Men's Health
Face the Facts
Top 10 Health Tips
Let’s face it men are known to be more indifferent towards their health, especially when compared to the efforts of women, who proactively and publicly address their health issues in a way not traditionally seen with men. As a result, today the levels of awareness, understanding and funding for support of male health issues, like prostate cancer and depression in men, lag significantly behind women’s causes such as breast cancer.
The reasons for the poor state of men’s health in New Zealand and around the world are numerous and complex and this is primarily due to a lack of awareness of the health issues men face. This can largely be attributed to the reluctance of men openly discussing the subject due to longstanding traditions, coupled with an ‘it’ll be alright’ attitude. Men are less likely to schedule doctors’ appointments when they feel ill or for an annual physical, thereby denying them the chance of early detection and effective treatment of common diseases.
What are you scared of?
As a rule, men still access health services less frequently than women and when they do visit the doctor, they typically present late, thereby denying themselves the chance of early detection and treatment of common diseases. Recent studies show that many men don’t get regular health checks because they:
Movember aims to change the face of men’s health and reverse this way of thinking by putting a fun twist on this serious issue. Using the moustache as a catalyst, we want to bring about change and give men the opportunity and confidence to talk about their health more openly.
Movember's primary campaign objective is to raise awareness of men's health issues, specifically cancers affecting men and depression in men.
It’s not all bad news! Maintaining a good diet, smart lifestyle choices and getting regular medical check-ups and screening tests can dramatically influence your health. Regardless of age, stay on top of your game by doing the following:
HAVE AN ANNUAL PHYSICAL.
Find a doctor and make a yearly appointment each Movember for a general health check. Getting annual checkups, preventative screening tests, and immunisations are among the most important things you can do to stay healthy.
DON’T SMOKE!
If you do smoke, stop! Compared to non-smokers, men who smoke are about 23 times more likely to develop lung cancer. Smoking causes about 90% of lung cancer death in men.
BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE.
If you are not already doing some form of exercise, start small and work up to a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week.
EAT A HEART HEALTHY DIET.
Fill up with fruits, vegetables, whole grains; include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; and eat foods low in saturated fats, trans-fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.
STAY AT A HEALTHY WEIGHT.
Balance calories from foods and beverages with calories you burn off through physical activities.
MANAGE YOUR STRESS.
Stress, particularly long-term stress, can be a significant factor in the onset or worsening of ill health. Managing your stress is essential to your health and well-being and should be practiced daily.
DRINK ALCOHOL IN MODERATION.
Alcohol can be part of a healthy balanced diet, but only if it’s in moderation, which means no more than two drinks a day.
KNOW YOUR FAMILY HEALTH HISTORY.
Start a discussion with your relatives about the health issues they’ve had in the past. Be sure to learn about relatives that are deceased too.
Download Men's Health Poster to see which screening tests and procedures you should discuss with your doctor.
The average life expectancy for men is five years less than women (presently 77 years old compared to 82)
1 in 2 men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime compared to 1 in 3 women
Prostate cancer occurs mainly in men over 60, and is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in New Zealand men
Each day, 7 New Zealanders die from stroke, with a further 5, 500 strokes occurring and often resulting in disability. A third of these strokes are attributable to high blood pressure. Therefore, having your blood pressure regularly monitored is a good preventative measure
Bowel Cancer (also known as colorectal cancer) is the most common cancer in NZ. But bowel cancer is one of the most treatable and beatable cancers if caught early. Although it is most prevalent in people age 50+, men of all ages should watch out for any signs of bowel cancer
Smoking causes more deaths every year in New Zealand than road crashes, suicide, skin cancers, drowning and homicide combined. It is no secret that if you are a smoker, it increases your risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and a range of cancers and other diseases.
