International Mens day is Sunday November 19th. Despite Honeycomb Health having a female heavy workforce that doesn’t mean we don’t do mens health! Welcome to Movember, the month dedicated to raising awareness about men’s health. So let’s discuss two of the big men’s health issues of today – prostate cancer and mental health.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting people with a prostate gland over 45 years of ageii.
So, what is your prostate gland and when should you start thinking about screening for prostate cancer?
The prostate gland is a walnut sized gland that sits just under your bladder and wraps around the urethra, or tube, that empties your bladder (ideally when it is sociably acceptable to do so). The prostate gland produces the fluid secretions that support and nourish the sperm. Part of this fluid is made up of PSA, or prostate specific antigen, which is what doctors can measure in a simple blood test to try and detect prostate cancer. As you get older, your prostate gland will grow, which means the PSA level will also naturally go up, however, the pattern of this growth can be a way to help detect prostate cancer.
Doctors will also look at whether you have any risk factors that may place you at increased risk of developing prostate cancer, because early detection is the key to preventing complications. These risk factors will also influence the age you should consider screening for prostate cancer, and include:
- Increasing age – similar to bowel cancer, start thinking about having the conversation with your GP around the age of 50;
- Family history of prostate cancer, particularly in brother, father or uncle, consider screening from the age of 40;
- Strong family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer, consider screening from the age of 40; and
- Male persons of colour or with African ancestry, should also consider screening from the age of 40i
Mental Health
Are u ok?
Have you noticed a mate who’s not been themselves lately? Perhaps they’ve been more irritable, more withdrawn from social situations, struggling with work, or feeling tired more often. These can all be signs of depression or anxiety. On average, 1 in 8 men will experience depression and 1 in 5 will experience anxiety at some stage in their life. Worse though is that men make up an average of 7 out of 9 suicides every single day in Australiaii. The team at Honeycomb Health encourage everyone to look out for one another and talk about mental health to help remove the cultural, professional and personal stigmatisation associated with it. A simple conversation can literally save a life.
The causes of depression are complex, involving an interplay between social, biological and psychological factors. It can affect anyone. The good news is that we can help. Treatment may include talk-therapy, exercise or lifestyle changes, psychotherapy or medication. Therapy is a wonderful tool that looks at teaching you new ways of thinking, and how to change any habits that contribute to depression, on the other hand medication changes how the brain produces or uses certain chemicals involved in mood and stress. There are a range of options available, in combination or alone, the point is there is many avenues to explore, you simply have to take the first step.
If you would like to talk more about your mental health, prostate cancer and screening, or anything else on your mind please book in to see one of our doctors at Honeycomb Health via our contact page, we are here to listen and help. More information on these and other men’s health topics, can be found on the Healthy Male website.
Telephone or online mental health resources can often be effective, especially if you aren’t able to access a health service, or find talking to someone face-to-face difficult. We have also provided resources below should you or anyone you know need them:
If you are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for immediate support.
Lifeline for anyone having a personal crisis — call 13 11 14 or chat online
MensLine Australia is an online counselling and forum for men — call 1300 78 99 78
Dads In Distress is a peer support for separated dads — call 1300 853 437
Head to Health — for advice and to get connected to local mental health services, you can call 1800 595 212.
Mens Shed – A huge range of support, socialization, programs and opportunities to engage with likeminded individuals. Call them on 1300 550 009.
Beyond Blue has health resources specifically designed for men — call 1300 22 4636
MoodGYM is a free online cognitive behaviour therapy program.
Qlife – If you are experiencing mental health issues related to your sexuality or gender identity (LGBTIQA+), Qlife provides a counselling and referral service for LGBTIQA+ people.
i Prostate cancer. Know your risk. Take action. – Movember
iiMen – Beyond Blue
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