Men need to step up to their own health

Australian men often put off seeking medical help until it’s too late, according to St John of God Geelong Hospital’s Noel Ryan.
“One of the things I’ve learned through 20-plus years in health is that men are very slow to act on symptoms,” he said.
“Typically, men will wait until the symptoms are out of their control before they seek access to health care.”
As the nurse unit manager of the hospital’s emergency ward, Noel urges men to be more proactive in seeking help early.
“Men will often come to the emergency room with their wives who are the ones that do the talking,” he said.
“It would be a daily occurrence that someone comes in thinking their symptoms are not important or urgent.”
So Noel is urging Geelong men to get to the Men’s Mini Health Expo at St John of God next Tuesday.
Organisations including GMHBA, Australian Hearing and Geelong Rehabilitation Centre will offer free eye, ear and blood-pressure tests, along with a range of health information for Men’s Health Week.
No appointments are required for the health checks, which attracted more than 100 men in 2016.
“The health checks are a way of encouraging men to be more proactive in preventative health care,” Noel says.
“I think the variety of checks that we’re offering focuses in on some key areas.
“Eyes, ears and blood pressure aren’t something that people are going to notice, these are things that are less obvious.”
The 46-year-old father of three admits even he forgets to check his health annually.
“My wife reminds me that I’m due,” he said.
Men’s Health Week is vital to preventative health, especially with Australia’s aging population, Noel said.
“Men’s health issues don’t get promoted enough. It’s important that every man establishes a good relationship with their GP and isn’t afraid to seek help if they’re unwell.”