Many men aren’t that great at talking about their health and seeking medical help when something isn’t quite right.

Encouraging men to keep a check on their health and open up about any problems they may have is a key message in Men’s Health Awareness Month, but it stands throughout the rest of the year.

Many health conditions commonly affect men and have a significant impact on overall wellbeing:

• Cardiovascular disease affects around 7.6 million people in the UK, including over 4 million men.(1)

• Prostate cancer often presents in men over the age of 50 and is the most common cancer in males. Approximately 63,000 new cases a year are diagnosed in the UK, and Black men are more likely to get prostate cancer than men from other ethnic groups. Family history of prostate cancer also increases risk.(2)

• Around 2,400 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer in the UK each year.(3) Younger men, those in their early 30s, are more likely to be affected.(3)

• Mental health and wellbeing are also key areas of men’s health to raise awareness about. Almost 75% (three in four) of all suicides are male, with men aged 40–49 having the highest suicide rates in the UK.(4,5) Around one in eight men in England will experience a mental health issue such as anxiety, depression, panic disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).(6) Male suicide prevention and encouraging men to speak out about their mental health are key areas of focus across many men’s health awareness campaigns.

It is important to recognise and treat these conditions as early as possible. Data indicates, however, that men can find it difficult to seek help or advice.

The ONS Health Insight Survey commissioned by NHS England shows that 45.8% of women compared to just 33.5% of men will attempt to make contact with their GP practice for themselves or someone else in their household.(7) This increases further between men and women in more deprived areas.(8) Men are less likely to be registered with a dental practice or use a pharmacy. And they use considerably less hospital outpatient appointments (this excludes pregnancy-related appointments).(9)

There are a range of reasons why men put off or avoid seeking medical help. Barriers to seeking help include traditional views on masculinity and concerns that they may have a major health issue. (10)

Data from a 2023 YouGov Survey for Men’s Health Week highlighted some key reasons men avoid GP visits (11):

For many men, there is stigma around vulnerability and opening up about their health and wellbeing; the poll also found that 14% of men report ‘being a man who toughs it out’.

As healthcare professionals, many of us may have experienced some of these issues when managing male patients or clients. The good news is that there are positive ways to support men when consulting with them.

1. Men shouldn’t talk about their health – ‘I should man up’ / ‘Boys don’t cry’. This long-standing stereotype or expectation is one that many men have lived with since childhood.

• Recognise that there is no right way to be a man. Challenge outdated stereotypes.

• Men are all different and deal with health problems differently.

• Emphasise that the consultation is a safe space to discuss health issues.

• Encourage talking with male friends and family members by way of opening up and discussing an issue in a safe space.

• Support men to feel comfortable with getting help when they need it.

2. It’ll get better by itself – ‘If I ignore it, it’ll go away’. This may be a reflection of just wanting to wait and see if things get better or worse. However, research shows that men do this a lot more than women, with one study finding that 58% of men have ignored a medical problem, hoping that it’ll go away by itself. (12)

• Provide reassurance that attending appointments is the right thing to do and accessing support is a positive step.

• Discuss any fears or anxieties if the patient or client is willing to.

• Explain that accessing care means there’s no need to suffer in silence, and it will help to avoid further health issues developing.

3. I’m wasting their time – ‘There are others to treat with more serious conditions than mine’. It’s common for men and women to feel concerned or guilty for accessing healthcare services, as they may perceive their problems to be ‘unworthy’ of a clinician’s attention. If symptoms aren’t worsening or impeding day-to-day life, there may be further reluctance to book an appointment or request a referral.

• Provide reassurance that accessing healthcare when needed is ok – the purpose of healthcare is to treat health problems.

• Address any guilty feelings about accessing services and encourage attendance and contact where required. Accessing healthcare when needed with a legitimate health problem is not a ‘drain on public funds’.

• Explain that most healthcare professionals will not consider the wider cost implications of a patient or client visit.

4. I don’t have the time – ‘I’m too busy’. Life gets busy! And it can be challenging to juggle work, family and other life admin. We all experience this at some point or another. Men may express this as a barrier to addressing a health issue. However, as the old saying goes: ‘make time for your health or you’ll be forced to make time for your health’.

• Encourage men to make their health needs a priority.

• Encourage attendance of appointments and reviews.

• Refer to appropriate services or support groups that may benefit the patient or client and encourage them to continue to engage.

References:

1. British Heart Foundation (2025) Facts and figures. Facts and figures - Information for journalists - BHF

2. Prostate Cancer UK (2025) About prostate cancer. About prostate cancer | Prostate Cancer UK

3. Cancer UK (2025) About prostate cancer. What is testicular cancer? | Cancer Research UK

4. Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys (2025) World Suicide Prevention Day: 10 Key Facts on Male Suicide in the UK. 10 Key Facts on Male Suicide in the UK

5. Mental Health Foundation (2025) Men and mental health. Men and mental health | Mental Health Foundation

6. NHS Employers (2025) Men's health guidance. Men's health guidance | NHS Employers

7. Office for National Statistics (2025) Dataset: Experiences of NHS healthcare services in England. Experiences of NHS healthcare services in England - Office for National Statistics

8. Wang et al (2013) Do men consult less than women? An analysis of routinely collected UK general practice data Do men consult less than women? An analysis of routinely collected UK general practice data | BMJ Open

9. NHS England (2024) Hospital Outpatient Activity 2023-24. Hospital Outpatient Activity 2023-24 - NHS England Digital

10. Nuffield Health (2024) 5 reasons men avoid going to the doctor. 5 reasons men avoid going to the doctor | Nuffield Health

11. Private GP Services (2025) Getting Men to the GP: Why It Matters More Than You Think. Getting Men to the GP: Why It Matters More Than You Think

12. Bupa (2021) A quarter of men put off health issues. A quarter of men put off health issues | Bupa Group