MEN across the Swan Hill regional are being reminded about the importance of early preventive action to reduce their risk of cancer this Men’s Health Week.
The Cancer Council Victoria is encouraging men to keep on top of important cancer screenings and check-ups and encourage friends to do the same.
For every 100 Victorian women diagnosed with cancer, 120 Victorian men are diagnosed, according to Victorian Cancer Registry data.
The data predicts new diagnoses of almost all cancers in Victorian men to increase by 48 per cent, 10 per cent higher than the expected rise for Victorian women in the next 15 years.
Swan Hill District Health cancer care co-ordinator Emma Brown said “by finding cancer at an early stage, there is a better chance to treat”.
“The research shows us Australian men’s life expectancy is nearly five years less than women,” she said.
“We have all heard that phrase ‘prevention is the best medicine’ and this is the same for preventive health checks and cancer screening.
“Some types of cancer can be detected before any symptoms appear and screening can find cancer while it is still in its early stages.
“Not all cancers have a specific screening test so it is just as important that people know their own body and if they notice any unexplained changes that they discuss these with their GP.”
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s The Health of Australia’s Males report, released last year, showed men were less likely than women to seek health care.
Only 79 per cent of Australian men attended an appointment with a general practitioner between 2021 and 2022, compared to 88 per cent of women.
Cancer Council Victoria’s head of prevention and Adjunct Associate Professor Craig Sinclair said something as simple as speaking to a mate could potentially save a life.
“Our data shows that men are more likely to develop cancer than women,” he said.
“More men smoke and vape than women, and they are also less likely to speak to the doctor if they notice symptoms.
“Having conversations with your mates about the importance of cancer screening or speaking to a health professional can save your life.
“Cancer Council Victoria wants to encourage men to be more proactive about their own health, and that of their mates, because prevention is always better than a cure.”
The most recent Victorian Cancer Registry annual report, Cancer in Victoria 2022, showed regional Victorians were 10 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with cancer than those in major cities.
Regional men and women had higher aged-standardised rates of cancer, but between 2020 and 2022 about 6212 males in regional Victoria were diagnosed with cancer, compared to 4657 females.
Both melanoma and lung cancer were more commonly diagnosed in regional Victorians, with those living in regional areas 47 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma than those in metropolitan areas.
Men who live in regional Victoria have a higher rate of head and neck tumour diagnoses than those in urban areas, with a 33 per cent higher likelihood of these types of cancer.
Ms Brown said there were a number of ways Swan Hill District Health could assist men in reducing their risk of cancer.
“SHDH can assist men in many ways to reduce their risk of cancer by providing education and information on the risk factors to cancer,” she said.
“If people are having trouble with weight gain or need advice around healthy eating, we have dietitians who can provide advice and recommendations.
“If people need assistance with quitting smoking or limiting alcohol intake, SHDH can assist people by linking them in with appropriate programs as needed.
“Travelling to bigger treatment centres is probably the biggest barrier. Travelling for an MRI or a PET scan to get a formal diagnosis can be a real challenge for many.”
SHDH is raising funds for its new MRI machine, which would make it easier for people to receive scans locally.
Donations can be made on the SHDH website, or in person by cash or cheque at the Swan Hill hospital reception.
