Although health is the last thing on their minds, men are challenged to change this attitude during Men’s Health Month with touching stories, uplifting messages and a strong yet soft reminder that self-care is a part of being strong.
Mark, a 48-year-old, Chicago-based construction supervisor, is a case of a man not being the doctor-visiting type but being persuaded to do so during Men’s Health Month.A couple of years ago, he was single-handedly raising his two teenage daughters, the bunch of them still mourning the loss of their mother who died of cancer (2019). Even after feeling tired most of the time and experiencing some so-and-so chest pain, he pretended everything was fine and that he would get to the bottom of these symptoms someday. But a mere mention of Men’s Health Month by a colleague changed his mind and finally he got himself a doctor’s appointment. During the checkup, Mark was diagnosed with hypertension and heart disease. Left untreated, these conditions could have broken out drastically one fine day. Mark was a lucky man in many respects. His heart disease was detected in the initial stages; he was able to get timely treatment and was motivated to change his lifestyle. Besides so many other changes, Mark is taking medicine now. All these perks are reflected in great health, which in turn enables him to be lively and available to his daughters. We health professionals keep hearing the same thing from our patients’ mouths, ‘If only I had gotten this checked sooner.’ The solution is before us; rather than waiting for emergencies, let’s go for routine checkups.
Heart disease still kills more men than any other disease and yet not that many men are up to date with the annual physicals. Beyond this, prostate cancer, diabetes, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety also disproportionately affect men. It is no surprise that men are affected more since they are also the ones who report for help the least. To honor Men’s Health Month, the Movember Foundation and other not-for-profit organizations and clinics launch a series of screening campaigns and offer PSA tests, blood pressure measurements, and mental health facilities also with the help of volunteers. The whole campaign is encapsulated in the neat slogan, ‘Check Your Engine, ‘ which is representative of the attitude men should have towards their health, which is that of maintaining their car. Getting regular checkups is a great preventive measure against breaking down in the future.
The human aspect is fundamentally deeper than the numbers. The absence of father at children’s milestones, a husband being powerless to support his wife, a friend going away forever these are some of the realities which deeply wound us. The topic of mental health is also on the rise. Men are gradually apprehending that confessing to being stressed, engaging in therapy, or an open heart-to-heart with one’s comrades is perfectly fine. “Movember” mustaches and wellness programs at the workplace are just some examples of the initiatives that help in normalizing such dialogues. For example, a research conducted in the UK revealed that those males who had regular health check-ups not only experienced an improvement in their physical health but also had stronger familial relationships and less anxiety about the future.
As part of a month-long campaign on raising men’s health awareness, the concept of preventive care includes useful tips, which are in line with the ways people really live! In fact, simply doing blood tests might be able to identify potential problems related to cholesterol and chance of getting diabetes. By getting information about family medical history, it is possible, among other things, to personalize colorectal cancer screenings that are due. Communities all over the world are taking part in the campaign. The message being conveyed is men’s health is important and it is never too late to make a change. Actors and sports stars unveiling their own experiences is a good source of inspiration also reminding everyone that even the fittest among us require help and support. To those young men who are in their 20s and 30s, building and maintaining healthy habits is essential and, as for those who are older than 40, they should Mainly be focusing on getting the necessary screenings.
Being in the middle of the month, it is still going to be a good thing if the coming of action could be generated from the awareness. This is Actually a great thing to set off the positive ripple effect. Men’s Health Month is not about blaming or making people feel guilty; rather, it is about giving men power to make choices for themselves so that they may also continue to do that for the people who are dependent on them. You really should take that very first step this summer; in fact, why not make the appointment for the checkup and get that conversation going? It would be your future self and, most importantly, your loved ones, that will be grateful to you.
