"Network for men" sends patients to the doctor

New campaign aims to make annual checkups a macho activity.

By Victoria Stagg Elliott, AMNews staff. May 24/31, 2004.

In between car shows, "Star Trek" reruns and wrestling competitions, Spike TV, a men's cable television network, will urge viewers to "check up or check out," as part of a campaign to improve men's health by urging them to go to the doctor annually. Men's lack of regular contact with primary care physicians has long been documented and, as a result, men often miss regular important screening examinations.

"An annual checkup ... is the easiest preventive step for all diseases," said Spike TV President Albie Hecht. "If only guys took care of themselves like they do their cars, just imagine how many health problems could be stopped at the start."

In conjunction with Spike TV's effort, the Men's Health Network, a Washington, D.C., nonprofit organization, has published a 10-point inspection card to help make the point.

"Prostate. It isn't as bad as it sounds -- just a quick check of the tailpipe and a PSA blood test and you're set for a year," is one example of the card's message.

The National Medical Assn. also endorsed the campaign, and former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani is board chair. "In my case, a routine physical just may have saved my life, since that is how my doctor discovered that I had prostate cancer," Giuliani said.