I’m feeling fit, so why would I need a health check? This is the attitude of most fit men under the age of fifty who have never had a health check. Another more worrying cause for resisting a complete health check-up is that some men simply don’t want to face up to the fact that a test might reveal there’s something wrong. Bizarre though this sounds, GPs acknowledge that this has indeed been a barrier, although a more positive recent trend has been helped by the message getting through that early diagnosis of almost any condition may help us avoid a life-threatening illness. The NHS tells us that more than 100,000 men die prematurely every year simply as a result of neglecting their health and failing to get a check-up. So it’s time to face up, and man up, and arrange your health check MOT.
SEE ALSO: The Most Common Men’s Health Problems
How should I go about it?
In the UK we are fortunate to have the option of a free NHS check-up (with your GP and a nurse, that takes about 25 minutes), or you can book in to a private health clinic if that’s your preference.
There are many private health clinics that will give men a full health check-up and if your job provides you with a private healthcare plan, this may be the option for you. For example, Bupa offers health assessments with a ticket price in the region of £400. And for that, you get an overview of your current general health, help to identify any future health risks and practical lifestyle advice, as well as, if necessary, access to an appropriate private referral.
The London Claremont Clinic, based in the vicinity of Harley Street, offers ‘executive’ health checks for men (and women), giving you an intensive two hours or more of specialist attention for around £200.
Rated by many as best of all options is the NHS Well Man Clinic. Here the health checks vary according to your age—18-39; 40-60; 60+
What will they do to me?
As mentioned above, the tests you receive, whether you’ve opted for a private clinic or NHS, will vary according to age. If, for example, you’re in the 18-39 group, it’s not likely that you’ll need a prostate test that’s on the cards for the older age groups. Here’s a list of some of the exams and screening you may expect:
• blood pressure
• chest X-ray, if you’re a heavy smoker
• cholesterol
• electrocardiogram (ECG) to check for heart problems
• family health history/any known hereditary conditions
• hearing and vision
• lung function
• urine test for diabetes or kidney infection
• weight and height
• your lifestyle assessment, including diet, exercise, alcohol and smoking
• your personal medical history
What if …?
Here are some of the top health issues men should worry about enough to get checked out if you think you have a problem:
• A lump on your testicle
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 20 to 35. Nearly 2,000 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year in the UK. In reality, this is quite a small number, however, the number could be smaller if men get into the habit of self-examination on a regular basis—while taking a shower is an ideal time.
It was in 2014 that Dr Chris made the headlines by checking a man’s testicles live on ITV’s This Morning show. The occasion helped to raise awareness of safeguarding against testicular cancer. Given early diagnosis, the current survival rate is 95 percent.
• Prostate problems
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH, is a condition in which the prostate enlarges as men get older. Over 70 percent of men in their 60s have BPH symptoms, so it is very common. While BPH is a benign condition and unrelated to prostate cancer, it can greatly affect a man’s quality of life. As the prostate enlarges, it presses on and blocks the urethra, causing bothersome urinary symptoms such as:
• a sense that you cannot completely empty your bladder
• a urinary stream that stops and starts
• difficulty or delay in starting urination
• frequent need to urinate both day and night
• urgent feeling of needing to urinate
• weak or slow urinary stream
If you suffer from the above symptoms, you are not alone. BPH is one of the leading reasons for men to visit a urologist.
Treatment – UroLift System treatment is a straightforward procedure that is performed by a urologist. The Urologist places tiny implants to hold the prostate lobes apart, like open curtains on a window, to relieve compression on the urethra. This allows urine to flow normally again. The UroLift System treatment can be done in the physician’s office under local anesthesia. Typically, patients return home the same day without a catheter.
The UroLift System is an alternative for patients looking for something other than drug therapy or more invasive surgery. Treatment might be right for you if any of the following apply to you:
• You do not want to take another pill everyday
• You have tried BPH medication but are unhappy with the side effects
• You do not want to undergo major surgery due to potential surgical risks of side effects and complications
• You want a BPH solution that preserves your sexual function
• You want to regain your quality of life with minimal downtime
Benefits of the UroLift System include:
• durable results
• minimal downtime
• minimally invasive
• preservation of sexual function
• rapid symptom relief, as early as 2 weeks post procedure
• straightforward procedure
• typically no catheter or overnight stay required after treatment
• Impotence
Most men have suffered some minor form of erectile dysfunction (ED) and this can occur at any time often caused by stress and worries of one kind or another, with psychological issues tending to affect men in the younger age group (20-40). However, if the ED lasts for several weeks, the expert advice is to see your GP because the condition can be a sign of more serious conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure.
Dr John Tomlinson of The Sexual Advice Association says ED is ‘much more common than people realise. In the 20-40 age group it affects around 7-8 percent of men; in the 40-50 age group it affects 11 percent. In the over-60s it affects 40 percent, and more than half of men over 70.’
Seeking advice from your GP may reveal that some lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and exercise, can correct the problem; however, some men may need medication such as sildenafil, which is prescribed as Viagra.
• Depression
This is a treatable medical condition and by recognizing this you’ll be taking first step in the right direction. The loss of your job or the loss of a loved, or financial worries one can cause feelings of extreme sadness that can be treated usually through a combination of self help, talking therapies and drugs. Although women are more prone to depression than men, men are less likely to seek help, and this is one of the main reasons why the suicide rate is higher for men.
The bottom line is having health awareness. If men can give some time to following a lifestyle that helps nurture good health, which includes having the necessary health checks, then this will help us significantly reduce the risk of developing serious ill health in later years.
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