Men's Health

Common causes of death in Australian men

• Heart disease
• Lung cancer
• Stroke
• Lung disease (e.g. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Prostate cancer
• Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
• Bowel cancer
• Blood and lymph cancer
• Diabetes
• Intentional self-harm

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Key risk factors

• Excess body weight is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer.
• Lack of physical activity is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer.
• Poor diet is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer.
• Alcohol is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke and bowel cancer and type 2 diabetes. The level of drinking that increases a man’s risk is different for each of theses diseases.
• Smoking is a risk factor for heart disease, stroke and lung cancer.
• High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
• Unhealthy cholesterol level is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
• Stress is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
• Depression is a risk factor for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Health checks for men

• Blood glucose
• Blood pressure
• Body mass index (BMI)
• Bone density
• Cholesterol
• Cardiovascular disease risk (calculator)
• Electrocardiograph (ECG)
• Eyes
• Dental
• Prostate cancer screening
• Bowel cancer screening
• Skin
• Testicles
• Waist circumference

Blood glucose

Measuring the amount of glucose in blood is the main test for diabetes. A single screening test for diabetes can help identify people at risk, who need full testing. A screening test on its own cannot accurately diagnose diabetes. Your doctor may arrange a blood glucose test after fasting overnight. A diabetes risk calculator is available at www.health.gov.au

Blood pressure

Your blood pressure should be tested at least once every 2 years. It should be tested more frequently if you have already had high blood pressure, have a family history of high blood pressure, are overweight, or smoke.

How to measure body mass index (BMI)

Measure your body weight in kilograms (W).

Measure your height in metres (H).

Your BMI is your body weight divided by the square of your height: [W] divided by [H x H]

BMI calculators are available online.

What your BMI tells you

BMI provides a rough measure of whether you are in a healthy weight range. For adults, normal BMI is between 18 and 25. A BMI less than 18 generally means a person is underweight. A BMI more than 25 generally means a person is overweight, and a BMI more than 30 means a person is obese. Standard charts that assess whether your BMI is in the healthy range are useful but are not accurate for everyone:

BMI doesn’t take into account your proportion of lean body mass. For example, body builders may have a high BMI without having increased risk of obesity-related health problems, because their weight is mostly muscle.

The healthy BMI range can differ between different ethnic groups.

Waist circumference

Waist circumference is measured around the narrowest part of your waist in centimetres. Storing fat around your abdominal organs means you have a higher risk of developing obesity-related health conditions, regardless of your body mass index (BMI). It is unhealthy to have a big waist. The risk of obesity-related health problems is higher than average for men with a waist measurement of more than 94 cm.

Bone density

Your doctor may arrange a bone density test to assess your risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

Cardiovascular disease risk calculator

Your or your doctor can calculate your individual risk of cardiovascular disease within the next 5 years using the Australian absolute cardiovascular disease risk calculator. The risk calculator uses your age, sex, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, whether you have diabetes, whether you smoke, and ECG results (if you have had this test). When you know your risk, you can talk to your doctor about how to minimise it.

Cholesterol

Men aged over 45 should have their cholesterol levels tested (blood test) at least every 5 years. Men at risk of cardiovascular disease (e.g. men with a family history of high cholesterol, heart disease or strokes, overweight men, men who smoke) should be tested more frequently.

Dental

Men should have a checkup from their dentist every year.

Electrocardiograph (ECG)

Men aged over 50 should be tested regularly (e.g. every 2–5 years). Men may need testing earlier or more often if they have a higher than average risk of heart disease (e.g. men with existing heart disease, family history of heart disease, men who are overweight, men who smoke).

Eye

Men should have an eye test by an optometrist every 2 years. Men over 60 and men who wear glasses should have an eye test every year.

Prostate cancer screening

Your doctor can explain the purpose, risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening tests.

Bowel cancer screening

Men over 50 should have a bowel cancer screening test every 1–2 years. Ask your pharmacist or doctor about where to get a bowel cancer test kit. Screening tests don’t make a final diagnosis, but identify people who need a full medical checkup, including more tests. People who have higher risk for bowel cancer should get individual advice from their doctor.

Skin

Check your skin regularly for changes. Ask someone else to check areas that are hard to see. Men at higher risk of skin cancer (e.g. men with a history of skin cancer or men who work outdoors) need an annual check by a GP or dermatologist.

Testicles

Check from time to time for lumps or thickening. Tell your doctor if you find anything unusual.

Other health problems men should talk to their doctor about

• Erectile dysfunction or other sexual problems
• Mental health concerns (e.g. depression, anxiety)
• Alcohol and drug concerns
• Smoking
• Any unusual symptoms or other concerns you might have

Smoking

Smoking harms your heart, circulation, lungs, skin, fitness, sense of taste and sense of smell. It also increases your risk of cancer.

For information and help to quit, ask your pharmacist, doctor or call the Quitline on 13 QUIT (13 78 48).

Prostate gland problems

Your prostate gland is part of your reproductive system. It is usually about the size of a walnut and is located at the base of your bladder.

