Dr C’s check-up

DR CHRISTIAN GIVES HIS TAKE ON THE HOT HEALTH TOPICS OF THE WEEK

Men are notorious for dodging the doc, but male cancers are increasing. Dr C says we need to encourage them to spot signs

oo many men T aren’t facing up to prostate cancer, and the disease is set to become more common than breast cancer by the end of the next decade. If your man has symptoms, he needs to get them checked, but nine in ten men aren’t even sure what they are. Symptoms include having to keep rushing to the loo, difficulty starting to pee, weak flow and not being able to empty your bladder.

Deaths from prostate cancer have increased by a fifth since the early ’70s, and cases start to rise sharply after age 45. It’s the most common cancer in men over 50. Mostly they’ll have Benign Prostate Enlargement, which isn’t serious, but they need to check, rather than shrugging it off. Sadly, radio presenter Bill Turnbull is a good example of that. He recently revealed that he has prostate cancer, and he admitted that he was cross with himself because he’d proudly avoided the GP for years, only seeking help once painkillers no longer helped, by which time his cancer had spread.

KNOW WHAT’S NORMAL

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among men aged 25-49, so persuade your man to check his testicles. And, across all men, heart disease is the leading cause of death. You may assume your man would recognise a heart problem, but if his symptoms aren’t classic – a tightness in the chest – he may not. Other symptoms include neck, jaw, back or shoulder pain, tummy troubles, swollen ankles, legs and feet, palpitations, lightheadedness or even flu-like symptoms.

STOP AVOIDING US!

On average, men go to their GP half as often as women, and there isn’t a good screening test for prostate cancer, so we rely on men to tell us when something doesn’t feel right. We’re told men dodge the GP because of stoicism, but I think it’s often the opposite – they are scared of bad news. That’s why they need encouragement.

DON’T IGNORE CHANGES

Men should always see a GP for a lump on their testicle, a change in the colour or shape of a mole, depressive feelings – suicide is the biggest killer of men under 40 – trouble urinating, or impotence that lasts for several weeks, because it can be a sign of something serious, like heart disease. Be reassuring, offer to go with him, suggest a check-up for the whole family, or show him this article! He can also do a health check online at www. nhs.uk/oneyou. Let’s stop the doctor dodging!

‘HELP MEN TAKE THEIR HEALTH MORE SERIOUSLY’