Men's Health - A little something every man should know…

October 2011. Men's Health Week may have been and gone, but now is as good a time as ever to pass on some information about healthcare issues affecting males and how to keep informed and keep safe.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a common disease that affects men from around the age of 45 years. It involves the prostate gland, a gland which sits just below the bladder and is the size of a walnut. As the urethra (the tube that carries or takes urine from the ladder) passes through the centre of the prostate gland and so any growth can often make urination difficult. The disease is the most common male cancer in the UK with around 32,000 diagnosed each year so therefore needs to be taken very seriously.

The risk factors for prostate cancer include:

Age – Being 50 years of age or older
Family History – Having a close male relative (father, brother or son) who has had prostate cancer increases your risk. A family history of breast or ovarian cancer may also increaser your risk.
Race – Being African Caribbean
Genes – Having certain genes can raise your risk

Is screening right for you?

It is important to talk to your GP about any changes in urinary function or pains in the hips, pelvis or lower back area. Your GP can explain the different tests and review your personal medical history to decide if you need any type of screening or further review.

Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells develop in one or both testicles. The testicles are the male reproductive organs. They make and store sperm and are the main source of the hormone testosterone in men. Testicular cancer is rare overall, but it is the most common cancer in men ages 15 to 35. It is also one of the most curable forms of cancer.

Frequent self-examination can make you become more aware of what’s normal for you, so you will notice if something is different. If you are concerned that you have a lump or pain in your testicles, it’s best to get it checked out, as it may re-assure you. There are many reasons why lumps could have formed and most are not testicular cancer. But it’s always best to have a check-up as early detection of problems can save lives.

Risk factors for testicular cancer include:

Having an undescended testicle – a testicle that did not drop down from inside the abdomen before birth
Having testicles that form in an abnormal way
Being Caucasian
Having a personal or family history of testicular cancer

Heart Disease

A man’s risk of heart disease starts to increase at the age of 45. However, taking the following steps can reduce your risk of heart disease:

Don’t smoke or use other tobacco products
Get your blood pressure checked at least every two years
Get your cholesterol tested
Eat a heart-healthy diet. Eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and foods that are high in fibre. Limit foods high in saturated far, cholesterol, trans fat, and sodium.
Maintain a healthy weight
Limit alcohol intake
Exercise
Control your diabetes, if you have it.

Hypertension

One in five people (both males and females) have high blood pressure (around 10 million in the UK). One of the big issues with high blood pressure is that it does not cause any symptoms but can lead to very serious complications such as strokes, heart attacks, atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), kidney issues, and eye damage. Thankfully many lifestyle choices can reduce risk:

Exercise (minimum of 20 minutes per session, 3 times a week which causes some breathlessness)
Not smoking
Keeping your BMI below 25
Avoiding salt in your diet
Reducing your stress levels
Reducing your intake of alcohol

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is one of the body’s fats (lipids). Cholesterol and another lipid, triglyceride, are important building blocks in the structure of cells and are also used in making hormones and producing energy. Having too much cholesterol in the blood itself is not a disease but can lead to hardening and narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) in the major vascular systems. Again many lifestyle factors can help with this including: