Cancer:

Almost 30,000 men die of prostate cancer each year. Men with a family history of prostate cancer and African-Americans are at high risk. These men should get screened each year beginning at age 40, age 50 for all other men. This consists of a blood test and a quick physical exam.

Prostate Disease:

BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and prostatitis are also concerns for men. Both cause the prostate to swell and can cause painful or difficult urination.

Erectile Dysfunction:

The revolution in thinking about male sexual dysfunction, following the introduction of Viagra, offers new hope for men suffering from erectile problems. Failure to achieve and maintain an erection can be caused by heart disease, diabetes, certain medications, lifestyle, or other problems.

Cardiovascular Disease:

Heart disease and stroke are often associated with high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Both can usually be controlled with diet and exercise or medication.

Testicular Cancer:

Testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer in men ages 20-35 but can occur any time after age 15.

Diabetes:

You may have diabetes and not know it. It is not unusual for diabetes to go undetected for years. Men with diabetes are more likely to suffer from heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and vision problems.

Skin Cancer:

Anyone who spends a lot of time in the sun is at risk for skin cancer. Other factors include family history, repeated x-ray exposure and exposure to some chemical compounds such as arsenic and coal.

Low Testosterone:

As men age, their testosterone decreases. This can cause Andropause, a condition similar to menopause in women, and may lead to erectile dysfunction, fragile bones, depression, fatigue and other problems.

Colorectal Cancer:

Cancer of the colon and rectum can usually be treated if caught early. These cancers may be caused by diets high in fat and low in fiber.

Depression:

Men are less likely than women to seek help for depression and are 4x as likely to commit suicide. If you feel "down and out", "hopeless", or "sad" for an extended period of time, you may be suffering from depression. Help can take the form of medication, counseling, or a combination of both.

Lung Cancer:

Lung cancer is the #1 cancer killer of men but can be almost totally prevented if men make lifestyle changes and take certain precautions. Risk factors include smoking, exposure to asbestos and radon.

Osteoporosis:

Osteoporosis, or loss of bone density, is usually thought of as a women's disease but is now also recognized as a man's problem. If left untreated, this can lead to broken bones and permanent disability or death.

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