Southwest Health located at 1400 Eastside Rd, Platteville, WI 53818 medical clinic providing urgent care and other medical services
Southwest Health located at 1400 Eastside Rd, Platteville, WI 53818 medical clinic providing urgent care and other medical services
Recognizing Men’s Health Month

For generations, men have been told to “tough it out,” push through pain, and stay silent. But silence does not make you stronger, it can cost you your health. During Men’s Health Month, we recognize the importance of early detection and timely care. At Southwest Health, we’re here to help. Delaying a doctor’s visit will not make a problem disappear; it may only make it worse. This month, we’re challenging that mindset, because your health matters to the people who depend on you.

Stigma around men’s health can make routine checkups and preventive care easier to ignore. Busy schedules, fear of worrying loved ones, and reluctance to disrupt daily life often push health to the back burner. It should not have to be that way.

Many men feel the pressure to provide, protect others, and remain self-reliant. These expectations can increase stress and contribute to mental health challenges that are often difficult to talk about. The generational stigma has led men to believe for far too many years that their own mental and physical health does not matter.

The stigma put on men to “stay strong” can make it much harder for men to speak openly about their emotions, stress, grief, and anxiety. Men can experience mental health conditions such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions. Factors such as fatherhood, social status, and culture can all affect how men experience these conditions. And although many mental health conditions are more commonly found in women, 1 in 10 men experience either depression or anxiety, and men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women. It is important to know that early intervention and treatment can save lives and improve daily living. You do not have to struggle alone.

Most men are hesitant to seek care, and several chronic conditions that affect men can develop quietly. Heart disease, cancer, and mental health concerns may go unnoticed while worsening over time. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death among men in the United States. Many cases could be prevented or better managed through lifestyle changes and regular medical care. About 1 in 8 men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime, and 124,990 men die from lung and bronchus cancer each year.

That’s why early detection is so important. Early detection means identifying serious health conditions before they reach an advanced stage. It can improve treatment outcomes and may allow for less invasive care. Men should begin regular checkups in their 20s, even if they feel healthy, with additional screenings based on personal risk factors. Below are some routine screenings and exams to consider.

Recommended at all ages:

  • Physical Exam
  • Blood pressure check
  • Cholesterol screening
  • Vaccinations
  • Mental Health Screening
  • Testicular self-examination

Recommended for ages 40 and older:

  • Colorectal Cancer Screening (Colonoscopy)
  • Lung Cancer screening (For current or former smokers)
  • Prostate Cancer Screening (PSA blood test)
  • Skin Cancer Checks

Taking these steps and getting the right screenings can help detect many conditions early. Heart disease can be identified through blood pressure checks, cholesterol testing, and cardiac screening, helping prevent serious complications. Cancers such as prostate, colon, lung, skin, and testicular cancer are often more treatable when found early.

Southwest Health is here to support men with comprehensive services that encourage early detection and long-term wellness. We offer a diverse selection of primary care providers in four different locations, with all locations accepting new patients. Our services also include specialty teams in cardiology, colorectal surgery, urology, oncology, and psychiatry that provide quality care close to home.

Men should not have to struggle alone. Physically or mentally. At Southwest Health, we want to encourage you to show up for you and for those that matter to you. Improving advocation for men’s health will not happen overnight, but you can advocate for yourself with a few simple steps. Listening to your body, talking with a doctor, scheduling a routine checkup, and understanding that it’s okay to ask for help. If we want to rewrite the narrative, we must change our habits first.