Health experts agree on a simple truth: the best time to catch a serious illness is before it causes any symptoms at all.

That message is at the heart of a conversation with Dr. Steven Toney, Chief Medical Officer, with Community Health and Wellness Partners (CHWP) about why preventive care, cancer screening, and mental well-being deserve a permanent place on every man's to-do list, not just during designated awareness months.

Why "Feeling Fine" Isn't the Same as "Being Fine"

"Preventive healthcare involves screening for a disease or condition that could be present before any symptoms appear," Dr. Toney explained.

Once symptoms show up, the disease has often already caused damage, and treatment becomes more difficult. Catching problems early, he said, makes treatment easier and long-term success far more likely.

Cancer Screening: What Men Need to Know

Colorectal, prostate, and testicular cancers are frequently on men's minds, but Dr. Toney was quick to point out that the screening guidance differs for each.

Colorectal cancer carries the clearest, strongest recommendation. It remains the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

While death rates among older adults have been falling, rates among adults under 55 have risen roughly 1 percent each year over the past decade; the reason national guidelines now recommend starting screening at age 45.

The gold-standard test is a colonoscopy, typically repeated every five to ten years, though at-home Cologuard kits are now available for average-risk individuals, those without a personal history of colon cancer or precancerous polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, or a genetic cancer syndrome.

Anyone outside that low-risk group still needs a colonoscopy.

Prostate cancer screening is more nuanced. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not universally recommend it; instead, men ages 55 to 69 are encouraged to have an individualized conversation with their provider about whether a PSA blood test makes sense for them.

Testicular cancer, by contrast, is not currently recommended for routine screening at all.

Warning Signs Worth a Phone Call

Dr. Toney urged men not to ignore certain red flags:

• Colorectal cancer: unexplained weight loss, blood in the stool, or anemia (which can show up as fatigue and shortness of breath)

• Prostate issues: frequent urination, a weak stream, a sense of incomplete bladder emptying, waking often at night to urinate, or recurring bladder infections (note: a non-cancerous enlarged prostate can cause these same symptoms)

• Testicular cancer: a new lump, or one testicle noticeably larger than the other

Mental Health Is Physical Health

Stress, anxiety, and depression don't always look the way people expect, especially in men. Common signs include poor sleep, fatigue, nervousness, appetite changes, low mood, and emotional ups and downs.

"For men, I often see specifics such as 'exploding' or over-reacting to situations, angry outbursts, or distancing from people and relationships," Dr. Toney said.

He pointed to generations of cultural messaging, "never let them see you cry," "that's a sign of weakness," or "don't talk about it, just do something," as a major reason men avoid seeking help. That same conditioning makes it hard for loved ones to step in, too, since a man struggling with his mental health may react defensively to even gentle suggestions of support.

"Most people want to maintain the relationship," Dr. Toney noted, "and are afraid that by saying something, it could damage things."

Physical and mental health are deeply intertwined, particularly for men managing a chronic disease.

Ongoing physical illness can raise the risk of depression and anxiety, while unmanaged stress and mood struggles can make it harder to stick with treatment plans, stay active and maintain the healthy habits that support recovery, reinforcing why whole-person care treats the two as inseparable rather than addressing them one at a time.

Small Habits, Big Payoff

According to Dr. Toney, a handful of everyday habits go a long way toward reducing cancer risk and supporting overall well-being:

• Eating a well-balanced diet

• Getting regular exercise

• Getting at least six hours of restorative sleep each night

• Moderating alcohol use

The Bottom Line

Dr. Toney closed with a nod to Benjamin Franklin: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Investing time and energy in prevention and early detection, he said, saves time and energy down the road and gives men more of both to spend on the people who matter most.

For information on scheduling a wellness visit or cancer screening, contact Community Health and Wellness Partners by visiting CHWPcares.org or calling 937-599-1411.