Imperial Valley doctors urge men to take charge of their health during Men’s Health Month
Adrik Vargas
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – June is Men’s Health Month, and doctors with the Imperial Valley Healthcare District are using it to call attention to something they say often gets put off: Regular checkups.
At Pioneers Healthcare Center in Brawley, part of the district, they’re reminding men and their families that prevention and early detection matter.
“I do encourage the families to join forces and rally around the men in their families, to be serious about their health,” said Dr. George Fareed, Medical Director of the center.
The district says simple screenings like checking blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar can help catch things early, from heart disease to diabetes and prostate issues.
For younger men, awareness about testicular cancer is also key. Radiologist Dr. George Rapp, who works at Pioneers and is a cancer survivor himself, says men shouldn’t wait to speak up.
“I’m a survivor of testicular cancer, so it’s very important for men to be upfront with their physicians…routine self-examinations, actually feeling and making sure you’re not feeling any masses or lumps or anything abnormal, or if you’re having pain, it’s not something you should delay,” said Rapp.
He added, “It can sometimes carry a little bit of shyness with it that men don’t want to share with their physician, but I do encourage men to be upfront with their doctors about it.”
The district offers services across the Valley, including clinics in Brawley and Calexico.
“They can certainly come here to the Pioneers Healthcare Clinic here and in Calexico, and they can come to the other centers where general medical services are provided, there’s no shortage for the availability of that,” Dr. Fareed said.
The Imperial Valley Healthcare District says Men’s Health Month is a great reminder to start small, schedule a checkup, and take steps that can protect your health in the long run.