Movember is the month for focusing on men’s health issues, signalled by the growing of a moustache. Raising awareness of these issues is particularly important because traditional male gender roles include stoicism in the face of pain and a reluctance to talk about or even acknowledge medical issues or concerns for fear of seeming unmasculine, says Dr Schalk V Burger, Clinical Coach at Kena Health, a leading online healthcare app.
“Men are more likely to internalise their problems, as compared to women who are more open to sharing their issues and seeking help,” Dr Burger says. “In particular, men find it harder to seek help for mental and emotional issues, as well as sexual health. In the main, women have benefited more than men from the advances in medical care, with life expectancy for men lagging women significantly (76 versus 80 in the United States, and 59.46 versus 65 in South Africa).”
Dr Burger says that some of the critical men’s health issues that should be highlighted during Movember and beyond include:
Mental health. South Africans are particularly vulnerable to mental issues thanks to the country’s persistent socio-economic issues like unemployment. South Africa’s high suicide rates affect men disproportionately—10 861 of South Africa’s 13 774 reported suicides in 2019 were men.“One of our main aims should be to help remove the stigma attached to seeking help with mental health issues,” Dr Burger comments. “Kena Health’s app-based approach is making it easier for men to reach out to mental health professionals in a very confidential way.”
Prostate and testicular health. Prostate and testicular cancer are leading causes of male mortality, with testicular cancer rates having doubled in the last five years and prostate cancer set to affect one in 23 South African men. Men with African ancestry are more prone to both of these cancers.
Younger men are more at risk of testicular cancer and so should make physical self-examination a part of their routines; by contrast, prostate cancer affects older men, so annual PSA blood screening is recommended for men over the age of 50.
Both cancers have a reasonable cure rate, provided they are diagnosed early.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). STIs are a significant threat to men and their partners and can contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS. Men need to be educated in safe sexual practices and how to identify the symptoms. If untreated, STIs could lead to severe complications later in life.
Cardiovascular health. Cardiovascular diseases affect the heart as well as the blood vessels. They are a major cause of adverse health conditions and death and are typically affected by the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries and the increased risk of blood clots, which could lead to strokes.
Annual preventative screenings for blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol are recommended, followed by a physical examination if indicated.
“Lifestyle choices can play a huge role in preventing heart attacks and strokes, so a healthy diet with adequate exercise is something all men should prioritise,” says Dr Burger. Exercise and diet also play a role in managing other health issues, including mental health, he adds.
In addition to these priority health issues for men, he argues that a significant driver of the Movember movement should be to help build a supportive community, with networks where men can raise concerns and fears with their peers—as well as with friends and family.
“Support of the right kind is essential in helping men to overcome the mental and social barriers to taking control of their health. As important is access to quality healthcare, and that’s where technology-based innovators like Kena Health are making a huge difference, not only by reducing costs but by making it more convenient to speak to health experts in complete confidentiality from the comfort of your phone—and then to schedule physical examinations when required,” Dr Burger concludes. “Movember has a big role in setting the agenda, but it’s up to all of us to ensure that it continues across the year.”
Boilerplate;
Kena Health’s mission is to make quality healthcare and mental healthcare more affordable and accessible. The Kena Health app allows patients to consult with a doctor, nurse or mental health professional from their smartphone for only R 185 per consultation. Ranked by the Google Play store as South Africa’s lead medical app with over 300,000 downloads and a 4.7/5 user rating on the Google Play store and 4.9 on the Apple App Store. Kena Health’s patient-centred approach drives this success; technology is seamless, and all clinicians are employed directly to ensure high-quality care.
About Dr. Schalk Burger
Doctor Schalk obtained his MBChB degree from the University of Pretoria. He was a general practitioner for 18 years and was the clinical head of an orthopaedic and neurological rehabilitation unit for nine years. His special interests are in rural medicine and providing medical care for people without access to adequate healthcare throughout the continent. Dr Schalk also has a keen interest in all things tech, Pioneering telemedicine protocols at Kena Health and Healthforce. He is an AI, Bitcoin, and NFT enthusiast and how these technologies could be harnessed to create more accessible healthcare systems, proof of identity and better health outcomes.