This Movember, men are being encouraged to take an action that their older selves will thank them for: getting a health check.
On average, men in the UK die almost four years earlier than women from largely preventable diseases.
This is partly due to some men hesitating to see a doctor until an issue becomes severe, even though early diagnosis frequently leads to a better outcome.
“There is a massive window of opportunity to head off serious long-term health conditions if you get in there and get checked,” says Dr Hugh Coyne, private GP and co-founder of Coyne Medical in London.
“It makes such a difference to people’s lives when they do that.” The GP specialises in primary prevention to identify early silent risk factors in killer diseases, and says the difficulty is that men don’t see the downsides that he sees.
“Nobody ever comes and says, ‘Thank you for saving me from a heart attack I never had!’” And he advises: “Look after yourself now and do something that your 80-year-old self is going to thank you for.” Nearly one in eight men experience depression or anxiety, but less than half receive treatment.
“Men generally find it difficult to seek help – they can perceive it as a bit of a weakness,” explains Coyne.
“Not helped by the pervasive online wellness trend of stoic philosophy, a side effect of which is men not wanting to burden anyone else with their problems.” But asking for help is the first step in overcoming depression.
Symptoms: Men express mental health struggles differently from women – showing outward signs such as anger or escaping into their work.
“Early signs are not wanting to see friends, or not being interested in activities they used to enjoy, lacking motivation or appetite or not sleeping.
Overeating can also be a factor, as can substance misuse,” says Coyne.
And he warns, “Because men often mask how they’re feeling, when they present with low mood or feeling anxious, these are more severe symptoms.” Health checks: Men should seek out their GP in the first instance.
“Having a relationship with a primary care provider opens up lots of treatments – from medication to talking therapy and lifestyle advice.
Sometimes, small tweaks can make a massive difference.” Testicular cancer is more common in younger men.
One of Coyne’s patients is a testicular cancer survivor, and he says, “My patient bravely asked his mates, ‘Do any of you ever not ejaculate?’ And they were like, ‘No, no, mate.’ That prompted him to check himself and he found a lump.
“Testicular cancer often has really good outcomes, but the earlier it’s caught, the treatment can be more targeted and less severe, which is why the self-checks are important.” Symptoms: “Urinary symptoms and any kind of sexual dysfunctions such as problems with ejaculation or getting an erection, and obviously finding a lump.
But by the time people get these secondary effects, the cancer is going to be a little bit more advanced.” Health checks: “There isn’t a screening programme, so it’s very important for men to check themselves regularly,” says Coyne.
“I ask my patients to check their testicles at least once a quarter, usually in the bath or the shower.” “Men typically....
