Cleveland Clinic survey reveals men’s top concerns as they age

38% admitted to worrying about cancer, while 32% were concerned about their sexual health.

September 2022, CLEVELAND: A new survey by Cleveland Clinic reveals the health issues that most concern men as they age and explores many of the common misconceptions affecting the health of men of all generations.

The survey, conducted earlier this year among a national sample of 1,000 men aged 18 and over in the US, was part of Cleveland Clinic’s seventh annual MENtion It® educational campaign. The campaign aims to address the fact that men often don’t mention health problems or take steps to prevent them.

The survey found that, among the top four health issues worrying men as they age, 38% admitted to being concerned about cancer*, while 32% were concerned about their sexual health**. When it comes to sexual health issues, 44% of men named erectile dysfunction as their main concern.

However, more than half of men wrongly believed that low testosterone is the most common cause of erectile dysfunction. The survey results show that 71% of men who have experienced sexual health problems have also been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

The survey revealed that, despite these concerns, many men are not proactive when it comes to their health and knowing their family medical history. Fifty-five per cent of participants said they did not get regular health check-ups, and most respondents do not know their full family medical history when it comes to cancers (64%) and urological problems (77%).

Early detection, through preventive health tests and medical assessments, is essential for diagnosing many of these conditions while they are still at early stages and are treatable and curable.

“We know that men tend to avoid seeking routine medical care and are often unaware of many symptoms that can lead to serious health problems if not identified and treated in time,” said Georges Pascal-Haber, M.D., PhD., interim chair of Cleveland Clinic’s Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute.

“With this year’s survey, we wanted to gain a better understanding of men’s main health concerns and educate them about the importance of prioritising their health.”

Key survey findings:

• As they age, 32% of men worry about their sexual health**, almost the same percentage of men who worry about cancer* (38%).

• Specifically regarding sexual health issues, the main concerns for men as they age include erectile dysfunction (44%), loss of sex drive (39%) and low testosterone levels (36%).

• More than half of men (58%) wrongly think low testosterone is the most common cause of erectile dysfunction. The results show that 71% of men who have experienced sexual health problems, including erectile dysfunction, have also been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

• Around a third of men admitted they had never been screened for prostate cancer (33%), bladder cancer (36%) or testicular cancer (37%).

• 55% of men said they do not get regular health check-ups. This is more common among men of colour (white, 53% versus non-white, 63%).

• Most men do not know their full family medical history when it comes to urological problems (77%) and cancers (64%).

Visit http://www.clevelandclinic.org/MENtionIt for more information about men’s health and the important preventive steps all men can take.

* Includes prostate cancer, testicular cancer and bladder cancer

** Includes sexual dysfunction (covering erectile dysfunction, delayed or premature ejaculation, lack of interest in sex, inability to become aroused, painful intercourse) and infertility

Methodology

These highlights represent the key findings of an online survey conducted among a national sample of 1,000 American men aged 18 and over living in the continental United States.

Data for the total male population sample were weighted to be nationally representative based on census data for age, sex, ethnicity, region, urban versus rural area, household income and education level. The online survey was conducted by Savanta and completed between 6 and 17 May. The margin of error for the total sample at a 95% confidence level is +/- 3.1 percentage points.

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About Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical centre that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based on the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation.

Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 72,500 employees worldwide are more than 5,050 salaried physicians and researchers, and 17,800 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties.

Cleveland Clinic is a 6,500-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 22 hospitals and more than 220 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2021, there were 10.2 million outpatient visits, 304,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 259,000 surgical cases throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries.

Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/ClevelandClinic. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.

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