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In the UK, one man in five will die before he reaches 65, highlighting the need for pharmacy teams to shine a spotlight on men’s health and wellbeing
Data published by the Men’s Health Forum in 2020 found that in the UK, one man in five (19 per cent) dies before the age of 65, while 40 per cent die before the age of 75. And things are getting worse instead of better: in September 2021, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported the first decline in male life expectancy since the 1980s.
Various factors are said to contribute to these shocking statistics. The Men’s Health Forum highlights that men are disproportionately affected by levels of deprivation. Comparing the lives of men in the most and least deprived areas of England, there is a 9.4 year age gap in average life expectancy and a 19 year gap in healthy life expectancy.
According to the Forum, men are also 32 per cent less likely than women to visit the doctor. Another study, commissioned by Gillette in 2018, found that three quarters of men will put off going to the doctor when they show signs of illness. A quarter say it’s because they don’t have the time, two fifths don’t consider it important to get a check-up and nearly one in five think they are healthy and therefore don’t have to worry.
Such a lack of engagement not only means that the male population’s wellbeing is at risk, but it can also result in more serious issues going untreated for longer – sometimes until it’s too late.
Prostate health
The prostate is a small gland in the pelvis and is part of the male reproductive system. As men get older, the prostate can naturally enlarge, which can lead to other issues, many of which affect the urinary tract.
Benign prostate enlargement (BPE) is a condition where the prostate has got bigger, often causing problems with urination. It is common in men aged over 50 and is not usually a serious threat to health. In fact, whilst many men worry that having an enlarged prostate means they have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer, this is not true.
What causes BPE is currently unknown, but it is believed to be linked to hormonal changes associated with age. Symptoms include difficulty starting to urinate, a frequent need to urinate and difficulty fully emptying the bladder.
Mild symptoms do not need immediate treatment, but lifestyle changes may be advised, such as:
- Drinking less alcohol
- Limiting intake of artificial sweeteners
- Exercising regularly
- Drinking less in the evening.
BPE can lead to complications such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) and acute urinary retention (AUR) – the sudden inability to pass any urine. AUR can be serious. If a customer presents with symptoms including severe lower stomach pain and swelling of the bladder that can be felt with the hands, they should be referred directly to A&E.
Whilst BPE itself does not increase cancer risk, symptoms could be an indication of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer and usually develops slowly, so some men may show no signs for many years.
Risk factors
Most cases develop in men aged 50 or older.
Prostate cancer is more common in black men and less common in Asian men.
Men with a family history of prostate cancer are at a slightly increased risk.
Recent research suggests that obesity increases the risk of prostate cancer too.
Symptoms usually affect the urethra and can include:
- An increased need to urinate
- Straining while urinating
- A feeling that the bladder has not fully emptied
- Blood in the urine or semen.
Additional signs can include back pain, loss of appetite, pain in the testicles and unintentional weight loss. Customers who come into the pharmacy experiencing any of these should be referred to the pharmacist.
Raising awareness of these symptoms amongst customers while they are healthy is important because compared with other cancers, prostate cancer has a high survival rate when diagnosed early. A pharmacy information display is a good idea as men may not want to discuss their prostate health, but they may pick up a leaflet to take away or read a poster while they wait for their prescriptions.
Cardiovascular disease
Another major cause of death in men (as well as in women), cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a term used to describe conditions that affect the heart and/or blood vessels. It includes coronary heart disease, angina, heart attack, hypertension, stroke and vascular dementia.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), three quarters of premature deaths from CVD occur in men.
Although the exact cause of CVD isn’t clear, there are lifestyle habits (risk factors) that can increase a person’s chances of developing it.
Risk factors
This can damage blood vessels.
Harmful substances in cigarettes can damage and narrow blood vessels.
This causes blood vessels to narrow and increases the risk of developing a blood clot.
High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels, make them more likely to become narrowed.
