NOVEMBER is Men’s Health Awareness Month, which aims to increase understanding of the health issues facing men and encourage men to take their health seriously.
Men’s Health Awareness Month highlights the ongoing disparities in men’s health, focusing on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.
Suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 45 and is responsible for the death of one man every two hours.
One in eight men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime, and this risk is massively increased by factors such as age, ethnicity and genetics. Black men have double the risk of developing prostate cancer and for men over 50 the risk is even higher.
Despite these alarming statistics, men are far less likely than women to prioritize their health or seek early medical attention.
Local MP, Mel Stride, met with men’s health charities Prostate Cancer UK and Andy’s Man Club in Parliament this week to discuss the work they do to raise awareness of and support men who struggle with health issues.
Mel Stride, MP for Central Devon and Shadow Chancellor, said: “There is still a stigma surrounding discussion about men’s health, which can make it difficult for to seek help and means that awareness of men’s health issues is far lower than it should be.
“It was great to have the opportunity to discuss this with representatives from Prostate Cancer UK and Andy’s Man Club.
“I was pleased to learn that Andy’s Man Club suicide prevention charity will be opening an Okehampton branch within my constituency next month. I look forward to supporting them in their mission to assist men struggling with mental health issues.”
