Men’s Health – these are the big ones
Diabetes
- Diabetes is New Zealand’s fastest-growing health crisis, directly affecting almost a quarter of a million people.
- Ministry of Health figures show there are over 240,000 people in New Zealand who have been diagnosed with diabetes (mostly Type 2).
- It is thought there are another 100,000 people who have it but don’t know.
- Diabetes is most common among Māori and Pacific Islanders who are three times more likely to get it as other New Zealanders.
- South Asian people are also more likely to develop diabetes.
- Diabetes more than doubles your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
- The number of people with both types of diabetes is rising – there are over 40 new diabetes diagnoses every day.
Diatetes – Are You At Risk?
- It’s believed one in four Kiwis is prediabetic, a glucose-related condition that can develop into Type 2 diabetes.
- This can be delayed or avoided with a healthy lifestyle of nutritional eating and regular exercise.
- Taking your Men’s Health Check and visiting a health professional is a great way to assess your risk of diabetes.
The risk factors Diabetes NZ suggests you look for
Diabetes New Zealand – information, advice, support
Prostate Cancer
Around 1 in 10 New Zealand men will develop prostate cancer at some stage in their lifetime.
Here’s what you should know:
- Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among New Zealand men.
- If found early, men with prostate cancer have a better chance of successful treatment
- Each year over Kiwi 4000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and approximately 700 men die from it.
- 80% of diagnoses are for men aged 60 or over.
- Prostate cancer frequently does not produce any symptoms until the condition is quite advanced; it’s often found after treatment is sought for problems with urinary function
- The incidence of prostate cancer in New Zealand is increasing.
- The causes of prostate cancer are still not fully understood.
Get tested
- There are a range of tests your doctor can arrange which can determine if you have or may be developing prostate cancer.
- These include the PSA test, physical examination and ultrasound testing. All are painless, simple and easy to get underway.
- The earlier you get on to it, the better your chances of beating prostate cancer will be.
