Screen Today, Strong Tomorrow: Preparing for Men’s Health Month in June

Next month is Men’s Health Month, observed every June to raise awareness about health concerns that men experience and highlight the importance of preventative care.

Men experience high rates of colorectal cancer diagnoses. By the end of 2026, the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 55,410 new cases of colon cancer in men, and approximately 28,750 new cases of rectal cancer. Colorectum cancer is also one of the most lethal cancers in Colorado.

The second most common cancer diagnosis in cisgender men is prostate cancer. According to the CDC, men have higher of getting prostate cancer than dying from it.

How to make a difference

Leverage the tools and data that are available to you to best understand the community you serve and take meaningful action:

• Use the Cancer Report in the Community Analytics Platform (CAP) to:
  • Understand diagnosis, treatment, and mortality rates at your facility.
  • Identify patients who are coming due for colorectal and/or prostate screenings and conduct timely outreach to schedule an appointment.
  • Understand your current screening rates and screenings over time.
  • Learn about the average cost per screen as well as total screening costs.
• Explore and utilize resources from the Colorado Cancer Screening Program which include:
  • Patient navigation sustainability tools
  • Educational resources from the American Cancer Society
  • Best practices and partnership opportunities through the Colorado Cancer Coalition, and more!
• Share informational materials to your patients on testing options such as FIT, gFOBT, and colonoscopy.

Impactful considerations for destigmatizing care

Men are significantly less likely to seek help, which is in large part due to the stigma, societal expectations, and pressures that shape how likely they are to talk about their struggles or seek support.

A few things to consider include having candid conversations about cancer and preventative health.

• Explore and encourage preventable risk factors, including a healthy diet and exercise
• Be mindful of the language you use. Consider using alternatives to “colon cancer screening” which can include “digestive health” or “GI screening.”
• Address embarrassment head on and emphasize how digestive health is part of overall wellness.

Want to use data to improve outcomes in your community?

We can help!  Your participation in the Rural Connectivity Program allows you access to CRHC’s team of Quality Improvement Specialists, who are available to support your team in improving your community’s healthcare outcomes. Our RCP team provides technical assistance tailored to your clinic’s specific goals. We’re here every step of the way to make sure you get the most out of this platform for your organization.

For more information about the reports available in the CAP, contact the Rural Connectivity Team at ruralconnect@coruralhealth.org.