Men's Health

 She'll be right... yeah right" 

  • In New Zealand, women have consistently lived longer than men: in 2002-04 average life expectancy at birth was 77 years for males and 81.3 years for females.
  • Men have consistently utilized GP’s less frequently than women

  • In general, there is a higher rate of smoking, alcohol consumption and poor diet among men


The stats say it all. Latest statisitcs tell us that annually, over 2,900 men in New Zealand are diagnosed with prostate cancer (where previously it was 2,500) and that 670 men - fathers, brothers, sons - will die this year of prostate cancer (up from 570).

While not so prevalent, Testicular cancer is also a male specific cancer that men, especially younger men need to be aware of. Testicular cancer affects nearly 150 men a year.

There are steps we can all take to stop potentially unessecary deaths resulting from prostate cancer and testicular cancer. Both diseases are preventable. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Men - what should you do?

 

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    Take responsibility for your health
  • Having regular health check up and PSA blood check from age 40 - and a DRE prostate check from age  50 - or age 40  if you have a family history of cancer. 

 

About Prostate Cancer 
Prostate cancer is a malignant cancer of the prostate. Approximately 2,900 cases will be diagnosed this year alone in  New Zealand and it will be responsible for around 670 deaths.  It is most prevalent in men aged over 50, although it can also occur in men below this age.

There are two main stages of prostate cancer:

  • Early (localised) prostate cancer, when the cancer has been found early enough that it hasn’t spread from the prostate. 
  • Early prostate cancer rarely causes symptoms.  
  • Advanced Prostate cancer, when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body such as the bones and lymph nodes.  

Symptoms

Pain or burning when urinating

 

  • Difficulty in, or increased frequency of urinating
  • Blood in the urine or semen.

Causes 

  • Increased risk over the age of 50

  • Increased risk if there is a family history

  • People with diets high in fat and have low intake of fresh fruit and vegetable are at higher risk
  • Those of African descent are most likely to be affected of all races.
 
About Testicular Cancer: Detection is in your hands

Testicular cancer is rare and very treatable. Most men who get it are cured. 

The bad news is it is the most common cancer in younger men between 15 and 34 years in New Zealand.
 
There were 147* new cases of testicular cancer diagnosed in 2008. 

  • If you have an undescended testicle your risk of testicular cancer is higher. 

  • You also have a higher risk if your father or brother suffered from testicular cancer.
It is important to check your testicles on a regular basis: 

• Check your testicles once a month, while in the bath or shower. In this way you get to know the normal size, shape and weight of each of your testicles.
• Cradle your scrotum in both hands. Use your fingers and thumbs to examine and compare your testicles, one at a time. Small differences in size are normal. One can also be hung lower than the other.
• Testicles should feel firm and smooth without lumps or swellings. It is normal to feel a soft rubbery tube at the top and back of both testicles. This is called the epididy-mis. It carries sperm to the penis. It can be tender and it wobbles.

See your doctor if you:
• Feel a painless lump, no matter how small
• Feel a swelling in either testicle
• Feel a discomfort, heaviness or pain in a testicle or in your scrotum
• Feel a dull ache in the groin
• Notice anything that is unusual for you 

For information about prevention, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer or testicular cancer, visit the Prostate Cancer Foundation website:www.prostate.org.nz