The most common prostate problems are:

• enlargement of the prostate

• prostate cancer

Enlarged prostate

With age, the prostate gland often becomes enlarged or inflamed. For many men, this causes urinary problems including:

• needing to urinate more often

• feeling an urgent need to urinate

• a urine stream that is slow to start

• a lack of force to the urine flow

• dribbling urine after urinating

• a feeling of the bladder isn’t fully emptied after urinating

• a feeling of needing to go again soon after urinating.

If you have any urinary changes or problems, talk to your doctor. Sometimes, but not often, urinary problems are a symptom of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a common cause of cancer deaths in men. It is more common in men aged over 65. Prostate cancer can have no symptoms.

If there are symptoms, they can include:

• pain or burning during urination

• blood in the urine

• blood in the semen

• persistent pain in the back, hips, or pelvis

• pain during ejaculation.

These symptoms do not mean that you have prostate cancer, but should be investigated. You should tell your doctor if you have any of these. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test can help detect prostate cancer early, but it is not very accurate. High levels of PSA do not always mean a man has cancer, and some men with prostate cancer do not have abnormal levels. Your Doctor can help you to decide if PSA testing is right for you.

Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer is an uncommon cancer. It occurs mainly in young men (25– 44 years). It may cause no symptoms. If there are symptoms, these can include:

• a painless swelling or a lump in a testicle

• a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum

• any change in the size or shape of the testicle

• a feeling of unevenness

• pain or ache in the lower abdomen, the testicle or scrotum

• enlargement or tenderness of the breast area (due to changes in male hormones).

All men should regularly check their testicles for changes or lumps. If you notice any lumps or changes, talk to your doctor. Most lumps and changes are not cancer, but all need to be checked by a doctor. Most cases of testicular cancer are curable if diagnosed and treated early.

How to reduce your overall risk of cancer

Cancer Council of Australia recommends seven steps to reduce cancer risk:

1. Quit smoking. For information and help to quit, ask your pharmacist and/or call the Quitline on 13 QUIT (13 78 48).

2. Eat for health.

3. Maintain a healthy weight.

4. Be SunSmart.

5. Limit alcohol.

6. Move your body.

7. Get checked (Ask your doctor about cancer screening programs and tell your doctor about any unusual symptoms).

Source: www.cancer.org.au

Mental health

It’s OK to ask for help.

Many men are not used to thinking about their mental health or taking care of it. Your mental health is as important as your physical health.

Depression is a serious and common health condition that is unlikely to get better on its own. If it’s not treated it can hurt your family as well as yourself and can damage your relationships.

It’s normal to have days or weeks when things aren’t going well and you feel unhappy.

Everyone experiences some of the symptoms of depression from time to time – this does not necessarily mean you are depressed.

You should get help if you have unhappy feelings that last for more than 2 weeks and are stopping you from enjoying life or stopping you from wanting to take part in family life, work, or activities you used to enjoy.

If you think you might be depressed, or just want more information about mental health issues, tell your doctor or contact beyondblue: 1300 22 4636 (24-hour confidential hotline staffed by trained mental health professionals)

Beyondblue is a not-for-profit organisation supported by the Federal Government and every State and Territory Government in Australia.

If you or someone you know needs help now, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. If someone is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).

If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about someone you know, there is help available.

Keep in touch with people

Your social network is key to keeping you emotionally and mentally healthy.

Life events such as job stress, retrenchment, divorce, retirement, or the loss of relatives and other loved ones can change your social life.

Whatever stage of life you are at, keep in touch with your friends, family and community. Being involved in people’s lives can help you stay well mentally and emotionally.

The Australian Men’s Shed Association helps men get involved in their community. For more information visit: www.mensshed.org.

Hair loss

There are many reasons that you can lose your hair. Male pattern baldness affects most men as they age. Whether you go bald, and how young, depends on your genes. Medicines for hair loss are generally more effective in preventing hair loss than regrowing hair when you have already lost it. If your hair loss concerns you, ask your pharmacist or doctor for more information about the options.

Alcohol

For many of us, drinking alcohol has become an enjoyable part of everyday life. However, drinking has risks.

Drinking can damage your liver, brain and heart, and can raise your blood pressure and your risk of many cancers. Drinking also increases your risk of injury.

The more you drink, the higher your risk. If you drink:

• having no more than two standard drinks on any day reduces your risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury over a lifetime.

• having no more than four standard drinks on a single occasion reduces the risk of alcohol-related injury arising from that occasion.

For more information visit www.drinkwise.org.au.

Eat well and stay active

Healthy eating and getting enough physical activity can reduce your risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and mental health problems. It can make you feel and look better. There is no need for expensive dietary supplements and exercise programs. Keep it simple, fresh, interesting and easy.

Additional resources

www.beyondblue.org.au

www.mensshed.org

www.mensline.org.au

www.menshealthaustralia.net

www.drinkwise.org.au

www.cancer.org.au

www.health.gov.au