Dear men, ditch the 'tough guy attitude' and be proactive as women in matters health

Dear men, ditch the 'tough guy attitude' and be proactive as women in matters health (Photo: iStock)

Men's health is in many ways linked to women's health. Women mostly live longer than men, partly due to biology but also due to avoidable factors. Several things work against men. They tend to smoke and drink more, and they don't seek medical help as often as women. Men are more likely to make unhealthy or risky choices and put off regular check-ups. And some men define themselves by their careers, which can add to stress-related diseases.

Men are uniquely predisposed to some health conditions, mainly related to the male-specific hormone called testosterone. These include some cardio-metabolic conditions, on top of men's unique sex organ-specific diseases. But many of the major health risks that men face can be spotted early, only if men were as proactive as women in matters of health. Early diagnosis of most conditions is usually a life-saving opportunity, or at the very least life-prolonging.