Strong Men Put Their Health First

THREE LAB TESTS EVERY MAN NEEDS

Fast, easy, and relatively painless. It’s how we wish we could describe laying tiles in the kitchen, building the treehouse in the backyard, or hitting that desired weight on the deadlift. Most things men are asked to do are quite the opposite of fast, easy, and painless. Whether it’s a physical or mental challenge, it’s nearly always just that: a challenge. This shouldn’t be the case when it comes to taking care of your health. It’s not uncommon for men to put their health on the back burner. This can be for a number of reasons. Some men procrastinate to avoid a negative diagnosis, and others are just reluctant to start the process of a health check-up, which generally takes time, money, and several blood draws.  

But here’s the thing, no matter what stage of life you are in, there are three lab tests you absolutely consider to get ahead of your health. Preventative care can do many things, including improving the quality of your life, if not just saving it completely. Men’s Health Month was created to highlight preventable health issues and encourage early detection of disease among men of all ages. Read below for three recommended lab tests designed to help men proactively maintain their health.

HAVE A HEART (TEST)

The CDC states that heart disease and cancer are the two leading causes of death for men. These two issues, along with numerous other debilitating and life-altering diagnoses, can be identified and treated early with preventative care. Let’s talk about heart health. While it can be deadly, it can be preventable with proper care. Heart disease is an umbrella term that includes multiple diseases, and each has different symptoms. The most common symptoms between the varying diseases are:

• Chest pain 
• Difficulty breathing 
• Fatigue 
• Racing heartbeat/irregular heartbeat
• Swelling 

It’s worth recognizing that your hormones tie into your heart health. Something that can greatly impact a man’s health is his hormones. Hormone health is crucial to the function of a man’s body and quality of life. It’s why getting your hormone levels evaluated can be a literal life-saver. 

For example, people who abuse the commonly known male hormone testosterone have an increased risk of high blood pressure heart attack, and stroke. Knowing the signs of a heart attack or stroke is one of the most important things you can do to safeguard your cardiac health. If you’re specifically looking for a heart health test, your neighborhood Any Lab Test Now® has the Heart Health Panel specifically for that. This panel provides an overview of your heart health status and can be used as a baseline assessment of your heart health and possible risk. 

NEED A FATHER’S DAY GIFT IDEA? HOW ABOUT COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING

Okay, we realize it’s not the best gift… but it’s a great way to make sure you celebrate a few more holidays. According to the American Cancer Society, essential to get screened.

If you want to take preventative measures before getting a colonoscopy, check out your local Any Lab Test Now® for the Colon Cancer Screening (FIT) Test to give you peace of mind. The FIT Test (Fecal Immunochemical Test) is a good health-monitoring test that detects hemoglobin, or blood, in the stool. The sample is collected in the privacy of your home, and only requires a small water-based sampling from one bowel movement. Kits can either be picked up in-store or purchased online and includes a prepaid shipping label to send the sample directly to the lab.

COMPREHENSIVE MALE PANEL

If you’re looking for an all-encompassing screening that will thoroughly take a look at your health with one test, look no further than Any Lab Test Now®. It can all be done using our simple, yet thorough, Comprehensive Male Panel. It’s specifically designed to give men a broad overview of their health. It includes testing for your blood count, a metabolic panel, which includes your kidney and liver functions, as well as your heart and hormone health. You will also receive a prostate-specific antigen test to evaluate your prostate health. The results could show your physician if your testosterone is low, how your liver and kidneys are functioning if you are at risk for diabetes, and even provide a baseline when it comes to prostate cancer.

The panel includes the following tests:

• Complete blood count of platelets 
• Complete metabolic panel 
• Cholesterol
• Prostate-specific antigen
• Testosterone 
• Thyroid 
• Hemoglobin
• Adrenal gland function

For the Comprehensive Male Panel at Any Lab Test Now®, fasting is required to do a thorough evaluation through bloodwork. You’ll get your detailed results back in just two to three business days! Once you get your results, we encourage you to create a wellness plan with your primary physician.

