MEN’S HEALTH

GLOBALLY, men die on average five years earlier than women, and for reasons that are largely preventable – which means that it doesn’t have to be that way.

A growing number of men are facing life with a prostate cancer diagnosis.

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men, and around the world, one man dies by suicide every minute of every day, with males accounting for 75 per cent of all suicides.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men and the difference between early and late detection is a matter of life and death.

The risk increases with age, so after 50, men should be talking to their doctor about PSA testing.

Movember is the leading charity dedicated to changing the face of men’s health and this month is dedicated to engaging the community in raising funds to support its projects.

Since 2003, Movember has been supporting men’s health and uniting experts to collaborate on projects that will fundamentally change the way they are treated.

Funding is prioritised for the three biggest health issues facing men – mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

To join in the vital fundraising for these projects, there are four easy ways to help in November: grow a moustache, run or walk 60km during the month, rally a crew and do something fun and easy, or come up with your own ideas that put the fun in fundraising. Sign up online.

Visit au.movember.com Blake Primrose, Jordan Barden & Scott Henshaw RAISING funds and awareness for men’s health is a job for the boys at Define Property Agents in Mooloolaba.

Jordan Barden and his work buddies Scott Henshaw and Blake Primrose are taking up the Movember challenge and are keen to get the community behind them.

“Men are dying too young, and I want to do everything in my power to know that everyone in my room – friends, family, strangers, should never feel alone,” Jordan says.

“I believe in the power of conversation and connection that Movember brings to our community.” Jordan is hoping that growing a mo “in this hairy season” will start the conversations that save lives. “I hope my mo will draw attention to men’s physical and mental health,” he says. “This is for all the dads, brothers, sons and mates in our lives!” Anyone who would like to support Jordan’s efforts can join the campaign and make a contribution at movember. com/m/14010574?mc=1

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Complimentary arrival beverage from Your Mates Brewery and delicious burger and fries from Chomp Burgers. TICKETS: $39 (18+)

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PROSTATE CANCER

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GET CHECKED TODAY IT MIGHT JUST SAVE YOUR LIFE ASK YOUR DOCTOR FOR A REFERRAL EARLY DETECTION IS VITAL

A real man won’t let pride stand between him and diagnosis

Is your skin ready for the Queensland summer?

Did you know that the Sunshine State is the skin cancer capital of the world? In Queensland, melanoma rates reach 40 per cent higher than the national average.

Every day, five Australians lose their lives to melanoma, which is sometimes barely visible to the naked eye. But 99 per cent of skin cancers are curable if detected and treated early, which is why experts recommend regular skin checks.

“A full skin cancer check is the best place to start to ensure your skin is healthy and safe,” says Professor David Wilkinson, Chief Medical Officer of National Skin Cancer Centres.

An esteemed expert in skin cancer medicine, Prof Wilkinson is a skin cancer subspecialist of nearly two decades. He is the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Macquarie University and former Dean of Medicine at The University of Queensland and has taught over 7,000 GPs how to manage skin cancer through university-assured programs by HealthCert Education. More recently, Prof Wilkinson joined the Skin Surveillance (Birtinya) and Caloundra Skin Cancer Centres to provide essential care for high-risk patients on the Sunshine Coast.

“Your Skin Cancer Doctor can provide you with peace of mind that there are no nasty surprises which could lead to serious problems if left undiagnosed and untreated.

“Early detection through regular full-body skin cancer checks is the best defence. Our mission is to detect skin cancers in the early stages to minimise complex, invasive and expensive treatments, and ultimately save lives.”

Between professional skin checks, we can look out for lesions that stand out as different from the others. Check for any sores that won’t heal, freckles that have recently developed or changed, or areas that are crusting, itching, or bleeding. If anything looks suspicious, get it checked. Skin cancer can develop very fast and become fatal, and sometimes shows no signs until an advanced stage.

Queenslanders can be at particularly high risk of skin cancer if they are over 40, male, or have a personal or family history of skin cancer. The risk is also higher for people who have experienced severe sunburn, used a solarium, worked outdoors, or have multiple moles, fair skin, or light-coloured hair or eyes.

Fortunately, a lifetime of sun exposure can be addressed before it takes a toll on our skin health. Spring is a great time to address existing skin damage and early signs of ageing.

“In addition to a skin cancer check, many of our patients who have seen too much sun over their lives benefit from skin repair and rejuvenation treatments to improve skin health and appearance,” says Prof Wilkinson.

The centres in Caloundra and Birtinya now provide skin repair and rejuvenation services for comprehensive management of patients’ skin health, including LED light therapy and cosmetic injectable treatments.

“It’s never too late to repair sun damaged skin,” says Aesthetic Nurse Rebecca.

“We see lots of patients with dehydrated or dry skin. Some are experiencing flare-ups of rosacea or acne. At this time of year, many people are thinking about getting their skin summer-ready, so they want to start a treatment regime with long-term benefits.” Prof Wilkinson is accepting new and existing patients at the centres in Birtinya (Skin Surveillance – phone 5438 8889) and Caloundra (phone 5492 6333). Learn more at skincancercentres.com.au.