June is Men’s Health Month

June is Men’s Health Month, a perfect time for you (and the men in your life) to take the steps to live a safer, healthier life.

Did you ever put off doing a task or getting a test and later wished you’d just gotten it over with? If you’re a man with Medicare, now’s the time to talk with your doctor about whether you should get screened for prostate cancer, for colorectal cancer, or for both.

Screening tests can find cancer early, when treatment works best.

Don’t let cost be the reason you put off screenings. Medicare covers a digital rectal exam once every 12 months. Medicare also covers a variety of colorectal cancer screenings – like the fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy – and you pay nothing for most tests depending on the type of plan you have.

FACT: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, second only to lung cancer in the number of cancer deaths.

Men who are over 50 are at a higher risk for getting prostate cancer and your risks increase if you have a father, brother, or son who has had prostate cancer.

Colorectal cancer is also common among men. It’s the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States among cancers that affect both men and women. It is estimated that if everyone age 50 to 75 got screened regularly, as many as 60% of deaths from colorectal cancer could be avoided.

Most of the time, colorectal cancer develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum.  Fortunately, screening tests can find these polyps, so you can get them removed before they turn into cancer.  If you’re 50 or older, or have a personal or family history of colorectal issues, make sure you get screened regularly for colorectal cancer.

Note:  While the screening is most often provided by your Medicare plan at no cost, if a polyp is removed then your procedure will be billed as outpatient surgery and depending on the type of insurance you have this may trigger a copay.

Watch this video on how Medicare has you covered on colorectal cancer screenings.

Click here if you’d like to learn more about the Men’s Health Month Campaign.

Would you like my help?

If you would like help reviewing your plan benefits and comparing those benefits with other plans that are available or if you just want to ask a few questions, you can call me directly at 207-370-0143 or send me a message.

The best part about working with me is that it will not cost you anything to talk with me and review your options.  I am paid by the insurance company once you choose the best plan for you.  I will not ask you to pay me or to make a donation.  And you will pay the same price for your insurance plan that everyone pays whether they had my help or did it all alone.

“My goal is to help people and I have found great joy in being able to offer my services to people who need my help.”