"Defying the 'I'll Do It Later' Syndrome: A Light-hearted Tackle on Men's Health Week"

We find ourselves halfway through Men's Health Month, and in the middle of Men's Health Week, and guess what? The reality is that many men haven't even heard about these initiatives or stopped to take time to reflect on their own health lately, probably that of their fathers, brothers, or sons, let alone their mates. The other sad reality is that most of us are too busy to or simply don’t care about things like Men’s Health Week. Fair enough, I get it! I didn’t either until one of my close mates that I worked with out in the mines for 5 years died unexpectedly.

We resided side by side in a camp located in Western Australia for the final 12 months of his life. Unbeknownst to either of us, he was actually battling an illness. I began to notice a significant drop in his weight, which he attributed to the stress of our job. I admired how he soldiered on, dealing with the pressure like a true Australian digger. Unfortunately, he had an un-diagnosed form of cancer that could have been treated had he undergone regular treatment & check-ups. The fitness tests required for our work did not encompass screenings for such conditions. The memories of those times will forever remain etched in my mind, serving as a perpetual reminder.

Did you know that men are 24% less likely than women to have visited a doctor in the past year? That's right, Lads. We're dodging check-ups the same way we avoid expressing emotions! But lurking in the shadows of our avoidance are some terrifying consequences. Men face a higher risk of developing serious conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, with alarmingly lower survival rates. It might be time to face these truths head-on.

Picture this: in Europe alone, over 300,000 men die prematurely each year from conditions that could have been prevented. That's like an entire stadium full of lives cut short, disappearing into the darkness of denial. Expressed in Australia as “She’ll be right, mate. I’ll get a check-up next time; I bloody hate the quacks”.

That’s a disturbing fact, but it’s a reality, an unnecessary one, though.

Lads, it's time to swap the embarrassment of asking for help, for the pride of taking control of your health. Yes, that's right. No more brushing aside symptoms or burying health concerns under the pretext of 'bravery' or 'manning up'. That's not toughness; it's recklessness, and it's risking your life and the health of your family and loved ones. You cannot take care of anyone if you’re not in good shape yourself or worse.

Let's debunk some health myths together and bring light to the darkness. Did you know that prostate cancer, largely a men's disease, is expected to become the third most common cancer worldwide by 2030? Early detection is key to fighting this, and regular screenings can make all the difference. "It's just a finger, lads common". Similarly, heart disease, often labelled as a silent killer, shows no symptoms until it's too late. Don't let silence be your downfall, fellas. Speak up, get checked, and know your numbers.

And it's not just about physical health. Mental health matters equally, if not more, these days, it seems. Sadly, men are less likely to seek help for mental health issues, with male suicide rates alarmingly high globally. It's time to break the stigma. It's okay to feel, it's okay to express, and it's certainly okay to seek help. "Remember, it's not weak to speak".

But hey, it's not all doom and gloom! Let's celebrate the small victories, too. Every step towards a healthier lifestyle, every scheduled doctor's visit, every shared concern with a mate - it's all a win, lads. Every little effort counts. I am happy to say I have an increasing number of mates making healthy changes and getting regular checks. Remember, your health is worth a lot more than you realise, trust me.?