Men who take a proactive approach to health and well-being can effectively reduce potential health risks, even as their responsibilities grow.
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness aims to empower men and boys by creating accessible, inclusive and quality health services focused on their unique needs.
This month, as we highlight mental health, prostate and testicular health, the department renews its commitment to offering services that resonate with men of all ages, from regular screenings to mental health support.
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men, with one in 19 men in South Africa affected. Globally, it ranks as the fifth leading cause of death among men. Males aged 50 and older, or those with a family history of prostate cancer are encouraged to undergo regular checkups. Proactive health checks can play a crucial role in early detection and treatment especially in young men. Simple monthly self-examinations for testicular health are also advised, allowing young men the responsibility to take charge of their health and observe any changes over time, leading to informed decisions to act early, if needed.
Men’s health isn’t only about physical wellness, it’s also about mental health. The pressures and challenges men face today can impact their mental well-being, and the stigma around discussing mental health can create barriers. Recognising this, the department integrates counselling and mental health services at its facilities. Men can access these crucial services across the Western Cape at clinics as well as at outreaches or wellness hubs that offer services like voluntary medical male circumcision, vasectomy consultations to counselling, prostate checks, and general wellness advice. Your local clinic will be able to provide more details about the services.
Men across the Western Cape are encouraged to break the cycle around health stereotypes and seek preventive care for their future and the futures of their family. The department invites all men to take charge of their health journey, from preventative checks to lifestyle support. Examples of taking charge of your health, can be as simple as starting to exercise, like Viwo Jack (pharmacist at Robertson Hospital) did, or to cut back on social media, as Baldwin Jason did.
About seven years ago Jack realised that he was picking up weight, so he decided to start jogging. He gradually jogged greater distances until he could do a 10 km and a half marathon.
This year he did his first Cape Town Marathon. “I was well prepared, but when the gun went off, I realised that I should not compare myself to anyone. Veterans and others overtook me, but I took it one kilometre at a time. That is my advice to you: make a change for yourself. One goal at a time.”
Besides the positive impact of the jogging on his weight, Jack also finds that he is more energetic and he feels overall better.
We also celebrate the changes that Jason (34) from Worcester made to take better care of himself. Jason realised he had to manage his time better so that his work responsibilities were not all consuming. He decided to delete an everyday chat application so that he avoids picking up his phone and eventually ends up doom-scrolling.
The impact? “I have time with my wife and children. I have time to read the books I bought that piled up without having been read. I should have done this a long time ago. I’m not saying that everyone should do it, but if it is at the cost of relationships, it is not worth it. Social media can be a barrier that hinders us from reaching our full potential – at work or at home,” Jason says.
