Men’s Health Awareness 

November is often known for raising awareness for men’s health. Men around the globe grow moustaches to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues such as mental health, prostate cancer and testicular cancer, to reduce the number of men dying prematurely. 

 

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

In England, 1 in 8 men suffer from common mental health problems like depression, anxiety and stress. While many mental health problems are faced by both men and women, men are often less likely to seek support when they are suffering.

Social expectations about how men “should” behave and what it means to be masculine may play a role in their mental health. The expectation that men should be strong and should never show their emotions means that when a man is struggling mentally, he is often reluctant to ask for help. In the UK and Ireland, men are 3 to 4 times more likely to die from suicide than women.

Prostate Cancer

In the UK about 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime, making it the second most common cancer in the UK after breast cancer. Prostate cancer does not have any symptoms, especially at the early stages. However, when the prostate is large enough to affect the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the urethra, some symptoms may occur. These symptoms include:

• An increased need to pee
• Straining while you pee
• A feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied

 

These symptoms should never be ignored however they do not always mean prostate cancer and can sometimes be caused by prostate enlargement.

The causes of prostate cancer are largely unknown though certain things can increase the risks of prostate cancer. According to the NHS factors that can increase the risk of prostate cancer include:

• Age: The chances of developing prostate cancer increase in men over 50
• For reasons not yet understood, prostate cancer is more common in men of African-Caribbean or African descent, and less common in Asian men.
• Family history: Men whose father or brother were affected by prostate cancer are at slightly increased risk themselves.
  Obesity

 

During the month of  November, The Doctors Clinic Group is offering Life Specific Prostate Health Screens at a discounted price. 

Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer to affect UK men under 50. Positively, it is one of the most treatable with 95% of men with testicular cancer surviving for 5+ years after diagnosis. According to the NHS Symptoms of testicular cancer include:

• Painless swelling or lump in one of the testicles
• Any change in shape or texture of the testicles
• An increase in the firmness of a testicle
• A difference in appearance between one testicle and the other
• A dull ache or sharp pain in the testicles or scrotum, which may come and go
• A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum

 

Similarly, to Prostate cancer, the exact cause or causes of testicular cancer are unknown, but a number of factors have been identified that increase a man’s risk of developing it. These factors include:

• Undescended testicles
• Family history
• Previous testicular cancer: Men who were previously diagnosed with testicular cancer are 12 to 18 times more likely to develop it in the other testicle

Men’s health services at the Doctors Clinic Group

The Doctors Clinic group offer a range of men’s health services including prostate and testicular examinations as well as mental health services suitable for both men and women.

Our medical experts are also available to discuss a vast list of other men’s health topics. Simply book a GP appointment in any of our private doctors’ clinics.

November is men’s health awareness month however it’s important to remember that everyone’s health is important all year round. Health should never be neglected.

Put your health first.

If you need emergency support, please go to your local A&E or call NHS 111 (in England). You can also contact the following crisis support hotlines:

• Samaritans – 116 123 (24/7, 365 days a year)
• SANEline – 0300 304 7000 (6pm – 11pm, 365 days a year)