A person is considered to have a family history of CVD if their father or brother were diagnosed with CVD before the age of 55 or their mother or sister were diagnosed before the age of 65.
CVD is more common in people of south Asian and African or Caribbean heritage.
Other risk factors include age, diet and alcohol consumption. Pharmacy teams can work with male customers to help reduce their levels of risk. For example, you can direct customers towards your smoking cessation and weight management services. Displays in the pharmacy about the risks of developing CVD and the benefits of having a balanced diet and exercising regularly can also help customers to follow a healthier lifestyle.
Type 2 diabetes
Being overweight doesn’t just heighten a customer’s risk of developing CVD, it also makes it more likely that they will develop type 2 diabetes.
Men are 26 per cent more likely to develop this condition, according to Diabetes UK, and 68.5 per cent of diabetic amputations occur in men.
Diabetes UK estimates that 3.8 million people in the UK are now living with diabetes, and that 90 per cent of cases are type 2. Unlike type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune disease, type 2 is often linked to being overweight or living an inactive lifestyle.
"Being overweight starts to make the body much more resistant to insulin," says Libby Dowling, clinical advisor at Diabetes UK. "We don’t know why, but the result is that the pancreas will start to flood the body with insulin until it gives up producing any more."
In middle-aged men, prevalence of type 2 diabetes is expected to become increasingly common over the next decade. To help combat this, pharmacy teams can try to make sure that male customers are aware of the tell-tale symptoms of diabetes:
- Feeling unusually thirsty
- Urinating more than usual
- Feeling unusually tired
- Loss of muscle
- Frequent itching around the genitals
- Cuts or wounds healing more slowly
- Blurred vision
- Unexplained weight loss.
Risk factors
Men over the age of 40 and south Asian men over the age of 25 are most susceptible
You’re two to six times more likely to get type 2 diabetes if you have a parent, brother, sister or child with diabetes.
You’re more at risk of type 2 diabetes if you’re carrying extra weight, especially if this weight is around your middle.
You’re more at risk if you’ve ever had high blood pressure.
Men who are of south Asian, Chinese, African Caribbean or black African origin are also more susceptible.
Managing weight, diet and alcohol intake all play their part in preventing men from developing type 2 diabetes. Pharmacy staff can also encourage male customers to attend frequent check-ups to keep an eye on their risk levels and take early action to avert any problems.
Mental health
Men are also disproportionately affected by mental health problems. In fact, three quarters of all suicides in the UK are male and suicide is the biggest cause of male death under 50 years of age.
According to the Mental Health Foundation (MHF), in England, around one in eight men have a common mental health problem, such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Men report lower levels of life satisfaction than women and are less likely to access psychological therapies. Only 36 per cent of referrals to NHS talking therapies are for men.
Society’s expectations and traditional gender roles play an important role in the reasons why men are less likely to seek help for their mental health. Men are typically expected to be strong and in control, and this can make it hard for them to open up and talk about how they are feeling.
Whilst depression is different for everyone, men may experience certain symptoms more intensely. These include irritability, risk taking, aggression, sudden anger and an increased loss of control. Men are also more likely than women to turn to vices such as drugs or alcohol. Two thirds of alcohol-related deaths occur in men and, according to the charity Drinkaware, 8.7 per cent of men are dependent on alcohol compared to 3.3 per cent of women.
Some demographic groups are more affected by mental health problems than others. For instance, higher rates of suicide are found in gay men, war veterans, men from BAME backgrounds and those with low incomes.
If you suspect that a customer is suffering mentally, there are things that can be done to help them:
- Let them know you’re there to listen to them without judgement
- Signpost them to local services such as talking therapies or support groups, especially ones that are specifically for men
- Help them get support, if needed.
Research suggests that men will utilise help that meets their preferences and is easy to access, as well as being meaningful and engaging. For example, the Mental Health Forum recommends the organisation Men’s Shed, which provides community spaces where men can connect and chat, often over practical activities. The charity Mind also has an online directory of peer support groups in England and Wales.
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