Men are significantly less likely to go to the doctor or report healthcare concerns than women. Men are also less likely to accurately report their symptoms to a health care provider. How can we change this narrative?
June is officially Men’s Health Month and November is Movember, the month men grow mustaches to bring awareness to prostate cancer and other men’s health issues. What I like so much about Movember is the way it has evolved. Started in Australia in 2003, Movember was originally a group of friends who decided to grow mustaches to raise awareness about prostate cancer and men’s struggles with depression.
The focus has expanded to include promoting physical and mental well-being among men. These include issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health challenges, and suicide prevention.
During Movember, men are encouraged to openly discuss their health, seek support, and become proactive about creating healthier and happier lives.
Over the years, the popularity of “Movember” has spread around the world. Since 2003, Movember has funded over 1,250 men’s health programs around the world.
Men are dying at average over 4.5 years sooner than women. Many of these deaths are preventable.
Around 10.8 million men around the world are facing a prostate cancer diagnosis. It’s the most common cancer among men over 45. Understand your risks. Your risk increases with age. Black men and men with African ancestry are at greater risk for developing prostate cancer. Men with a family history of prostate cancer are also at higher risk. This link will help you understand your risks and what to do, https://us.movember.com/men-s-health/prostate-cancer
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among younger men, but it is 100% treatable if caught early. Men should be performing monthly self-exams of their testicles, this link will explain how and what to check for, https://us.movember.com/men-s-health/testicular-cancer
Lung Cancer is the most common cause of cancer death for men. Cigarette smoking causes an estimated 90% of all lung cancers. In 2021, almost seventy-thousand men were projected to die of lung cancer. Know the symptoms of lung cancer:
· Shortness of breath
· Persistent coughing
· Wheezing
· Coughing up blood
· Chest pain
· Fever
· Unexplained weight loss
While some people who have never smoked will develop lung cancer from environmental factors or exposure to dangerous chemicals, the best way to prevent lung cancer is to not smoke or be around others who are smoking.
Colorectal cancer may not present with symptoms in its early stages. Signs and symptoms may include:
· A change in bowel habits, diarrhea or constipation, or a change in the consistency of your stool for more than two weeks.
· Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool.
· Persistent abdominal discomfort – cramps, gas, pain, or bloating.
· Painful bowel movements with the pain concentrated in the abdomen.
· Feeling like your bowel doesn’t empty completely.
· Fatigue or weakness
· Unexplained weight loss
Eating a healthy diet, regular exercise, not smoking and only drinking in moderation are sensible ways to improve your health, but they may not prevent colon cancer. Early detection saves lives. Start prevention health screening at age 45 or earlier if you have a history of colon cancer or other risk factors.
Just as we discussed last month for Women’s Health, knowing the signs of illness can save lives. Know your family history and make sure every doctor you see has an accurate record of your family history. I know this might not be easy because families are often reluctant to discuss physical or mental health issues openly and honestly, but it can save lives. In my own family, certain members disagree about which relative suffered or died from various ailments. I mention these “gray areas” to my PCP, and we decide how much merit to give them. Make sure to pass the most accurate family health history along to your children.
Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women. The best methods of prevention are exercise, good nutrition, and relaxation. Roughly one quarter of all heart-related deaths occur in men aged 35-65. Men tend to develop heart disease 10-15 years before women. According to the CDC, 357,761 males died of heart disease in 2019.
Per the National Heart Attack Alert Program, these are the major symptoms men experience at the onset or during a heart attack:
· Chest Discomfort – usually in the center of the chest and lasting for a few minutes at a time as in a wave. It may feel like uncomfortable pressure, fulness, squeezing, pr pain.
· Upper Body Discomfort – may include pain/discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
· Shortness of Breath – may happen before or during chest discomfort.
· Other – Some people feel light-headed, nauseated, or beak out in a cold sweat.
Preventing a heart attack:
· Treat high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol by not smoking, eating a healthy diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fiber, exercise, and maintain a healthy weight, Medications are available for blood pressure or cholesterol management if these steps are not sufficient.
· Diabetes – people with diabetes have a heightened risk of heart disease. Manage your blood sugar with diet, exercise, and medication if needed.
· Don’t smoke and drink only in moderation – smoking and drinking are linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
The number one cause of death for men under 40 is accidents. Twenty-two percent of these accidents are auto related. Buckle up, drive responsibly, don’t drive distracted.
Male drivers involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes are almost twice as likely as female drivers to be intoxicated with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or greater. Never drink and drive!
After accidents, the second leading cause of death for men 25-34 is suicide.
Sixty-nine percent of all deaths by suicide are men. Across the world, one man dies by suicide every minute, every day. Establishing social connections can help improve mental health and prevent suicides. Encouraging men to share their physical and emotional struggles and concerns without judgement can help. Men (and women) who suffer from depression often feel shame. Eliminating the stigma associated with seeking help for depression or mental illness can save lives. Men and women often approach treatment differently. Programs especially for men are important because we want them to attend and keep attending. These are some of the ways Movember funds are being used, https://us.movember.com/about/mental-health
In addition to spreading awareness about men’s health issues during Movember, the focus is on getting men to live healthier lifestyles.
How do we do that?
· Encourage men to have regular wellness checkups, receive age related health screenings, and discuss any health concerns with their PCP. When answering health questions asked by their PCP or wellness team, it is important to be honest instead of telling them what you think they want to hear.
· Encourage men to be more active whether it’s walking for health, playing a sport, biking, lifting weights for cardio health, Yoga, or Tai Chi.
· Encourage men to spend some time meditating, breathing slowly while relaxing, reading, or listening to music. Stop and take a moment every day to destress and relax.
· Encourage men to stop smoking, limit or stop drinking alcohol, and eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Also watch the salt – excess sodium can cause problems for those at risk of stroke, heart failure, osteoporosis, stomach cancer, and kidney failure. It can elevate blood pressure, cause swelling, bloating, and puffiness. It can also cause calcium loss in the bones and stiffen blood vessels over time.
· Encourage men to find social connections through hobbies, sports, faith-based organizations, or music. Also encourage greater family connections by hosting family members for healthy meals for planning family outings.
Sources for this article:
https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/movember-2023-mens-health-awareness-month/