10 Causes of Death In Men That Can Almost Always Be Prevent
Men face unique health challenges that often go unaddressed until it’s too late. Many leading causes of death among men are preventable with proper awareness, lifestyle changes, and regular medical care. Understanding these risks isn’t about creating fear—it’s about empowerment. By recognizing the health threats that disproportionately affect men, we can take meaningful steps to extend both lifespan and quality of life. The good news? Small, consistent changes can dramatically reduce these preventable risks.
1. Heart Disease
Heart disease remains the leading killer of men in America, but it doesn’t have to be. The combination of poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and stress creates the perfect storm for cardiovascular problems. Regular exercise—even just 30 minutes of moderate activity five days a week—can reduce heart disease risk by up to 30%. Adopting a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil, fish, nuts, and vegetables has significantly reduced heart attack risk. Regular blood pressure and cholesterol screenings starting at age 35 (earlier if you have a family history) provide crucial early warning signs.
2. Lung Cancer
Despite decades of warnings, smoking-related lung cancer continues to claim thousands of men’s lives annually. The good news is that quitting smoking at any age improves outcomes dramatically. Within just one year of quitting, your heart attack risk drops significantly. After 10 years, your lung cancer risk falls to about half that of a current smoker. Even if you’ve never smoked, be aware of radon exposure in homes—the second leading cause of lung cancer—and get your home tested regularly.
3. Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is highly treatable when caught early, yet many men skip the screenings that could save their lives. Current guidelines recommend regular screenings beginning at age 45 for average-risk individuals. The colonoscopy’s reputation is worse than its reality—the procedure itself is painless, and preparation methods have improved significantly. A diet high in fiber and low in processed meats can reduce risk, as can maintaining a healthy weight and limiting alcohol consumption.
4. Suicide
Men die by suicide at nearly four times the rate of women, often because they’re less likely to seek help for depression and mental health struggles. Breaking the stigma around mental health care is literally lifesaving. Warning signs include withdrawal from activities once enjoyed, increased alcohol use, and expressions of hopelessness. Resources like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) provide immediate support during a crisis. Regular mental health check-ins should be as normalized as physical check-ups.
5. Diabetes Complications
Type 2 diabetes often develops gradually in men, with symptoms easy to dismiss until serious complications arise. Regular screening is essential, particularly for men with risk factors like family history, excess weight, or a sedentary lifestyle. According to the American Diabetes Association, maintaining healthy blood glucose levels through diet, exercise, and medication when necessary can prevent the cardiovascular complications, kidney failure, and nerve damage that make diabetes deadly.
6. Liver Disease
Alcohol-related liver disease claims thousands of men’s lives annually, yet is almost entirely preventable. Limiting alcohol consumption to moderate levels—no more than two drinks daily—significantly reduces risk. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, increasingly common with obesity, can be reversed through weight management and regular exercise. Early detection through liver function tests during routine physicals allows for intervention before permanent damage occurs.
7. Prostate Cancer
While not all prostate cancers are preventable, death from prostate cancer often is. Regular PSA screenings starting at age 50 (earlier for high-risk men) can detect cancer when it’s most treatable. Diet may play a role in prevention—tomatoes, which contain lycopene, and foods rich in selenium and vitamin E show promise in reducing risk. Having informed discussions with healthcare providers about screening options and treatment approaches is essential for making personalized decisions.
8. Stroke
Many stroke risk factors—high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, and physical inactivity—are modifiable through lifestyle changes. Controlling blood pressure is particularly crucial, as hypertension is the single most significant stroke risk factor. Learning the FAST warning signs (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, Time to call emergency services) can ensure prompt treatment, dramatically improving outcomes and reducing permanent disability.
9. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD, primarily caused by smoking, progressively damages the lungs and airways. While existing damage can’t be reversed, disease progression can be halted by quitting smoking immediately. Avoiding secondhand smoke and workplace respiratory hazards through proper protection is equally important. Early diagnosis through spirometry testing allows for treatments that significantly improve quality of life and prevent complications.
10. Accidents and Unintentional Injuries
Men are more likely than women to die from accidents, often due to risk-taking behaviors. Simple preventive measures make a difference: always wearing seatbelts, never driving impaired, using proper safety equipment during sports and home projects, and following workplace safety protocols. These straightforward precautions dramatically reduce preventable deaths from falls, motor vehicle accidents, and other injuries.
Taking Control of Your Health Destiny
Prevention isn’t complicated, but it does require commitment. Regular check-ups, honest conversations with healthcare providers, consistent healthy habits, and awareness of family history all contribute to longevity. The preventable causes of death discussed here share common solutions: not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, eating nutritiously, limiting alcohol, and managing stress effectively. These fundamental lifestyle choices can add quality years to a man’s life.
Have you implemented any preventive health measures that significantly impacted your well-being? What obstacles have you faced in prioritizing prevention in your healthcare routine?
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Travis Campbell is a digital marketer/developer with over 10 years of experience and a writer for over 6 years. He holds a degree in E-commerce and likes to share life advice he’s learned over the years. Travis loves spending time on the golf course or at the gym when he’s not working.