November, often referred to as ‘Movember’, is Men’s Health Awareness Month and a good opportunity to share reminders on both physical and mental health.

Men in the UK die on average four years earlier than women and one in five men die before they reach the age of 65.

There are various theories as to why this happens, including that males tend to have more dangerous, physical jobs and take more risks than women. It has also been argued that many men are far less proactive at looking after their own health. Some men will put off seeking medical attention and will shy away from talking about their mental or physical health problems. There are many charities taking action to break stigmas and get men talking, aiming to prolong and improve quality of life.

Here are some timely reminders as November draws to an end…

#1 Diet is Important

67% of men are considered overweight or obese. Dieticians often comment that men consume less fruit and vegetables than females. It is important to address diet, ensuring to eat plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, fibre and unsaturated fats.

#2 Kicking Bad Habits

22% of men are smokers compared to 17% of women+. It is well known that smoking increases risk of cancers, particularly lung cancer, as well as increasing the risk of strokes, heart attacks and diseases.  Men consume more alcohol than women. 14% of men drink more than five days a week compared to 9% of women+. +First Aid For Life

#3 Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in men in the UK. Over 40,0000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Due to the sensitive nature of many of the symptoms, many men put off seeing a medical professional. See our article for the symptoms to be aware of.

#4 Testicular Cancer

Much like prostate cancer, the nature of the symptoms sometimes put men off seeking help. Testicular is most common in men aged 25 – 49, so those in this age bracket should be extra cautious and ensure they regularly check themselves. For information on self-examination please click here.

#5 Mental Health Awareness

A terrifying statistic is the fact that 13 men take their own life by suicide each day in the UK. There are many campaigns urging men to speak up about mental health and encourage us all to talk more openly about mental health. Some useful websites on mental health include:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/mens-mental-health-month

https://uk.movember.com/about/mental-health

Free Medical Check Ups

If you have any immediate concerns, underlying health issues or a family history of health problems, then you should seek advice from your GP as soon as possible.

The NHS offer free health checks every five years for people between the ages of 40 and 74. The 20 – 30 minute appointment will involve a discussion about your general health and lifestyle, check height, weight and blood pressure and a blood test will often be done. These check-ups are important for keeping on top of your overall health but can also highlight any areas of concern/further tests required.

It is important not to put off addressing health concerns if you are waiting for your next appointment or are not yet over 40 years old.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-health-check/what-is-an-nhs-health-check-new/

Delayed Medical Treatment or Diagnosis

When diagnosis of medical conditions happens later, the treatment options may be different, and the chances of survival can drop.  Occasionally these delays will have been caused by a medical professional.  If you or someone you know has suffered due to medical delays or a failure to refer for treatment, then there may be a case for clinical negligence.

To speak to someone about any concerns about medical treatment, then please call our expert team on 01256 844888, email enquiries@lambbrooks.com or speak to our online chat assistant at any time.  All discussions are free, without obligation and confidential.

Other Articles You May Be Interested in Reading:

Prostate Cancer: Now Most Diagnosed Cancer in the UK

15 Things to Ask Your GP When You Are Over 50

6 Signs That You Could Have a Medical Negligence Claim

The contents of this article are for the purposes of general awareness only. They do not purport to constitute legal or professional advice.  The law may have changed since this article was published.   Readers should not act on the basis of the information included and should take appropriate professional advice upon their own particular circumstances.