Some men are not always very good at going to the Doctor with symptoms they may be concerned about, often taking the “Ostrich” approach to their health. Women are twice as likely to go to their doctor than men.
It’s important to be aware of changes to your health, and to see your GP immediately if you notice something that’s not right.” See “Five health symptoms men should not ignore”:
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/men1839/Pages/Menshealthweek.aspx
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer, though the most common cancer in young men, it is still quite rare. With 2000 new cases being diagnosed each year, this makes it the biggest cause of cancer related death in 15 – 35-year-old males. It accounts for around 70 deaths a year within the UK alone.
What to Look Out For
The most common symptom of testicular cancer is swelling or a pea- sized lump in one of the testes (balls). There is no current screening test therefore it is important that you look out for the following signs and symptoms.
- A dull ache, or sharp pain, in your testicles, or scrotum, which may come and go
- A feeling of heaviness in your scrotum
- A dull ache in your lower abdomen
- A sudden collection of fluid in your scrotum
- Fatigue, and generally feeling unwell.
Find out more by looking at the link below:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Cancer-of-the-testicle/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Prostate Cancer
Each year about 36,000 men in the UK are diagnosed with prostate cancer, making it the most common cancer in men. It mainly affects men aged over 50.
Symptoms
- difficulty in starting to pass urine
- a weak, sometimes intermittent flow of urine
- dribbling of urine before and after urinating
- a frequent or urgent need to pass urine
- rarely, blood in your urine or semen and pain when passing urine
These symptoms aren’t always caused by prostate cancer but if you have them, see your GP.
Find out more about the symptoms, causes and diagnosis of prostate cancer by looking at the link below:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer-of-the-prostate/pages/introduction.aspx
Sexual Problems
It’s estimated that one man in 10 has a problem related to having sex, such as premature ejaculation or erectile dysfunction.
Check out this link which explains more:
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/male-sexual-problems/
General Health
It’s good idea to come to the Practice Nurse for a general health check up, at least every 5 years, unless coming for regular checks anyway. This would involve getting your Blood pressure and pulse checked, your cholesterol checked, and getting weighed and asked about your lifestyle (i.e. do you smoke, how much alcohol do you take, how much exercise do you take etc). The Nurse would then be able to advise you on actions you could take to keep yourself healthy and to help prevent many common illnesses.
