Every minute, one man in this country is struck down by Man-Flu. Women, all men ask is that each of you offers them a cup of tea, some kind words and your undivided attention and care.’ While this joke shows how good men are suffering colds and flu, many men are not good at facing up to the more serious health problems.
Early diagnosis
Bowel cancer
As with all diseases, early diagnosis is the key to early treatment, which in turn vastly increases the chances of survival and recovery. This is why screening opportunities are so important. For example, since March 2013, the NHS has run a Bowel Cancer Screening Programme across the UK. The programme (for men and women) aims to find any small growths called ‘polyps’, which may develop into bowel cancer if left untreated.
From middle age onwards, men are known to be vulnerable to developing bowel cancer. In addition to screening (above), expert opinion and advice informs us that prevention of developing bowel cancer through a healthy well-balanced diet, as well as giving up smoking and reducing alcohol intake, are the most positive steps men can take.
See also: Treatment for Peyronie’s Disease
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is another disease that is all-too-common in men, especially in later life. Although there is currently no organised NHS screening programme for prostate cancer, an informed ‘Choice’ programme, ‘Prostate Cancer Risk Management’ has been introduced.
The aim of ‘Prostate Cancer Risk Management’ is to ensure that men who are concerned about the risk of prostate cancer receive clear and balanced information about the advantages and disadvantages of the PSA test and treatment for prostate cancer. This will help men decide whether they want to have the test. The PSA test is a blood test that measures the level of PSA (prostate specific antigen) in your blood. PSA is made by the prostate gland, and some of it will leak into your bloodstream depending on your age and the health of your prostate.
Should I have the PSA test?
- It may reassure you if the test result is normal.
- It may give you an indication of cancer before symptoms develop.
- It may find cancer at an early stage when treatments could be of benefit.
- If treatment is successful, the worst possible outcomes of more advanced cancer, including death, are avoided.
- Even if the cancer is more advanced and treatment is less successful, it will usually extend life.
If you are worried about a specific problem, or otherwise worried about the risks of cancer, then you should talk to your GP.
See also: Important Male Health Checks
Skin cancer
Another risk area, particular for men who are outside workers such as builders, farmers, fisherman, etc., is exposure to the harmful rays in sunlight that can lead to the development of skin cancer. The ‘macho man’ is commonly known to reject the idea of using sun lotion because it’s considered ‘sissy’. In reality, protection by using sun block and a hat should simply be regarded as commonsense health precautions because…
Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Non-melanoma skin cancer refers to a group of cancers that slowly develop in the upper layers of the skin.
The term ‘non-melanoma’ distinguishes these more common kinds of skin cancer from the less common skin cancer known as melanoma, which spreads faster in the body. The first sign of non-melanoma skin cancer is usually the appearance of a lump or patch on the skin that doesn’t heal after a few weeks. In most cases, cancerous lumps are red and firm, while cancerous patches are often flat and scaly.
See your GP if you have any skin abnormality that hasn’t healed after four weeks. Although it is unlikely to be skin cancer, it is best to be sure.
Reducing your risk
To unlock secrets of a longer life, it helps to look at statistics for the leading causes of death, plus the leading risks to men’s health. Some of the risks can be reduced, helping longevity.
The six biggest risks to men’s health in the UK are:
- Smoking (21.6 percent) is a major risk factor in lung cancer, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and heart disease.
- High blood pressure (18.3 percent) increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- High cholesterol (15.6 percent) is another big risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
- Obesity (10.7 percent) increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and its complications.
- Not enough fruit and veg (8.7 percent). Not putting five-a-day on your plate at mealtimes increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and some cancers.
- Lack of exercise (6.2 percent). Not achieving the recommended 150 minutes of exercise a week increases the risks of heart disease, stroke and bowel cancer.
You are responsible for reducing your own risk by making wise lifestyle choices that put you on the road to healthy living through a healthy diet, no smoking, and doing plenty of exercise. All of this is Dr Hilary’s key message in order to enhance and extend our lives.
Sources: NHS ‘Choices’; Boots WebMD
SEE ALSO: How to prevent skin cancer
