In this blog, our Content Editor Stu encourages men to be open about the issues that affect them, as well as be more proactive and open-minded in accessing help, information and support.
Men's health
This week (15-21 June) is Men's Health Week in England and Wales. This is an initiative launched by the Mens Health Forum to encourage action and discussion around health issues affecting men. The 2015 campaign focuses on healthy living for men.
When it comes to cancer detection and prevention in men, high profile campaigns such as the 'Balls to cancer' initiative, have opened up discussion, prompted self-monitoring, and raised awareness around testicular cancer and its impact on the male population.
However, as figures released by Cancer Research UK in 20131 show, testicular does not actually feature in the ten most common cancers in men. Instead, prostate, lung, bowel and bladder lead the list. While self-assessment and checks on your balls is key to early diagnosis and accessing early treatment for testicular cancer, the conversation when it comes to men and cancer needs to change to reflect the full range of cancers that can affect the male population.
The fact remains that men are 37% more likely than women to die of cancer. While explanations behind this trend vary, most look to:
This reluctance to talk about personal health issues in the male population has seen Samuel L. Jackson, amongst others, throw his backing behind One For the Boys (onefortheboys.com or oftbunite.com). This is a male cancer awareness campaign looking to encourage men to open up about their health and access testing and treatment for prostate cancer. Jackson has cited the prompt for his support of the campaign in realising that a male friend had suffered in silence with their cancer diagnosis, rather than draw on the emotional support of those around them.
This reluctance to share intimate issues, silent resilience in the face of challenges, and strong belief that you can manage alone, is a mindset that many men will relate to when it comes to health issues. But that can place undue physical and emotional pressure on the individual, and carries significant risk of a delay in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
As we mark Men's Health Week 2015, it is important to recognise the lifestyle changes we can all make to reduce avoidable cancer risk factors that the male population disproportionately exposes itself to – whether in relation to tobacco, alcohol, excess bodyweight, occupational hazards or an increased uptake of sunbeds. Healthy living is key, but the conversation should not end there for men's health.
An equally important part of taking better care of ourselves as men is to be open about the issues that affect us and proactive and open-minded in accessing help, information and support. Rather than suffering symptoms in silence, it is important to know that Macmillan Cancer Support and other organisations are here to ease the burden, provide support, and help you on your way to treatment.
Whether you would like information, support or simply a chat in relation to cancer, whether current or suspected, you can call Macmillan for free on 0808 808 00 00. Accessing support is not weakness, refusing to take control of your own health is.
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We're with you every step of the way
The Macmillan team is here to help. Our cancer support specialists can answer your questions, offer support, or simply listen if you need a chat. Call us free on 0808 808 00 00.
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Source:
1Cancer Research UK. Excess Cancer Burden on Men. (2013). http://publications.cancerresearchuk.org/downloads/product/CS_REPORT_EXCESSBURDEN.pdf
2Men’s Health Forum. Men and cancer: Saving lives. www.menshealthforum.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdf/mhf-cancer-saving-lives-2013-lr.pdf
