Statistics show that men are less likely than women to seek healthcare. Culturally, men are expected to be strong and rarely show signs of weakness and our socially-driven mindset trains men to believe that going to the doctor exhibits weakness. In a survey by the Cleveland clinic, this trend was confirmed, citing that 40 percent of men go to the doctor only when they have a serious health concern, and never go to the doctor for routine and preventative exams; see the study findings here: Cleveland Clinic 2018 MENtion It Survey. Men also tend to exhibit a fear of diagnosis; it is estimated that about 21% of men admit to avoiding visiting the doctor because they are fearful of what might be found. In an article published by Rutgers, men are also less likely to be honest with a doctor about their symptoms, which may contribute to the statistical findings that men will typically die five years younger in age than women. You can read the article here: The Tougher Men Think They Are, the Less Likely They Are to Be Honest with Doctors. These statistics are worrisome! It should not be embarrassing or emasculating to practice self-care or seek out medical help. We as a whole need to create a cultural shift and turn this trend around.

Prostate cancer -

Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer in American men. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 268,490 newly diagnosed cases of prostate cancer in the US in 2022 and about 34,500 men will succumb to it. In fact, prostate cancer is the second most deadly cancer in men; the first is lung cancer. Prostate cancer is more likely to occur in older men and non-Hispanic Black men. The average age of men at diagnosis is about 66. Prostate cancer is serious, but most men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer and treated do not die from it. It is essential to lower your risk by eating right, staying active and not smoking. Routine prostate screening exams including physical examination of the prostate, and a blood test called prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, are essential to early diagnosis. Men can, and should perform monthly testicular exams to monitor for any unusual masses, but the prostate can only be examined through a digital rectal exam due to its placement inside the body. You can read more about prostate cancer at the American Cancer Society.

Mental Health -

As societal norms dictate, men are notorious for not talking about their feelings. Again, many men feel that expression of their feelings creates vulnerability and is a sign of weakness. The American Psychological Association reports that 30.6% of men in the US have suffered from depression at some point in their lifetime. Studies have shown that men who do express their feelings verbally are less likely to express them harshly. Communication is essential to maintaining good mental health; while it may be uncomfortable at first, releasing your thoughts and feelings helps to reduce negative energy, or stress, which can so negatively impact our health. For more interesting information about men and depression please visit American Psychological Association.

Let’s try to break the stigma about self-care and expression! You are important and “recognizing and preventing men’s health problems is not just an man’s issue. Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters and sisters, men’s health is truly a family issue.” (Congressman Bill Richardson, 1994)

For more on Men’s Health, please visit Men's Health Month.