Health Concerns for men:
· Obesity · High Blood Pressure · Coronary heart disease · Cancer · Prostate problems · Prostate Cancer · Bowel Cancer · Bowel Screening · Diabetes · Impotence · Testicular cancer · Talking about men’s health Men and exercise facts· Fewer than half of men aged over 24 take regular, vigorous exercise · Only 20 per cent of middle-aged men take light to moderate exercise · 80 per cent of men do not exercise at least three times per week · 60 per cent of middle-aged men are totally inactive
Cancer The following symptoms may be caused by problems that are much less serious than prostate cancer. Try not to worry if you develop any of them; however do get them checked out by your GP (doctor): And less commonly... As a man gets older, his prostate may get bigger and restrict the flow of urine. This very common condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is not cancer but causes some of the same symptoms as prostate cancer. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and may suggest a blood test. This will tell the doctor about the level of protein called PSA (prostate specific antigen) in your bloodstream. High levels of protein, produced by prostate, can indicate prostate cancer. But the test can be positive for other reasons and does not provide a diagnosis of cancer. The doctor may do a physical examination to see if the prostate is enlarged. If your PSA level is high and the prostate gland feels enlarges, further tests may be needed. Further information is available from www.prostate-cancer.org.uk
The collaborative team focusing on Bowel Cancer awareness attend various events to encourage people that may have possible symptoms of cancer to seek early advice. Signs & symptoms: These symptoms are unlikely to be caused by cancer but it is better to play safe. For more information about cancer visit: www.cancerhelp.org.uk The team also promote and raise awareness of the National Bowel Screening Programme which offers screening every two years to all men and women who are aged between 60 to 69, with the option of requesting a kit if aged over 70. If you are aged between 60 - 69, the NHS will automatically send you a screening kit through the post. It's designed to be completed in the privacy of your own home, at a time that?s convenient for you. It only takes a few minutes to do and is returned by a prepaid envelope If you are aged 70+ you can request screening by calling freephone number: 0800 707 60 60 Bowel screening aims to find cancers at an early stage when treatment is simpler and more effective. It can also find growths in the bowel which are not cancerous but can develop into cancer. SCREENING SAVES LIVES. For more information about the bowel cancer screening visit: www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk
Most men spend more time on their car's health and maintenance than on that of their own body. Here's how to give any man a full MOT and keep his engine and body work in good order for as long as possible
High blood pressure
At least one in 10 adult males has a high blood pressure (hypertension) - consistently raised above 140/90 mmHg, but they remain unaware of this important health problem. A further 13 per cent are receiving treatment for hypertension, but around half of these still have an unacceptably high blood pressure. Unfortunately, as high blood pressure usually causes no obvious symptoms, it's easy to miss a diagnosis.
If a man hasn't had his blood pressure checked in the last year or two, make an appointment to see the nurse at your GP surgery.
Coronary heart disease
Men aged 55 to 74 are twice as likely to have suffered a heart attack or stroke as women of the same age and overall, one in four men will eventually die from coronary heart disease. One in five men die prematurely - before the age of 75 - from diseases of the heart and circulatory system.
To beat these odds, adopt a healthier lifestyle with regular exercise, no smoking, and keep your alcohol intake to no more than three to four units of alcohol per week with at least a couple of alcohol-free days (one pint of normal strength beer contains two units). If you are overweight, or heart problems run in his family, it's a good idea to have his cholesterol levels checked. Another risk factor is homocysteine, an amino acid that damages artery linings if levels are too high. This can be checked with a blood test.
Obesity
An estimated 10 per cent of boys, and 66 per cent of men, are either obese or overweight. The average male now weighs over 78kg (12st, 4lb). Being overweight increases the risk of a number of serious illnesses, including high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary heart disease and strokes.
If a man is overweight, he should do all that he can to lose excess fat, by eating a healthy diet and increase the amount of exercise he takes. Brisk walking, cycling, swimming, DIY and gardening are all ideal activities. If you haven’t exercised for some time, start off slowly and gradually increase the level of activity as you become fitter.
Research suggests that men with a waist circumference larger than 102cm (40") are more likely to have shortness of breath, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and diabetes than those with slimmer waistlines. Slight waist reductions of just 5cm (2") to 10cm (4") can significantly reduced his risk of a heart attack.
At least one in three men will have cancer diagnosed at some point in their life, with one in four eventually dying from it. While some cancers can be inherited, losing excess weight, eating five servings of fruit and veg per day, not smoking, keeping alcohol intake within sensible limits and exercising regularly will help to protect against a number of common cancers.
A good intake of fruit and veg is vital - latest research suggests that just eating an extra portion a day can reduce the risk of early death from cancer and heart disease by a fifth.
