Thousands of Australian men die every year from different causes but what is most shocking is that many are dying unnecessarily. What’s going on with our men?
Compared to women, men visit the doctor less frequently, have shorter appointments, and only attend when their illness is in its later stages. Men who are reluctant to see their doctor are missing out on regular health check-ups including those for skin cancer, cardiovascular disease, bowel cancer, diabetes and bone density.
Prevention is key
Regular check-ups can save lives because they give doctors a chance to pick up the early warning signs of illness and recommend lifestyle changes, screening or medication that may prevent an illness from developing or getting worse.
Healthy checklist
HEART: Neither high cholesterol nor high blood pressure typically have any warning signs, which makes it critical to have regular checks to reduce your risk of developing heart attack and stroke.
CANCER: Always make an appointment to see your doctor if you notice any unusual changes.
– Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men and the most common cause of cancer death in men but it can usually be cured if treated in its early stages.
– Bowel cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women. The risk increases with age but early detection greatly improves the chances of successful treatment.
MENTAL HEALTH: Men are more reluctant than women to talk to or see someone about a mental health problem, yet we know men are more likely to die from suicide. Research shows that support programs can make a huge difference to men. If you’ve been feeling more angry and irritable than usual, or lost interest in activities you usually enjoy, speak to your GP, or call a mental health service such as BeyondBlue on 1300 22 4636. The Movember website also has an extensive list of support options.
This article was previously published in the Well at Work Newsletter.
