According to the National Institute of Health, men are living longer with more improved medicines and health awareness than they did 20 years ago. Women still outlive men because they pay more attention to their bodies and seek medical advice more frequently than men. Men typically have several issues working against them. They bear more stress from their jobs and tend to drink and smoke more than women. Men also face different health risks than women, such as prostate cancer and low testosterone. Colon cancer and heart disease are also major health risks that men face.

Men 18 to 39 years old should have their blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly, and screen for diabetes as well. Men over 40 should begin having annual PSA prostate exams, cardiograms and check for osteoporosis onset.

PSA test results do not diagnose prostate cancer but PSA levels are indicators of an enlarged prostate.
Here are common PSA ranges for men of all ages:

• Men below age 50: PSA less than 2.5
• Men 50 – 59 years: PSA level less than 3.5
• Men 60 – 69 years: PSA level less than 4.5
• Men older than 70 years: PSA level less than 6.5

Men can decrease the life-expectancy gap between women if they can be more proactive by eating healthier and having annual doctor exams. Screening tests are crucial to detecting diseases early, making them easier to treat. Many men have high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol levels and don’t even know it. The only way to find out is to have these regular checkups to catch these symptoms before they become advanced. It’s better to be proactive than to die young.