Today is International Men’s Day. An event to celebrate contributions men make to society and is also raising awareness about issues that disproportionately affect them.
The celebration is guided by Six Pillars and for this article we would like to highlight one of them which is the importance of health and well-being.
Looking at men’s health can be imperative to resolving health issues which affect men more than women such as certain mental health conditions and certain types of cancer.
As we honour men, let’s also take a moment to focus on a critical aspect of their health: prostate cancer.
Did you know that 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime?
It’s crucial that we raise awareness about prostate cancer disease and encourage regular check-ups. Early detection can make a significant difference in outcomes!
As you may have seen in the news recently Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy sadly announced that he has advanced cancer that has spread to his bones and is terminal. In light of this he would encourage more younger men to be checked for the disease if they have strong family history as this is currently not routinely offered to those under 50 without symptoms that may be at risk. Prostate Cancer UK have a 30 second online risk checker which can be found on their website.
Organisations such as Prostate Cancer UK want to stop prostate cancer being a killer funding groundbreaking research, drive improvements in treatment, and fight injustice in care.
The good news is that statistics are showing that 8 in 10 men diagnosed with prostate cancer in England survive their disease for 10 years or more with survival rates tripling over the last 50 years.
Alongside awareness, the right healthcare products such as Pulse Clarity and life cover can provide peace of mind for both individuals and their families. Whether it’s health insurance that covers preventative screenings or life cover that secures your loved ones’ future, taking proactive steps is essential.
Ben Broom, Head of Pulse Clarity would like to share “Whilst we are getting more comfortable discussing our physical and mental health, there are still men who choose to avoid going to see a GP or consultant when they experience changes in their body, or a friend or family member when they need help in their life. Unfortunately, this is a critical element to getting the right care that we need at the time we need it most. Early treatment of most health conditions leads to positive outcomes, and we should not be afraid about needing help every once in a while.
Whilst physical and mental health can be tackled with local NHS and Private resource, Pulse offers a wide range of policies that can alleviate some of the financial burden when our physical or mental wellbeing disrupts our day to day life. We also try to offer services within these products that cover more than just the financial element. Our Cancer product offers services from our partner ReFrame who are experts in this area.”
What are the symptoms to look out for with prostate cancer?
Knowing the symptoms to look out for recognising prostate cancer could save a live and our partner ReFrame has kindly put together an useful information pack which can be found here
What are the most common cancers for men and what are the symptoms to look out for?
Our partner ReFrame has kindly put together an useful information pack outlining the ten most commonly found cancers in men and what their symptoms are to look out for which can be found here
Top tips for men’s health and well-being:
- Stay connected with friends and family.
- Stay active as exercise can improve both physical and mental health by producing dopamine and endorphins.
- Hobby / club can help learn new skills and meet new people and gives focus for something else to enjoy.
- Schedule some downtime taking breaks from work and task and find something that helps you to relax and unwind.
- Diet plays a part and limiting your amount of processed foods and by having protein rich with seasonal vegetables and fruits.
- Get enough sleep.
- Take regular breaks from screens such as computers and phones.
Generally, men are less likely to seek medical help when needed which can contribute to higher rates of undiagnosed and untreated health issues. Let’s support each other by sharing knowledge and resources about men’s health.
Today is a great opportunity to start those conversations—whether it’s over coffee with friends or a quick chat at home.
Together, we can break the stigma around men’s health and ensure that everyone has access to the care they deserve. Let’s make every day a day of awareness and action!
