Mens Health

UPDATE: Dr Anthony Lowe, CEO of Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia comments “Prostate cancer is a serious health issue in Australia – 3,300 men die from prostate cancer each year – more than the number of women who die from breast cancer, which is why it is so important for men to be aware of their prostate health.  Contrary to Lauren Tracey’s statements in this article, PCFA does not advocate for population-based screening for prostate cancer.  We support the position of Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council and Cancer Council Australia which encourages men to talk to their doctor so that they can make an informed decision about prostate cancer testing.  We recommend that all men over age 50, or over age 40 with a family history of prostate cancer, talk to their doctor about testing as part of their annual health check.  We advocate that men should make an informed decision based on the latest available evidence about the benefits and potential harms of testing and treatment.”
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Movember. It’s that time of year where the lads of Australia cast that razor blade aside for 30 days and embrace that Tom Selleck look, which for those who are too young to have lived through, is an era they can only dream about for the other 11 months of the year.

For the ladies, it’s a time when we can get behind this charity event for men. With so many events directed at raising support and money for breast cancer that enjoy support from our colleagues, sporting teams and family members, it seems only right that this is the month that we all become champions for men’s health.

And on the surface, the Movember foundation supports worthy causes. Beyond Blue does great work with mental health issues, as does the Prostate Foundation of Australia. But I don’t entirely support Movember. To clarify, I specifically don’t support the Prostate Foundation of Australia’s stance on population-based screening of all men for this disease. And I am not alone.

Continue reading "That Movember mo could be doing more harm than good" »

I was one of those men who were “given the choice” - I wasn’t circumcised at birth.

As a child I suffered from a tight frenulum, which prevented the full retraction of my foreskin. While I did not suffer the nightmare of recurrent infections, it was certainly no picnic.

Due to several factors - family culture, the medical culture of the time being opposed to circumcision, etc. - it wasn’t resolved and I was forced to live with a less than perfect foreskin.

Continue reading "It took balls of steel, but I got circumcised at 18. No regrets" »