She’ll be right, mate! Tackling men’s health

New Zealanders tend to have an optimistic, laid-back outlook on life. And this phrase is evidence of that. This frequently-heard term in New Zealand and Australia largely means that whatever happens to be wrong will right itself in time. And when we’re talking about a dodgy fence or a dripping tap, taking a relaxed, ‘no worries’ approach is usually fine.

But what if it's actually more serious than that?

The symptoms of testicular cancer and prostate cancer are usually obvious, but even in 2023, men are still not rushing to the doctor to get it checked out.

Sam* is 34. He noticed a lump on his right teste, but it would be three weeks before he even considered seeing his doctor.

“I’m young-ish, fit, and healthy. I go to the gym five times a week. I eat well, and I’m not particularly stressed. It didn’t hurt, and I’d been camping, so I figured it was an unfortunate insect bite or something random. After a few weeks, my partner basically forced me to the doctor, and a good thing they did because it turns out I had testicular cancer.”

“They ran a bunch of tests. An examination first, then some blood tests. I had an ultrasound, which I was nervous about, but it was fine really. After that, I got a call about my diagnosis, and two days later, I was prepping for surgery. I didn’t have to have chemo or anything like that. The surgery took care of it. But I know that’s not the case for everyone.”

How can I get involved in men’s health? 

November is National Men’s Health Awareness Month, and Movember is the leading charity tackling men’s health on a global scale.

Testicular cancer, prostate cancer, and men’s mental health are the focus of Movember. It has a goal of reducing premature death in men by 25%.

We encourage you to support Movember’s fundraising and awareness efforts with Move for Movember this month. Grab some mates together and commit to running or walking 60kms at your own pace over the month. That’s 60kms for the 60 men lost to suicide each hour, every hour across the world.

Learn more about joining the movement here.