We need to talk about the big ‘C’ while the sun’s still shining, methinks. That’s why having September as Men’s Cancer Month is a spiffing idea. It’s not just about Movember and prostate cancer; there’s more you can do to prevent cancer then have the doctor stick his finger up your bottom, you know.
Blue September is a campaign that raises awareness and money for the cancers that most commonly affect men. Those are prostate, lung and bowel cancer. Depressingly, men are 60% more likely to suffer with one of the last two than women are and 70% more likely to die from them.
Woah, Nellie. That’s enough of that bad news. The good news is that you can greatly reduce the risk of getting cancer by making a few little changes to your lifestyle.
It’s not going to come as a shock to many people that stopping smoking will reduce your risk of getting lung cancer but were you aware that upping your intake of fibre could make it less likely that you’ll get bowel cancer? That means eating more wholegrain, veggies and fruit is good but eating lots of red or processed meat could increase your risk of bowel cancer.
No cancers are overly keen on healthy lifestyles so eating a balanced diet and exercising will help to keep them at bay. By the way, a balanced diet does not mean balancing your pint on the side of your pie dish. Neither does it involve standing on one leg while eating a burger. No, far less excitingly, it means eating a good variety of foods and not too much of anything.
Sounds all a bit dull and goodie goodie-like, doesn’t it? At least the exercise comes in exciting varieties. Proving ones manliness by lifting big weights is all well and good but it’s not for everyone. Fortunately, you could learn a martial art instead, or a circus skill, or take up bog snorkelling if you’re really brave. Dance classes don’t appeal to all men but it is important to remember that the male to female ratio is always going to work in your favour.
Now, it’s a touchy subject but cutting down on the booze is another help in kicking cancer into touch. No one is saying that you need to go teetotal but, maybe next time you’re out, think about whether you really need that last pint. Do you need to vomit in the gutter? Do you need to stagger home with a torn shirt and no idea how it happened? Do you need a big greasy kebab that is probably made of compacted rat and missing pet meat?
Survival rates for cancer are on the up. Hooray! One of the main reasons for this is the amazing new diagnostic technology. However, we all know that we chaps are not the best at going to see the doctor if we notice something irregular about our persons. The best technology in the world can’t spot cancer if you don’t go anywhere near it. Yes, I know it’s embarrassing but it really is worth getting anything unusual checked out. The sooner they find it, the easier it is to deal with.
Therefore, this September, let’s all gang up and give cancer what for.