Men’s Health GP Tuggeranong – Greenway Medical Centre

Bulk Billing Doctors Kambah, Wanniassa, Isabella Plains, Gordon, Conder

Greenway Medical Centre doctors provide a range of men’s health services for every stage of life, be that young adulthood, middle or mature age.

Men are encouraged to seek regular medical check-ups at a frequency that matches their age, family and personal medical history and risk factors. This can help avoid health problems in the future, especial those that typically affect men.

Prostate health checkup

There are many different types of prostate cancer, with most growing slowly and never causing harm, yet others can cause serious harm and even death. For the most part, prostate cancer affects men aged over 50, but for those with a family history, attention to this disease may need to be given earlier.

Currently, the cause of prostate cancer is unknown and there is no simple test for detecting the disease. The decision to have prostate cancer screening is a personal one and can be requested from your doctor. As there are certain risks involved it is best to discuss with your GP, who can provide more information.

Heart health assessment

There are many ways in which to reduce the risk of heart disease. Your doctor can help determine your risk factor for this disease based on age, lifestyle and family medical history. Other risk factors such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels can be tested, and more general contributing health factors may be discussed, such as obesity.

More testing may be required for some such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) which is a non-invasive and painless medical test that can be used to detect heart abnormalities. Most importantly, if you notice an irregular heart-beat or are more aware of your heart-beat when not exercising, please consult your doctor.

Other Men’s Health tests

From the 20s onwards an annual health check-up can help keep wellbeing on track. These checkups could include general items such as weight and waist measurements, a blood pressure check, flu shots, as well as blood cholesterol and glucose screening. Further to this, a regime of skin cancer checks and testing for sexually transmitted diseases can be organised depending on personal risk factors.

Mental health can also be discussed in these consultations, be that anxiety, depression or other conditions. Testicular cancer can be checked for through self-examination monthly, for lumps and bumps. Anything of concern can then be discussed with a GP.

All of the aforementioned men’s health check items should continue throughout the following decades, yet within each decade there will be specific checks that can be discussed or organised with your doctor.

From age 40, it is a good time for a heart check to determine any future risk. Depending on an individual’s lifestyle a blood test that checks liver and kidney function could be wise for some and those with a family history of prostate cancer, the screening options can be discussed within a GP consultation.

The following are few more decade specific men’s health items;

From 50 years of age:

  • Bowel cancer screening – every two years
  • Prostate cancer screening
  • Hearing test

Over age 60:

  • Pneumonia vaccine
  • Shingles Vaccine
  • Bone density test
  • Eye check – especially for glaucoma and cataracts
  • Assessment for risk of falls (balance, feet, footwear)
  • Incontinence and Constipation

Health resources specific to Men’s Health

An extensive range of resources is available that are specific to the needs of men’s health.

General Measures For Good Health

In general terms, there are lifestyle areas that can not only provide improved wellbeing but reduce the risk factors across a range of chronic diseases. The following can help unsure our general health is improved and maintained:

  • nutritious and well balanced and diet
  • quality sleep with a consistent number of hours
  • reduction or avoidance of unnecessary stress
  • regular exercise with a mixture of cardio and strength training
  • staying socially connected to friends and family
  • lowering alcohol consumption and limiting to one or two drinks a day
  • avoiding obvious health risks such as tobacco and other drugs that are for non-medicinal purposes