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Top ten threats to men's health

They cause more than 60 per cent of all men's deaths in the UK. Find out what you can do to protect yourself


For the weaker sex, British women do pretty well. Men die sooner, they're 70 per cent more likely to die from cancers that affect both sexes and 60 per cent more likely to develop them in the first place. Why is this? Is it down to genes?

We don't think so. If you look at the top ten health threats to men living in the UK, you'll find that many can be prevented.

Some can even be stopped in their tracks if you know the warning signs, have a few tests done by your GP and make some lifestyle changes.

Heart disease

The number one threat to men’s health in the UK is heart disease, killing over 50,000 men annually - one in five of all male deaths. Sadly, most are preventable.

What you can do about it
You're at risk if you are over 40, overweight, have high blood pressure and cholesterol, are a smoker, are diabetic or have a family history of heart disease. See your GP for advice and try to modify your lifestyle: Quit smoking, improve your diet to include fruit, vegetables and fibre, avoid foods containing saturated and trans fats, limit your alcohol intake, try to maintain a healthy weight, and incorporate some exercise into your routine.

Stroke

In 2007, over 20,000 men died of stroke. Strokes cause more death in men than any single cancer and are the leading cause of disability in the UK. Around half a million people in England alone have some form of disability because of stroke.

What you can do about it
Most people think of strokes affecting only the elderly, but anyone can get one. Strokes are more common in men than women and the vast majority occur in people over the age of 45. You are more at risk of a stroke if you have high blood pressure and cholesterol, smoke, drink to excess, are overweight, diabetic, already have heart disease or have previously had a heart attack. To reduce your risk, have your GP check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, maintain a healthy weight, stop smoking, cut back on salt in your food and limit your alcohol intake.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer of men in the UK, with around 16,000 men dying from it every year.

What you can do about it
Smoking causes 90 per cent of lung cancer cases, though a family history of the disease, exposure to radon gas, air pollution, second-hand smoke and chemicals like asbestos can also cause it. The symptoms of lung cancer can include a persistent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing up blood, chest pain, weight loss and fatigue. To prevent lung cancer, stop smoking, Doing so will also reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a group of chronic lung diseases which include chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and annually cause the death of between 12,000 and 13,000 men in the UK. Eight out of ten cases are caused by smoking. An estimated three million people in the UK have COPD, but only 900,000 are diagnosed, probably because many ignore the symptoms.

What you can do about it
The early signs of COPD include cough, phlegm and shortness of breath - if have been or are a smoker, and have these symptoms, you should see your GP. COPD can't be cured, but it can be slowed down by medication. The best way to prevent COPD is to stop smoking. Stopping smoking will reduce your risk and help improve your symptoms if you have COPD.

Influenza and pneumonia

Influenza, pneumonia and bronchitis are all infections of the lower respiratory tract which kill, on average, over 10,000 men every year.

What you can do about it
Pneumonia is caused by a number of different bacteria and viruses. Although anyone can be infected, smokers, people with weakened immune systems, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions are more at risk. Both diseases are most common during the winter months. You can get vaccinated for the influenza, as well as against pneumonia. Make sure you keep your hands clean, as they are often in contact with germs. Don't smoke as it raises your risk of infection. Eat a healthy balanced diet and try to get some exercise, even in the winter months. This helps to keep your immune system healthy.

Prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cause of cancer in men. Each year approximately 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and around 10,200 die from it, yet a recent survey found that 60 per cent of men were unaware of the symptoms.

What you can do about it
Over 70 per cent of new cases occur in men over the age of 65, and having a close family member who has had the disease makes it more likely you will get it too. Early symptoms may include the need to urinate often, passing urine slowly, discomfort while urinating, blood in urine or semen, pain or stiffness in back, hips or pelvis and difficulty in having an erection.

If you have any of these symptoms, see your GP. There is no one way to prevent prostate cancer. However, eating a healthy balanced diet, rich in fruit, vegetables and fibre is associated with a lower risk of many cancers. Cutting back on red meat and saturated fat and drinking alcohol in moderation may also reduce your risk.

Bowel cancer

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in men and each year over 20,000 men are diagnosed with the disease in the UK and around 8,500 die from it.

What you can do about it
If caught early enough, it is one of the most treatable of cancers, with 90 per cent of those diagnosed living for more than 5 years. It tends to occur in people over the age of 60 and its risk factors include a family history of the disease, having diabetes, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, a poor diet, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption and being inactive. Symptoms might include bleeding from the bottom, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain and tiredness.

Liver disease

In 2008 there were 4,764 deaths in England and Wales due to alcoholic liver disease. Three-quarters were men. Alcoholic liver disease is a group of illnesses which develop when the liver becomes damaged due to heavy drinking including fatty liver, hepatitis and cirrhosis.

What you can do about it
It's a fatal mistake to think that binge drinkers are most at risk from liver disease. People most at risk are those who drink over the limit on a regular basis over the years. Alcoholic liver disease does not usually cause any symptoms until the liver has been seriously damaged. When this happens, alcoholic liver disease can cause nausea, weight loss and eyes and skin turning yellow.

The best way to prevent alcohol related liver disease is not to drink alcohol, or to stick to the recommended daily limits. For men this means drinking no more than three to four units a day. One unit of alcohol is equal to about half a pint of normal strength lager, a small glass of wine or a pub measure (25ml) of spirits.

Alzheimer's

Nervous system disorders account for 5 per cent of all male deaths in the UK. Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are responsible for around half of this figure, at just over 5,000 deaths per year.

What you can do about it
The early signs of dementia include an inability to recall recent events, failure to recognize familiar faces and names, general confusion about everyday matters, language problems and mood and behavior problems. Age is the biggest risk factor for dementia, with about one in 14 people over the age of 65 and one in six people over 80 has some type of dementia.

There is no way to prevent dementia, but generally speaking maintaining a healthy lifestyle - exercising, not smoking, keeping socially and mentally active - can help protect against both mental and physical decline.

Accidents

Accidents are the 10th biggest killer of UK men. This does not include deaths from transport related accidents, which adds a further 2,000 deaths to the 3,700 total. Four out of every ten accidental deaths are caused by falls. Drug related deaths account for another 12 per cent of accidental deaths in men, with choking and suffocating causing another per cent.

What you can do about it
Most accidents occur in the home. If you are in an accident, or are witness to one, the first thing to do is to remove yourself from any immediate danger. Call the emergency services on 999 to get professional help. Get basic first aid training for yourself and all members of your family.

Ensure that fire alarms are fitted and working. Check them regularly. Avoid walking in slippery or icy conditions, especially if you are older. Try to exercise regularly, and make sure that you have your eyesight checked regularly. Ensure that your home is free of obstacles that may trip you up.