Men's Health

Information updated July 2006

Kellie Cureton
Health Promotion Development Officer - Men's Health/Alcohol
Email: kellie.cureton@liverpoolpct.nhs.uk ||| Tel: (0151) 707 1555 x 135

• Average male life expectancy in the UK is just 76 years at birth compared with 81 years for women.
• The proportion of men who are obese has more than tripled in England since 1980.
• The number of men aged 25-64 dying from chronic liver disease increased 5 fold in England between 1970 and 2000.
• The number of men with testicular cancer more than doubled in England and Wales between 1971 and 1997.
• The incidence of prostate cancer has increased by over 135% in England and Wales since 1971.
• Suicide rates for men aged 15-24 have more than doubled since 1971.

(Source Men's Health Forum 2001)

Healthy Living Tips for Men
Know your body – Have routine MOT’s with your GP, and check out your testicles so if there are any changes you can spot them early.

Drink in moderation – It is recommended that men should drink no more than 3-4 units per day and have at least two alcohol free days per week.
– A pint of strong beer or lager (3.5%) e.g. Carling Black Label, Fosters = 2 units
– 330ml ready mixed spirit (5%) e.g. Smirnoff Ice, WKD, Alcopops = 1.6 units
– 175ml glass red or white wine = 2 units

Be smoke free – Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals including tar, ammonia, arsenic and butane. Cigarette smoking can lead to cancers such as lung cancer. For help with quitting you can contact 0800 195 21 31

Watch what you eat – Eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Try not to eat too much salt, fats and sugars. Choose lean meats.

Take regular exercise – 30 minutes of moderate exercise (getting slightly out of breath and working up a bit of a sweat) on five days of the week is ideal for personal fitness levels.

Talk – Talk to someone if things are stressing you out. Problem shared... and all that!

Take time out – Take some time each week for yourself to relax and escape stress!

Testicular Cancer
Testicular Cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 20 to 34. It is important for men to be aware of the disease so that they can recognise the symptoms. If caught early there is a 96 –100% chance of a full recovery.

Possible signs of testicular cancer include:
• A painless lump or swelling in either testicle
• Change in how the testicle feels.
• Dull ache in the lower abdomen or the groin (area where the thigh meets the abdomen)
• Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum

Below is the how to carry out a fast and simple self-examination which can help you find cancer early. The best time to give your testicles a check-up is after a warm bath or shower once a month, so you can detect any changes in your testicles and get them sorted out as soon as possible!

Self Examination:
1. Place your thumbs on top of your testicle. Put your index and middle fingers under the testicle.
2. Roll the testicle between the thumbs and fingers.
3. Feel for any lumps, about the size of a pea.
4. If you find a lump, see your doctor as soon as possible.

Prostate Cancer
1 in 11 men will suffer from Prostate Cancer. Prostate cancer usually affects men 50 years and over it is rare in men under 50 but not unheard of. The prostate gland is located just under the bladder, and is about the size and shape of a walnut. The prostate secretes a fluid that contributes 20-30 percent of the total volume of seminal fluid.

It is unclear what causes Prostate Cancer but it is thought that people who have diets high in animal fats and milk products may have a higher risk of prostate cancer than those with diets which are high in green vegetables which may be protective. In its early stages prostate cancer often does not cause symptoms. But when they do occur they may include:
• Difficulty in urinating
• Delays in urinating
• Stopping and starting urinating
• A weak stream of urine
• Urinating more often than usual
• Blood in urine
• Pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips
It is important to go to see your doctor if you can identify with any of these symptoms.

Alcohol
Alcohol is a depressant drug. It slows down the activity of the brain and nervous system. Alcohol misuse can affect almost every part of the body, organs affected are: liver, digestive system, heart and circulatory system, bones, skin and muscles, brain and nervous system. Other effects can include – cancers, sexual problems, mental health problems, and development of an unborn child.

Alcohol is measured in units and one unit contains 10 millilitres of pure alcohol.
Most women can drink up to 2-3 units maximum per day without significant risks to their health. Most men can drink up to 3-4 units maximum per day without significant risks to their health.
You cannot ‘save up’ your daily units for a weekend binge drink!

Units in commonly drunk drinks:
• Half pint beer/lager (ABV 3.5%) = 1 unit
• 25ml measure of spirit (ABV 40%) = 1 unit
• One alcopop (WKD, Bacardi Breezer, etc) = 1.6 units
• One pint (568ml) of standard beer/lager (ABV 3.5%) = 2 units
• White/red wine – 175ml glass (ABV 12%) = 2 units
• One pint (568ml) of regular cider (ABV 5%) = 2.8 units

Drinkline Number – 0800 917 8282 (Free and confidential advice about sensible drinking)