MONITOR THE IMPACT OF TESTOSTERONE IMBALANCES 

It’s important to note that the Comprehensive Male Panel includes a Testosterone Test. The main hormone we recognize in men is testosterone. Testosterone is a key hormone in men’s sexual development and function, and it impacts the structure of the brain and a man’s overall mental health. Testosterone also directly influences memory and learning because of where the receptors are located in the brain. Monitoring testosterone levels is important, as testosterone decreases as men age, and puts men at a greater risk of developing conditions like cancer and diabetes. 

If you think you’re experiencing a testosterone imbalance, you might recognize some of these symptoms. 

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Mood swings
• Impulsiveness
• Memory loss
• Irritability 

Physically, a decrease in testosterone can look like this:

• Loss of bone mass
• Increased body fat
• Erectile dysfunction
• Sleeping issues
• Decreased libido
• Hair loss

The Comprehensive Male Panel provides a broad overview of Men’s Health and is a quick way to figure out if your testosterone level is lower than normal. As you can see, it plays a major part in a man’s health, so it’s important to be aware of and monitor changes. 

Awareness. Prevention. Action.

At Any Lab Test Now, you get access to thousands of tests, many specifically designed with men’s health in mind. Most tests are completed in about 15 minutes or less. So come on guys, no more excuses, thanks to Any Lab Test Now, routine lab testing has never been easier. You take your vehicle for routine maintenance more than once a year in order to keep it from breaking down. Why not do the same for your health? Routine lab testing can help you establish a baseline! You may ask yourself, “How do I do this? How do I check in on my health while carrying on with my hectic schedule?” The answer is simple… visit ANY LAB TEST NOW®!

Find your local Any Lab Test Now® to learn more about the plethora of tests offered.

Break the Silence on the Silent Killer: Colon Cancer

We all know someone whose life has been touched by cancer. It’s a scary diagnosis that is generally followed up with treatment plans, support groups, and a journey of making peace with all the potential outcomes. By definition, cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. Unfortunately, there are many types of cancer, and they can attack anywhere inside the body, which only adds to the terror surrounding the diagnosis. Many people, understandably, don’t want to talk about cancer. Much less, specific cancers like colorectal cancer. 

Colorectal cancer is a disease where the cells in the colon or rectum grow out of control. Before a person is even aware, it can move from one stage to the next, causing treatments to become more intense and high-risk. Our greatest ally in fighting this cancer is early testing. At Any Lab Test Now®, we can provide you with the Colon Cancer Screening (Fit) Test. It’s a simple, non-invasive test that checks for blood in your stool. It’s the best way to provide you with early detection of polyps that could result in colon cancer. A huge benefit of this test is that you can take it in the comfort of your own home with no prior preparations. A home collection kit can be picked up in-store or purchased online and shipped directly to your home.

The past two years of COVID-19 have left us deeply impacted, and for many, the focus on other important health screenings has taken a backseat. Don’t let testing fatigue stop you from protecting yourself against a disease that can be completely preventable, and if caught early, beatable. Colorectal cancer typically occurs in people ages 45 and older, but in recent years, the disease has begun to affect younger people as well. Every year, about 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with this disease, with an estimated 50,000 deaths. Often known as the silent killer, colorectal cancer may develop without symptoms.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are several symptoms to look out for, including:

• Changing bowel habits 
• Persistent abdominal discomfort
• Rectal bleeding
• Weakness/fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss

There are certain risk factors that make a person more likely to develop colorectal cancer. If you are experiencing any of the above it’s greatly encouraged that you get tested. Doing so could give you the peace of mind you need or even save your life. 

You are more at risk for colorectal cancer if:

• You’re over the age of 45
• You have had colorectal polyps or cancer in the past
• You have a family history of colorectal cancer (parents, siblings, or child)
• You have ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
• Your diet is high in fat and low in calcium, fiber, and folate
• You smoke cigarettes
• You have certain genetic conditions

With the Colon Cancer Screening (Fit) Test from Any Lab Test Now®, you can take the test when it’s convenient for you in the privacy of your own home. We’ve all heard the horror stories that coincide with preparation for a colonoscopy. It’s fair to say that many people let that fear deter them from getting the test. Our home collection kit doesn’t require fasting or any other prep work. All you need to do is pick up the test, follow the instructions, and return the test for processing. Results generally take about five to seven business days.

