Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Men's health: Preventing your top 10 threats

The biggest threats to men's health are mostly preventable. Here's what you need to know to live a longer, healthier life.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Do you know the greatest threats to men's health? The list is surprisingly short — and prevention pays off. Consider this top 10 list of men's health threats, compiled from statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other leading organizations. Then take steps to promote men's health and reduce your risks.

No. 1 — Heart disease

Heart disease is a leading men's health threat. Take charge of heart health by making healthier lifestyle choices. For example: 

  • Don't smoke or use other tobacco products. Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
  • Eat a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fiber and fish. Cut back on foods high in saturated fat and sodium.
  • If you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, follow your doctor's treatment recommendations.
  • Include physical activity in your daily routine.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • If you choose to drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. Too much alcohol can raise blood pressure.
  • If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar under control.
  • Manage stress.

No. 2 — Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among men — mostly due to cigarette smoking, according to the American Cancer Society. Lung cancer is followed by prostate cancer and colorectal cancer. To prevent cancer:

  • Don't smoke or use other tobacco products. Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
  • Include physical activity in your daily routine.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and avoid high-fat foods.
  • Limit your sun exposure. When you're outdoors, use sunscreen.
  • If you choose to drink alcohol, do so only in moderation.
  • Consult your doctor for regular cancer screenings.
  • Reduce exposure to potential cancer-causing substances (carcinogens), such as radon, asbestos, radiation and air pollution.

No. 3 — Injuries

The leading cause of fatal accidents among men is motor vehicle crashes, according to the CDC. To reduce your risk of a deadly crash:

  • Wear your seat belt.
  • Follow the speed limit.
  • Don't drive under the influence of alcohol or any other substances.
  • Don't drive while sleepy.

Falls and poisoning are other leading causes of fatal accidents. Take common-sense precautions, such as using chemical products only in ventilated areas, using nonslip mats in the bathtub and placing carbon monoxide detectors near the bedrooms in your home.

No. 4 — Stroke

You can't control some stroke risk factors, such as family history, age and race. But you can control other contributing factors. For example:

  • Don't smoke.
  • If you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, follow your doctor's treatment recommendations.
  • Limit the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet. Try to avoid trans fat entirely.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Include physical activity in your daily routine.
  • If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar under control.
  • If you choose to drink alcohol, do so only in moderation.

No. 5 — COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of chronic lung conditions, including bronchitis and emphysema. To prevent COPD:

  • Don't smoke. Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
  • Minimize exposure to chemicals and air pollution.
Next page
(1 of 2)
References
  1. Heron M. National vital statistics report, deaths: Leading causes in 2004. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr56/nvsr56_05.pdf. Accessed Nov. 26, 2008.
  2. Heart disease risk factors. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/risk_factors.htm. Accessed Dec. 3, 2008.
  3. ABCs of preventing heart disease, stroke and heart attack. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3035374. Accessed Dec. 1, 2008.
  4. Prevention and early detection: Cigarette smoking. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_2X_Cigarette_Smoking.asp?sitearea=PED. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  5. Cancer facts and figures 2008. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/2008CAFFfinalsecured.pdf. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  6. Common questions about diet and cancer. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_3_2X_Common_Questions_About_Diet_and_Cancer.asp?sitearea=PED. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  7. Prevention and early detection: How do I protect myself from UV? American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/ped_7_1x_Protect_Your_Skin_From_UV.asp?sitearea=PED. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  8. Poisoning [dlh1] in the United States: Fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/poisoning.htm. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  9. Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. American Association of Poison Control Centers. http://www.aapcc.org/dnn/PoisoningPrevention/PreventCOPoisoning/tabid/122/Default.aspx. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  10. Poison prevention tips - adults. American Association of Poison Control Centers. http://www.aapcc.org/dnn/PoisoningPrevention/AdultTips/tabid/119/Default.aspx. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  11. Drunk driving. National Safety Council. http://www2.nsc.org/library/facts/drnkdriv.htm. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  12. Drowsy driving. National Safety Council. http://www2.nsc.org/library/facts/drowsy_driving.htm. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  13. What you can do to prevent falls. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/toolkit/Falls_ToolKit/DesktopPDF/English/brochure_Eng_desktop.pdf. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  14. WISQARS: Details leading causes of death. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/NCIPC/WISQARS/. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  15. Stroke risk factors. American Heart Association. http://www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4716. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  16. Type 2 diabetes. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes.jsp. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  17. How to prevent pre-diabetes. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/food-nutrition-lifestyle/lifestyle-prevention/pre-diabetes/how-to-prevent-pre-diabetes.jsp. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  18. Key facts about seasonal flu vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  19. Suicide. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/men-and-depression/suicide.shtml. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  20. Men and depression. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/men-and-depression/men-and-depression.shtml. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  21. Kidney disease: Causes. National Kidney Foundation. http://www.kidney.org/atoz/atozItem.cfm?id=83. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  22. Resources: Make the kidney connection. National Kidney Disease Education Program. http://nkdep.nih.gov/resources/make_the_kidney_connection.htm. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  23. Risk factors. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_causes_risk_factors.asp. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  24. COPD facts. American Association for Respiratory Care. http://www.aarc.org/klein/what_is_copd.asp. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  25. Causes of COPD. American Association for Respiratory Care. http://www.aarc.org/klein/causes.asp. Accessed Dec. 2, 2008.
  26. Car safety. American College of Emergency Physicians. http://www.acep.org/patients.aspx?id=26110. Accessed Dec. 3, 2008.

MC00013

Feb. 7, 2009

© 1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger