Health awareness Dr Rob Hicks Men have lagged behind women in taking care of their health, although there are signs that they're beginning to catch up. If you're worried about a health matter, remember that going to the doctor is the best way to deal with it.

In this article

What holds men back? Fearing the worst

Catching it early Overcoming embarrassment

If you still can't face the doctor

When it comes to their health, men are notoriously apathetic about seeking help. Sometimes embarrassment gets in the way. Often, though, it's because of outdated attitudes such as "pull yourself together", which don't help men at all.

Another common reason why men delay seeking help is the false belief that if they ignore something, it will go away. In fact, most health problems are simply and easily treated, but the longer they're left, the less this is true. Not only is early treatment more likely to be successful, but it also means less worry and fewer sleepless nights.

Unlike women, men don't usually ask each other for advice about health problems, but they should, because it might save a lot of unnecessary worry.

Did you know...

A survey of men with urinary symptoms, which looked at the best way to help men with a condition called BPH, found that one in four men waited six months before seeking help, and almost 50 per cent waited more than a year. Nine out of ten men with symptoms adjusted their lifestyle, for example, by avoiding travelling long distances, avoiding going to the cinema or theatre and even avoiding getting into a relationship, because they were embarrassed about their urinary symptoms.

The big fear is that a symptom will turn out to be a life-threatening illness such as cancer, but most health problems are far less serious.

Take, for example, the urinary symptoms that one in three men over the age of 65 experience: getting up at night to urinate, having to urinate more frequently during the day, and feeling an urgent need to go and then passing only a weak dribble.

The most likely cause is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, which can be successfully treated.

Other common problems include a lump in the scrotum. The chances are it's not testicular cancer. But if it is, the earlier it's diagnosed, the better - 95 per cent of men survive after treatment.

Bleeding from the back passage isn't usually cancer, but it must always be checked out by a doctor because early treatment is most successful.

Women are used to talking and asking about their health

Another reason why men find it difficult to go and see the doctor is that they're frightened everyone knows why they're there. Traditionally, women are used to talking and asking about their health because they've had to go to the doctor for a variety of reasons, such as contraceptive advice and cervical screening.

Many men are pleasantly surprised when they go to their doctor's surgery. They find that there are other men in the waiting room - men who are there for a variety of reasons, such as lung problems, heart problems, joint problems and rashes.

Don't forget the pharmacist. They don't just sell condoms and can offer excellent advice if you're a man who isn't quite ready for the unexplored territory of the doctor's surgery.

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in November 2006.
First published in April 2001.