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is one the most common types of cancer in men and women. It is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Routine testing can help prevent or find cancer at an earlier stage when it might be easier to treat. If found early, the five-year survival rate increases by more than 90 percent, meaning many lives could be saved by the awareness that comes with increased testing. 

New Year, Better You

In honor of March being National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month, let’s continue making our health a priority as 2022 pushes on so that you’re the best you there is. The take-home Colon Cancer Screening (Fit) Test from Any Lab Test Now® is worth breaking the silence about. We provide transparent and inexpensive prices for customers with no insurance, high deductible insurance, or who simply want to proactively monitor their health.

Five Ways to Improve Gut Health

Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Pharmacy shelves are filled with expensive probiotics touting gut health, but simple dietary (and lifestyle) changes, along with regular medical tests, can help build a strong digestive system and decrease the risks of colon cancer.

One in 23 men and one in 25 women will develop colon cancer. The American Cancer Society predicts 104,610 new cases of colon cancer to be diagnosed in the United States this year. In the United States, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women. Colorectal cancer typically starts from a growth in the lining of the colon or rectum, called a polyp. Adenomas polyps may change into cancer over time and can be removed if they are detected during colonoscopies. The colon measures five feet long and is responsible for absorbing any of the remaining water and salt in food before it exits the body as waste, according to the American Cancer Society.

The good news is that early detection and screening are helping reduce the death rate from colorectal cancer. To highlight Colon Cancer Awareness Month in March, take time out of your busy schedule to visit an Any Lab Test Now location to get an annual screening test. The Colon Cancer Screening (Fit) Test is a valuable tool to ensure good colon health.

Are You at Risk?

Many lifestyle factors increase your risk of developing colorectal cancer. Physicians cite lack of regular exercise, low fiber and high-fat diets, obesity, alcohol consumption and tobacco use as risk factors, the Centers for Disease Control reports. Regular screening and dietary changes are key to avoiding colorectal cancer, according to the CDC. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, it is important to be aware of some of the common signs of a problem and visit your physician.

Common signs include:

• Blood in your stool.
• Lingering stomach pain.
• Unexplained weight loss.

Easy Steps to Improve Gut Health

Stress, lack of sleep, antibiotics and a diet of highly processed foods can damage the health of the gut. In addition to obvious lifestyle changes to lower the risk of colorectal cancer, there are five easy steps everyone can take to improve gut health and reduce their cancer risk.

Eat more vegetables. Increasing consumption of whole grains, fruits, nuts and vegetables provides essential fiber, an important component of digestion.

Add fermented foods. Fermented foods like kimchi, yogurt and sauerkraut contain natural probiotics, which can help improve your gut health.

Eat dark chocolate and foods with polyphenols. Polyphenols found in foods like berries, dark chocolate and certain spices help improve digestion.

Cut out artificial sweeteners. A study conducted on mice reveals artificial sweeteners altered their metabolism and damaged their gut bacteria.

Brush and floss your teeth. Medical professionals are exploring a link between excess plaque and gum disease as one cause of colon cancer.

Get Tested at Any Lab Test Now

If you have a family history of colon cancer, the Colon Cancer Screening (Fit) Test is an important tool in the early detection of blood in the stool that could indicate colon cancer. The Colorectal Cancer Alliance recommends adults start getting screened annually at age 45. People with a family history of colon cancer should start getting screened at 40, or 10 years before the age of the youngest case in your immediate family. People with certain autoimmune diseases, like ulcerative colitis, may need to be screened prior to age 45.

You do not need an appointment to take advantage of Any Lab Test Now’s affordable lab testing. Patients can receive results via mail, fax or pick them up at their testing location. The test results are in an easy-to-read format that clearly states if the test is within the normal range. You should share the results with your physician. If the Colon Cancer Screening (Fit) Test detects blood in your stool, your doctor will likely schedule a colonoscopy to determine the cause. A colonoscopy is a test conducted under sedation by a gastroenterologist. The outpatient procedure involves inserting a camera in the rectum to allow the doctor to examine the colon for abnormalities.

Reduce your risk of developing this silent cancer by adopting healthy habits and getting regular screenings. Visit your local Any Lab Test Now to find out about the Colon Cancer Screening (Fit) Test.