ETR Staff Report
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Dr. Dylan Dean, family medicine physician with CHRISTUS Health in Kilgore
(EAST TEXAS) – As life gets busy, it is easy for men to put their health on the back burner. During Men’s Health Month in June, CHRISTUS Health is encouraging men to prioritize care by scheduling regular checkups and screenings.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 15% of men ages 18 and older report being in fair or poor health. Leading health risks include heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, stroke, and depression.
“Many men feel fine and assume that means they’re healthy,” said Dr. Justin Du, family medicine physician with CHRISTUS Health in Kilgore. “The reality is that many conditions don’t always present with symptoms, so it can remain uncontrolled for a long time and really emphasizes the need for and importance of regular screenings.”
Du said men are often encouraged to schedule appointments by spouses, parents, or children after years, even decades, without seeing a doctor. This reluctance can delay diagnosis and treatment of conditions that could have been prevented or managed more effectively through routine screenings.
Dr. Dylan Dean, family medicine physician with CHRISTUS Health in Kilgore, said preventive care remains one of the most effective ways to improve long-term health outcomes.
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” Dean said. “We see too many patients who wait until they have a heart attack, heart disease, or another serious illness before seeking care. Regular screenings help us identify risk factors early and address them before they become life-changing conditions.”
While screening recommendations vary based on personal and family history, Dean and Du note that age 30 is often when abnormal lab results become more common. Colon cancer screening generally begins at age 45, while prostate cancer discussions typically start around age 50.
Lifestyle factors also play a significant role in men’s health. Obesity, tobacco use, vaping, poor nutrition, and inadequate sleep are among the most common modifiable risk factors physicians see. Family history of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer can further increase a person’s risk.
“Prevention is key,” Du said. “The goal is always to prevent disease rather than react to it. Most insurance plans cover annual wellness visits and recommended preventive screenings because they help improve health outcomes and reduce the need for more costly treatments later.”
During Men’s Health Month, CHRISTUS Health encourages men to schedule an annual wellness visit, discuss personal risk factors with a healthcare provider, and take advantage of preventive services that can help them live longer, healthier lives.
To learn more about men’s health or to find a primary care provider, visit our websit