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| Look after yourself
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| Healthy Dad, happy family
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Men hate doctors. It's official. Something to do with an innate fear of appearing weak, of being sick, unable to provide, survival of the fittest etc etc…Or perhaps it's just laziness or a fear of needles or someone whipping out the latex gloves.
For whatever reason, men just don't go to the doctor unless it's absolutely vital or they've been nagged to do so until they can't take it anymore.
Women on the other hand are quite happy to go for the smallest niggle, or just to put their mind at rest. They are also getting very good at going for regular check-ups for breast and cervical cancers, illnesses that can be diagnosed early and treated successfully… I mean, why wouldn't you want to check everything is OK and avoid serious illness or worse?
Men don't seem to see it that way, but they SHOULD! So many diseases can be treated easily or even completely prevented through early detection and regular health checks.
Most GPs are happy to carry out basic health checks for men. And if you've got private medical insurance, then your insurer will cover preventative health checks.
Generally speaking the following will be checked, assessed or discussed during a men's health check:
- Your lifestyle, including diet, exercise, alcohol and smoking
- Medical history
- Weight and height
- Blood pressure
- Blood test
- Cholesterol
- A urine test for diabetes or kidney infection
Other tests could include:
- Hearing and vision
- Lung function
- An electrocardiogram (ecg) to check for heart problems
- A chest x-ray, if you're a heavy smoker
- Prostate/testicles exam
Australia has a very high incidence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, but the five most common diseases affecting men are testicular cancer, moles and skin cancer, prostate issues and problems with urination, erectile dysfunction or impotence and depression. In fact, suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians between 18-44 years old, with men accounting for 3/5 of deaths.
1. Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 20 to 35.
If you notice a lump or abnormality in your testicles, first see your GP.
Most testicular lumps are not cancer, but it is essential to have any abnormalities checked. This is because treatment for testicular cancer, like many other cancers, is much more effective if the cancer is diagnosed early.
2. Moles & Skin Cancer
Check your moles regularly and be aware of any change in colour or shape, or if they start bleeding. Most changes are harmless and are due to a non-cancerous increase of pigment cells in the skin.
See your GP if a mole looks unusual or becomes itchy. It can then be checked and removed if necessary.
To minimise your risk of skin cancer, avoid exposure to the sun between 11am and 3pm. Cover up and use sunscreen with a high sun protection factor.
3. Depression
Depression is a real illness with real effects on your work, social and family life. Treatment usually involves a combination of self-help, talking therapies and drugs. If you're depressed, you may lose interest in things you used to enjoy. If you've been having feelings of extreme sadness, contact your GP.
Depression is more common in women, but men are far more likely to commit suicide. This may be because men are more reluctant to seek help.
4. Trouble urinating and prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the disease men can easily be treated for and there has been a significant increase of younger men contracting the disease and those that have a family history should consider regular PSA testing from 40 years of age.
Prostate cancer has been regarded for many years as an old man's disease - something that is a slow reactor yet something that many men die with - but not necessarily from.
However as life expectancy has greatly increased - by more than 10 years during the past four decades alone - prostate cancer has become a much greater concern.
There are currently 10,000 men are diagnosed annually with prostate cancer in Australia, with the majority more than 50 years of age, and it can be expected that more than 2,600 people will die from prostate cancer.
When the prostate is enlarged, it can press on the tube that carries urine from the bladder. This can make it hard to pass urine, which can be a sign of prostate disease, including cancer. Other symptoms include pain when passing urine and frequent trips to the loo, particularly at night.
5. Impotence
Half of all men over 40 have had trouble getting an erection at least once, but should see their GP if erection problems last for several weeks.
Generally, lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and exercise, can correct the problem. Some men may need medication.
Impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction, can be a sign of more serious conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure.
Anyone with any of the symptoms above or who is worried about any of these particular issues, should see their GP as soon as possible.
A healthy Dad means a happy family, so don't put it off.
For your family's sake, book a health check today…and then do it every couple of years from now on.
If the man won't go to the doctor… the doctor can come to the man!
If you or your partner needs a doctor, but your regular GP is closed, you can call National Home Doctor Service on on 13SICK (137425).
This fantastic service provides bulk billed, after hours, doctor home visits for many common, episodic illnesses, such as 'man' flu, migraine, fever, coughing, fever, gastro or vomiting.
The service is available from 6pm-8am weekdays, from midday Saturdays, all day Sundays and public holidays. National Home Doctor Service operates in: Sydney, Melbourne, Geelong, Shepparton, Brisbane Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Adelaide, Canberra and Launceston. They bulk bill everyone with a Medicare card so the home visit wont cost you a thing.
This service is perfect for a concerned spouse and the partner in denial! To make a booking, call 13SICK (that's 13 7425), visit the website National Home Doctor Service, or download the National Home Doctor Service App.
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