June is Men’s Health Month and an opportunity for men to examine their health risk factors.

Heart disease and cancer are the two leading causes of death for men over age 45.  According to Angela Callander, a registered nurse and clinical health educator at St. Mary’s Hospital, “just being a male is a health risk, so it makes sense to practice self-defense.  Men die younger than women on average and they have higher mortality rates for all of the leading causes of death.”

Callander encourages men to get educated on what they can do to stay proactive about their health.  Unlike women, she said, men often do not take steps toward improving their diet, managing stress and seeking routine physical exams. 

“It is important to take charge of your health and recognize health problems and risks before you become sick,” Callander said.  “The average male takes better care of his car than his body.”

But men are in the driver’s seat when it comes to their health, she said.  Properly handling stress is key to a healthy lifestyle.  Callander said people cannot rid themselves of stress but need to learn how to handle it.  Some stress reducers she recommends practicing daily are getting plenty of sleep, slowing down to get more done, exercising, surrounding yourself with positive people, finding alone time, getting organized, learning how to meditate and laughing.

Check out St. Mary’s Hospital’s Mobile Outreach Center to receive free health information specifically for men, which include topics like: colorectal, lung and prostate cancers; stress; backaches; headaches; heart disease; and diabetes.  Also, pick up a free men’s health gift on the outreach van this month. During the month and throughout the year, the center will offer free Prostate-Specific Antigen Screenings for men over age 50.  The screenings are blood tests that assist in the detection of prostate cancer.

Find out when the Mobile Outreach Center will be in your area this month:

June 20 — Juneteenth celebration (Freedom Park in Lexington Park)
June 21 — College of Southern Maryland 375th Kick Off — Celebrate Family, Fun and Fitness! (Leonardtown campus)
June 25 — McKay’s in Great Mills
June 26 — Charlotte Hall Library
June 26 — Senior tours

Or you can check out the Get Connected to Health program, which is low-cost primary health care for the low income and uninsured of St. Mary’s County every Monday at the Lexington Park Library from 1 to 5 p.m. for $15.  Call (301) 475-6019 for more information.