Some employers, and most local community health projects, are taking steps to raise health awareness among male workers.
These are 2 examples:
Workplace health programmes – one employer has achieved a high take-up of workplace health initiatives among their mainly male workforce through a well-publicised wellness-at-work scheme. First of all, the employer carried out a voluntary health survey of the workforce, which revealed that cancer and ischaemic heart disease (inadequate blood supply to the heart) were the two biggest health risks.
The wellness programme took account of this finding, so that employees are now given a twice-yearly personal health assessment, undertaken by a fully qualified nurse. Tests last around 2 hours, during which employees complete a general health questionnaire covering stress, alcohol intake, diet and physical activity. Measurements include blood cholesterol, urinalysis and blood pressure. Further tests include flexibility and a computer-based fitness test. The session ends with a discussion on advisable lifestyle changes and individual responsibilities, with a GP referral if advisable. The health scheme also includes smoking cessation and subsidised access to local leisure facilities.
Tackling obesity – almost a fifth of adult males are obese. As a chronic condition, obesity requires lifelong treatment, similar to diabetes or hypertension. Some occupational health specialists now ask about waistline measurements as a routine part of their employee health assessments. Waist is as important a measure as weight. One health specialist suggests that ‘anyone with a waistline exceeding 102 centimetres should be considering lifestyle changes’, such as diet and physical exercise.
Trade unions have also taken action. Communications workers' union CWU safety reps used prostate cancer awareness month to get the 'If in doubt - get it checked out!' message across to male workers. Prostate cancer accounts for almost a quarter of male cancer cases and every year nearly 35,000 men are diagnosed and more than 10,000 die from the disease.
But if it is found early and treated the chances of survival are excellent. The reps stressed the the importance of being aware of the symptoms and seeing a GP as early as possible. Slowing of the urinary stream and/or urinating more frequently than usual, often at night, are the most common symptoms of early prostate cancer.
The CWU urged its branches, regional health and safety forums, health and safety and other reps to take part in the campaign. It circulated fact sheets to branches and directed them to the website (www.hiddencancer.org.uk) for more information about how they could get involved in the campaign.
