Jim Woster Talks About Men’s Health and Prevention
Some years ago, Deb Soholt and I did a weekly Saturday noon program on South Dakota Public Radio, which was sponsored by Avera. Deb is a seasoned registered nurse and at that time, a women’s health leader for Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center. The hour program was designed to educate the listener on health in general and on occasion specific health problems in our region.
Most of our guests were physicians and other health care professionals and at that time, one of the often-discussed topics was men’s health and how inept we males are at taking care of ourselves. Because I was the lay person in the room, I did my best to ask questions, which a regular listener might, given the chance.
Men’s reluctance to access a primary care physician, to take advantage of the available preventive medicine procedures such as PSA or colonoscopy or even “go to the doctor” after injury or extended illness, were the focus of more than a few of our weekly conversations.
I might add that our program began shortly after the very difficult years for farm and ranch families in the ‘80s – a time when more than a few of those folks were doing their best, on their own, to deal with behavioral health issues. Often times to no avail. Several of our conversations centered around issues such as depression and how best for those who live on the land to cope with the mostly unspoken affliction, mental health.
Get Jim Woster's perspective on mental health care.
Preventive Health for Men
Much has changed over the past 25 years but most health care professionals will tell us that we still have some work to do, especially when it comes to men and the very important health care concept we call prevention.
I can’t stress enough, the value for anyone, but especially we of the male species, to develop a first-name basis relationship with a primary care provider and there are many in our region.
This is a person who knows you and very importantly, whose nurse knows you, that you can call with a health question and the answer will be based upon a solid personal and health history of who you are.
That physician will also keep you on schedule for vaccinations, blood pressure checks, the annual “blood work” which tells the professionals so much, and, of course, the very important health screenings such as the test for colon cancer. They will also provide direction if you’re seeking help for a mental health concern.
None of the above are particularly costly nor time consuming. In fact, most preventive health for men is covered by your health insurance and Medicare.
Listen to Good Advice
Never forget that more than a few potentially deadly cancers are highly treatable, thanks to early detection. A few hours away from the office or the labors of the farm are nothing when compared to all that occurs should cancer be detected in the latter stages.
For many years, my feeble response to my spouse’s strongly worded suggestion that, “You have not seen Doctor Volin for a checkup for quite a spell” was a form of “get off my back.”
When I was flat on my back following a successful surgery to remove a cancerous prostate, I’m glad the woman of the house kept on my back.
Early detection involving a primary care physician of your choice is the basis for a viable health care environment.
So it may be time to pay closer attention to that person, who quietly runs the show. Whomever she may be!
This is a guest column written by Jim Woster, friend of Avera.