Depression affects one in six people at any time
1 in 10 NZ men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime. Some will need treatment and some will live with it, however don't take any chances. From age 40 get an annual prostate cancer check - starting with a simple blood test. Prostate cancer is curable if you get to it early enough
Four times as many men commit suicide compared with women
Men account for 70% of alcohol related deaths
One-third of men have not seen a doctor in the past year. 10% have not seen one for five years
Top 10 Health Tips
Quit smoking
Go easy on the booze
Maintain a healthy weight
Keep active and exercise regularly
Eat a balanced and healthy diet
Have an annual health check
Protect yourself from the sun
Practice safe sex
Enjoy family and friends and take time out for yourself
Drive safely
Let’s face it men are known to be more indifferent towards their health, especially when compared to the efforts of women, who proactively and publicly address their health issues in a way not traditionally seen with men. As a result, today the levels of awareness, understanding and funding for support of male health issues, like prostate cancer and depression in men, lag significantly behind women’s causes such as breast cancer.
The reasons for the poor state of men’s health in New Zealand and around the world are numerous and complex and this is primarily due to a lack of awareness of the health issues men face. This can largely be attributed to the reluctance of men openly discussing the subject due to longstanding traditions, coupled with an ‘it’ll be alright’ attitude. Men are less likely to schedule doctors’ appointments when they feel ill or for an annual physical, thereby denying them the chance of early detection and effective treatment of common diseases.
What are you scared of?
As a rule, men still access health services less frequently than women and when they do visit the doctor, they typically present late, thereby denying themselves the chance of early detection and treatment of common diseases. Recent studies show that many men don’t get regular health checks because they:
Fear it will lead to a hospital visit
Embarrassed to discuss their health issues
Find it too hard to see a doctor because they just can’t fit it into their schedule
Just can’t be bothered making an appointment
Statistics show that, on average, men die at a younger age than women – the average life expectancy for men is five years less than women (presently 77 compared to 82). That said, despite trailing the women’s health movement, things are beginning to change, but much more progress needs to be made to close the gap between the state of men and women’s health. Established taboos and barriers relating to men’s health are gradually being broken down.Movember aims to change the face of men’s health and reverse this way of thinking by putting a fun twist on this serious issue. Using the moustache as a catalyst, we want to bring about change and give men the opportunity and confidence to talk about their health more openly.
Movember's primary campaign objective is to raise awareness of men's health issues, specifically cancers affecting men and depression in men.
We want everyone to know that all men aged over 50 and those over 40 with a family history of prostate cancer are at risk and should be tested annually
We want every man who is dealing with depression to know it is a disease for which they can and should seek help
We want men to know that they shouldn’t wait until they are sick to see a doctor, an annual general health check-up will be the best chance for catching things early and preventing complications and side effects
It’s not all bad news! Maintaining a good diet, smart lifestyle choices and getting regular medical check-ups and screening tests can dramatically influence your health. Regardless of age, stay on top of your game by doing the following:
HAVE AN ANNUAL PHYSICAL.
Find a doctor and make a yearly appointment each Movember for a general health check. Getting annual checkups, preventative screening tests, and immunisations are among the most important things you can do to stay healthy.
DON’T SMOKE!
If you do smoke, stop! Compared to non-smokers, men who smoke are about 23 times more likely to develop lung cancer. Smoking causes about 90% of lung cancer death in men.
BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE.
If you are not already doing some form of exercise, start small and work up to a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week.
EAT A HEART HEALTHY DIET.
Fill up with fruits, vegetables, whole grains; include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; and eat foods low in saturated fats, trans-fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.
STAY AT A HEALTHY WEIGHT.
Balance calories from foods and beverages with calories you burn off through physical activities.
MANAGE YOUR STRESS.
Stress, particularly long-term stress, can be a significant factor in the onset or worsening of ill health. Managing your stress is essential to your health and well-being and should be practiced daily.
DRINK ALCOHOL IN MODERATION.
Alcohol can be part of a healthy balanced diet, but only if it’s in moderation, which means no more than two drinks a day.
KNOW YOUR FAMILY HEALTH HISTORY.
Start a discussion with your relatives about the health issues they’ve had in the past. Be sure to learn about relatives that are deceased too.
Download Men's Health Poster to see which screening tests and procedures you should discuss with your doctor.
Read up on all the latest Moustache Season news and highlights.
Grow, show and connect with your fellow Mo's.
Check out the Mo fundraising totals from around the world.
Gear up with some Movember merchandise.
Your health, your responsibility. Find out more.
© 2011 Movember Foundation. All rights reserved.