Monroe Community College - State University of New York


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Living Healthy
 
How to stay healthy Men's Health Women's Health Resources
Alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and other drugs Immunization requirements Personal safety

Men's Healthline

Sexual Health Tobacco Use Heart Health
Sports Injuries Violent Injury & Death

Sexual Health

Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men ages 15 to 34. Survival rates are high, especially if the cancer is detected and treated early. This is the same cancer that Lance Armstrong beat and went on to win the Tour de France.

Testicular self examination should be done once a month. Ask your primary care physician (PCP) or pick up one of our brochures if you are unsure how to do it. Testicular Cancer is one of the most curable forms of Cancer.

For more information on how to do a testicular exam, Health services has several brochures available on testicular cancer or go to www.cancer.org then search for testicular cancer.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV
If you choose to be sexually active, protect yourself and your partner against sexually transmitted infection. If you are concerned about your partner’s unwanted pregnancy (being a father), be well informed about contraceptive methods.

Sexually transmitted infections need medical attention. Prevention, through the use of condoms or abstinence, is your first line of defense. Early diagnosis is essential to prevent the spread of infection.
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If you have had more than one sexual partner or your partner has had more than one partner, STD and HIV testing are recommended even if you have no symptoms.

Urethritis in men is an inflammation of the urethra in which urine and ejaculate are passed through the penis. In college-aged men urethritis is most commonly due to sexually transmitted organisms. Urinary tract infections are rare in men.

Common symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection are:

  • Skin sores, bumps or changes in the genital area
  • Drip or discharge from the penis
  • Painful or sore genitals
  • Pain during and after sex

Sexually transmitted infections can be bacterial or viral. Bacterial infections such as gonorrhea and syphilis can be easily cured with antibiotics. Viral infections like herpes can be controlled, but not cured, with medication.

If you are concerned that you may have a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD), please come to Health Services and speak to one of our nurses or seek medical attention from you own medical provider.

Another excellent resource is the STD Clinic at the Monroe County Department of Health:
855 West Main St. (Bullshead Plaza)
Rochester N.Y. 14611
(585) 464.5928
They provide free and confidential care. No appointment is necessary. Hours are:

Monday 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Wednesday 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Thursday 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
Friday 9:30 am to 11:30 am

Health Services has several brochures on Urethitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections. Information is also available online.

Tobacco Use

Quit Smoking!                   Thinking About Stopping Smoking?

Pick up the phone and call:
New York State Smokers' Quitline
1-866-NYQUITS (1-866-697-8487)
NYS Smokers' Quitsite
- http://www.nysmokefree.com

Smokeless Tobacco
The use of chewing tobacco, also called spitting tobacco, and snuff is seen almost exclusively in men and more so in male athletes. Be aware that this form of tobacco, although not inhaled, is also highly addictive and carries significant risks oral cancer and gum disease. Chewing tobacco and snuff are not safe alternatives to cigarettes. Get the facts.

Violent Injury and Death

Violence involving young men includes assault, rape, suicide, homicide, and injury or death from motor vehicle accidents.

Assault and Homicide
According to the CDC “homicide is the second leading cause of death in ages 10 to 24 and the leading cause of death in African Americans in this age group.” Don’t become a statistic!

The use of alcohol and other drugs and being around people who use alcohol/drugs increase your risk of becoming the victim of a violent act. Gang involvement and low commitment to school also increase the risk of violence in your life.

Increased involvement with school and social activities can be a protective factor if you are concerned about violence in your life. 

Suicide
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people aged 15-24, and the second leading killer in the college population. Males are four time more likely to die from suicide than females and males are more likely to use a gun to commit suicide.

Suicide is often linked to untreated depression.
Specific signs of potential suicide include:

  • Talking openly about committing suicide
  • Talking indirectly about "wanting out" or "ending it all"
  • Taking unnecessary or life-threatening risks
  • Giving away personal possessions

If you are thinking about suicide or are concerned about a friend; come to Health Services, Counseling or call 1-800-SUICIDE where counselors answer phone calls 24 hours a day.

To read more about suicide online:

Rape
In 8 out of 10 rape cases, the victim knew the perpetrator. It is estimated that 1 in 5 college women experienced completed or attempted rape during their college years.

You can prevent acquaintance rape in several ways. You can reduce your risk of harming someone else through misunderstandings about sex by reducing or not drinking when you socialize. Drinking moderately or not at all (for example, no more than a drink an hour with food) will keep you more alert to when your behavior and the behavior of other men become aggressive. Speak out against acquaintance rape; communicate to other men that it's okay not to drink and not to have sex. Look out for women and men who may be at risk and intervene if necessary by alerting others or by calling public safety.

Everyone has a part to play in preventing acquaintance rape by creating an atmosphere of zero tolerance for heavy drinking and for any type of violence, including acquaintance rape.

Motor Vehicle Accidents
Younger and newer drivers are significantly more likely than more experienced drivers to:

    • underestimate hazardous situations or dangerous situations.
    • speed, run red lights, make illegal turns, ride with an intoxicated driver, and drive after using alcohol or drugs.
    • wear seatbelts, especially after drinking alcohol or using drugs.

This behavior results in the increased risk that young people will be in motor vehicle accidents and when they are in MVAs the risk of serious injury and death is greatly increased.

Sports Injuries

Participation in athletics improves physical fitness, coordination, self-discipline, and gives people valuable opportunities to make friends, socialize, and learn teamwork.

Sports activities can also result in injuries - some minor, some serious, and others resulting in lifelong medical problems. Injuries among young athletes fall into two basic categories: overuse injuries and acute injuries. Both types include injuries to the soft tissues (muscles and ligaments) and bones.

Acute injuries are caused by a sudden trauma. Common acute injuries among young athletes include contusions (bruises), sprains (a partial or complete tear of a ligament), strains (a partial or complete tear of a muscle or tendon) and fractures. Not all injuries are caused by a single, sudden twist, fall, or collision. A series of small injuries can cause minor fractures, minimal muscle tears, or progressive bone deformities, known as overuse injuries.

Prevention:

  • Be in proper physical condition to play a sport
  • Warm up/cool down
  • Avoid playing when very tired or in pain
  • Wear proper safety equipment for your sport correctly
  • Remember training and techniques to prevent injury
  • Attend to injuries promptly

When to Seek Medical Treatment
You should call a health professional if:

  • The injury causes severe pain, swelling, or numbness
  • You can't tolerate any weight on the area
  • The pain or dull ache of an old injury is accompanied by increased swelling or joint abnormality or instability.

For self-help for a sprain or strain (Link to self help for minor injuries)
For more information on sports injury online, go to:

Heart Health

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for men of all ages and racial backgrounds. This risk can be minimized by eating healthy, exercise and maintaining an ideal weight. These healthy lifestyle changes are best established at younger ages, but it is never too late! Plus there is the added benefit of feeling and looking better.

Know your blood pressure. It should be below 130/85
Know your cholesterol level. It should be below 200
Stay close to your ideal body weight by following diet and exercise

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Questions on Health Services? email healthsvc@monroecc.edu


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