Men urged: Take better care of your health

Men tend to avoid the doctors, even when they are not well

Unemployment and men's reluctance to go to the doctor have contributed to a big rise in the number who are dying young, say health experts.

According to a report in an Office for National Statistics bulletin, the death rate is falling generally in England and Wales, but men aged 35 to 39 are bucking the trend.

Between 1997 and 1998, death rates rose by 7.5% for men in this age group.

The Men's Health Forum says the reason is the changing role of men, the rise in unemployment and the fact that men are reluctant to go to the doctor.

It launched a report earlier this week outlining the problems for men in general.

Steve Jamieson of the forum says men in their late 30s are particularly affected.

Cancer

He says two of the main reasons for the rise in deaths are suicide and cancer.

This Morning was the first TV programme to show a testicular cancer check

He states that there has been an increase in recent years in prostate and testicular cancer.

The peak age for testicular cancer is 19 to 31.

"Both are treatable conditions, but many men do not go to their GPs early enough," he said.

"By the time they go to their GP they may be in the latter stages of cancer when they will need radical treatment or will receive a very poor prognosis."

In a study of one school, the forum found that, while girls were taught about menstruation, cervical cancer and how to examine their breasts, boys were sent out to play football.

"Lots of young men do not know how to examine themselves for testicular cancer and many do not even know where their prostate gland is," said Mr Jamieson.

The forum recently received a call from one man who had found a lump in his testicle.

He said his GP was embarrassed to examine him.

Mr Jamieson said health workers needed to be educated better in how to approach men and make services more accessible to them.

Suicide

Another cause of high early death rates among men is suicide.

The Men's Health Forum say this is a result of unemployment, drug and alcohol misuse and stress at work as well as the fact that men do not generally go to the doctor when they feel down.

"Unemployment is a major concern," said Mr Jamieson. "It has a knock-on effect on self-esteem. Men are supposed to be the providers and they find their role has changed."

He added that unemployment also brought social deprivation and the health risks associated with that.

The Samaritans say suicide is highest among men under 25, where the rate has tripled in the last 10 years.

But a spokeswoman said suicides were also high in the 35 to 39 age group.

She added that 75% of suicides were men.

"We are aware that big dates like 30th and 40th birthdays are vulnerable periods and some people go through a very tough time then.

"The reasons people attempt suicide are very complex, but it is thought that the changing role of men, the fact that many are working longer hours, unemployment and the fact that women are replacing traditional male roles in the workplace contribute to a build-up of pressure," she said.

The Samaritans have been involved in campaigns to encourage men to be more open about their feelings.

It has also been working with the Men's Health Forum which is calling for a mass education campaign which would begin in primary schools.

Steve Jamieson said there was very little information on health available to men and the magazines that did exist tended to concentrate on 'lifestyle' issues, such as having a six-pack, and were expensive.

The forum also wants to see an increase in outreach work so that GPs and primary care nurses come to men if they will not access them.