Prostate problems
The prostate is a male gland the size and shape of a large chestnut. It lies just beneath the bladder, and wraps round the tube (urethra) through which urine exits the bladder. After the age of 45, this gland starts to enlarge (known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) due to a general increase in the number of prostate cells present. BPH affects at least 14 per cent of men in their 40s and 40 per cent of men in their 70s, causing symptoms such as: · Delay or difficulty in starting to pass water · Straining when passing water · Weak urinary stream · Urinary discomfort · Urgency and urinary frequency · Waking at night to pass water · Incomplete emptying of the bladder · Urinary incontinence · Sudden inability to pass water
Prostate cancer What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
Early detection is important
What will happen at the doctors?
Bowel Cancer
If you notice any of these symptoms and they last longer than 4 - 6 weeks tell your doctor.
Bowel Screening
Diabetes
One per cent of young adult males have diabetes, rising to over three per cent of men aged 65 to 75 and 4.5 per cent of men aged over 75 years. Diabetes mellitus is diagnosed when blood sugar (glucose) levels are consistently raised above a certain level. There are two main types: Type I diabetes, which usually first occurs under the age of 35 years, and Type 2 diabetes, which mainly develops over the age of 40. Type I diabetes usually develops rapidly with weight loss, excessive thirst and excessive production of urine, requiring urgent treatment. Type 2 diabetes tends to come on gradually, however, and often remains undiagnosed. It's most common in people who are obese.
If a man hasn't had his urine screened for glucose in the last few years, arrange to take a sample to the surgery for checking.
Impotence
Impotence - also known as erectile dysfunction - affects an estimated one in ten men. It becomes more common with increasing age, affecting 40 per cent of men aged 40, and almost 70 per cent of those aged 70. Eighty per cent of all impotence cases have an underlying physical cause such as diabetes, circulatory disease, side effects of medical or surgical treatment, hormone imbalance or nervous system diseases. Psychological causes, such as depression, only account for 20 per cent of cases.
If a man has difficulty making love, he should seek medical advice. He doesn't need to feel embarrassed - doctors deal with this sort of problem every day and several new treatments have become available over the last few years.
Impotence facts· One in 20 males has permanent problems with impotence · One in seven suffers from impotence at least once every three months · In up to 70 per cent of cases, a physical problem is the cause (for example, tiredness, overworking, stress, drugs, hardening of arteries, diabetes, nerve conduction problems and leaky penile veins) · In over 90 per cent of cases, a man with impotence can be successfully treated
Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer mainly affects young men, with half of all cases occurring under the age of 35 years old. It is now four times more common than 50 years ago but many testicular cancers are curable, if caught early enough. The most common symptom is swelling in part of one testicle, which is usually painless although some men notice an ache or heaviness.
Testicle check
Men should check their testicles regularly for lumps - or allow partner check them as part of foreplay.
1. Hold each testicle gently between the thumb and fingertips of both hands
2. Slowly bring the thumb and fingertips of one hand together while relaxing the fingertips of the other
3. Alternate this action so the testicle glides smoothly between both sets of fingers. This lets you assess the shape and texture of the testis - you may be able to feel a soft tube (epididymis) attached towards the top, at the back, which is normal
4. Repeat with the other testicle
Each testicle should feel soft and smooth - like a boiled egg without its shell. If there are any lumps or irregularity, your man should tell his doctor straight away. Try not to panic. Many non-serious types of lump can also occur in the testes, but all need investigation just in case.
Testicular cancer-facts· A man's lifetime risk of developing testicular cancer is at least one in 450 · If a man's brother has been affected, his risk rises to one in 50 · A male born with an un-descended testicle is 36 times more likely to develop testicular cancer than one born with both testes in the scrotum.
Talk about men's health
Male average life expectancy is around six years shorter than the female equivalent. Despite this, men are notoriously bad at looking after themselves. Many are unaware of the range of health services available from their GP. Others tend to avoid visiting their GP until a problem becomes really bad.
One per cent of young adult males have diabetes, rising to over three per cent of men aged 65 to 75 and 4.5 per cent of men aged over 75 years. Diabetes mellitus is diagnosed when blood sugar (glucose) levels are consistently raised above a certain level. There are two main types: Type I diabetes, which usually first occurs under the age of 35 years, and Type 2 diabetes, which mainly develops over the age of 40. Type I diabetes usually develops rapidly with weight loss, excessive thirst and excessive production of urine, requiring urgent treatment. Type 2 diabetes tends to come on gradually, however, and often remains undiagnosed. It's most common in people who are obese.
If a man hasn't had his urine screened for glucose in the last few years, arrange to take a sample to the surgery for checking.
While a number of male health problems are linked with increasing age, symptoms should not be dismissed as merely due to the ageing process. Men with recurrent problems, such as those affecting the urinary tract, should always seek medical advice from their GP or - if they prefer - by talking to the practice nurse in their surgery.
For more information visit:
· Everyman- male action against cancer
· Prostate cancer- http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/
