Gentlemen, it isn't what you want to hear, but it's true: As you grow older, your body becomes more prone to several serious diseases. So be sure to see your doctor for a checkup once a year, or more often if you're at risk for certain diseases.

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Guys, know your health stats

In 2002, 1.2 million American men died, and most of them (80 percent) died of one of the ten other leading causes of death for American men.

Men live 5.4 years fewer than does the average woman - 74.5 years for men, 79.9 for women.

Some of the factors that play a role include:

Heredity

Male sex hormones - which affect body fat distribution and are associated with an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and stroke

Social behaviors - smoking, drinking, using illicit drugs and engaging in casual sex

Risk-taking and aggressive behavior - which may lead to accidents, suicide, and homicide.

Here are the top ten risks to men's health, as published on www.MayoClinic.com

1. Heart disease (responsible for 28.4 percent of men's deaths)
   
   
2. Cancer (24.1 percent), especially of the lung and prostate
   
   
3. Accidents and injuries (5.8 percent)
   
   
4. Stroke (5.2 percent)
   
   
5. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (5.1 percent)
   
   
6. Diabetes (2.8 percent)
   
   
7. Influenza and pneumonia (2 percent)
   
   
8. Suicide (2 percent)
   
   
9. Kidney disease (1.6 percent)
   
   
10. Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis (1.5 percent)
    
    

To find out more about men's health issues, check out

MayoClinic.com   or    MedicineNet.com