When it comes to health, men are more likely to ignore the signs of ill health and carry on as normal. Whether it’s pushing through the pain, ignoring symptoms and hoping they go away or not putting themselves first. But being proactive and focusing on preventing signs and symptoms from worsening means a healthy mind and body. Because looking after your health isn’t a weakness, it’s one of the most important things you can do for yourself and for your loved ones.
Men’s Health Week 2026
Men’s Health Week shines a light on identifying the health issues that affect men, how they can become aware of the health problems they may encounter and how to seek out help. Running from the 15th - 21st June, the theme for this year’s Men’s Health Week is taking small and manageable actions that lead to lasting change. We can do this by reducing the stigma around men’s health issues, which is one step closer to empowering men to take responsibility for their health and seek help when needed.
Why We Need to Talk About Men’s Health
In a fast-paced society where there are heavy demands, pressures and responsibilities, taking care of one’s health becomes harder and harder. In general, men find it difficult to ask for help, especially when it comes to their health - and in some cases, this makes things worse. Which is why we need to talk more about men’s health and encourage men to speak out when they’re struggling.
Did you know that in the UK, one in five men dies before the age of 65? It’s a hard statistic to swallow, but what’s even more tragic is that with early detection and prevention, many of these deaths can be avoided.
The most common causes of death in men are heart disease, cancer and sadly, suicide. Around 75% of premature deaths from coronary heart disease are male, who are also 37% more likely to die from cancer. But the biggest cause of death for men under 35 is suicide, now with a sudden increase in suicide rates in men aged 34-64.
Unfortunately, these aren’t just statistics, but they’re real people. Fathers, sons, brothers, partners, friends, and colleagues. They’re people who could have reached out for help or had more open conversations about their health worries.
The Biggest Health Risks Facing Men
Many concerns affect men more than women, and they can be a combination of physical and mental well-being. Some of the most common health problems in men are:
Heart disease:
- Ischemic and coronary heart disease are amongst the most common causes of death in men, especially middle-aged to early-aged males. Poor lifestyle is often linked to being the cause.
Mental health and suicide:
- Sadly, many men struggle in silence. With male stereotypes, stigma and social expectations, it can make it difficult for men to feel comfortable opening up when they need support.
Cancer:
- Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, with more than 64,000 cases in 2022 alone.
- Lung cancer is the second most common cancer for men in the UK, with over 58,000 new cases every year.
- Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer for men, with over 9,700 deaths every year.
Early detection can help reduce death rates in many of these circumstances, but it’s about having the confidence to seek help when health issues arise.
Having an unhealthy lifestyle contributes to dangerous cycles that can lead to many health issues, which could be avoided with the right awareness and health responsibility.
Research shows that men are more likely to:
- Smoke cigarettes and hand-rolled tobacco more
- Eat too much red and processed meat
- Drink excessive alcohol
- Eat too much salt
- Eat unhealthy meals
This is why Men’s Health Week is here to break those cycles. To encourage men to speak up more about their health, raise more awareness on men’s health, and normalise visiting the doctor when needed. But the first step can be just simply taking care of themselves. Because your health is so important, physical or mental – seeking help is a step closer to living a healthier life.
Signs You Should Not Ignore
When it comes to men’s health, a lot of men brush off any illness that they feel isn’t worth delving into. But sometimes, it does warrant a check-up, especially if they are: uncommon signs you haven’t experienced before, they appear out of the blue, or they affect your day-to-day life. Some of these symptoms may be:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained weight loss (or weight gain)
- Persistent fatigue
- Changes in mood or behaviour
- Lumps or unusual changes in the body
- Changes in your urine or bowel movements
These symptoms don’t always mean something serious, but it’s always wise to get them checked out, because early action can make a life-saving difference.
It’s easy to brush things off or assume these symptoms will go away on their own, but when something isn’t right, one of the most important steps is protecting your health. And that means visiting your doctor or opening up about your worries to a close one.
Why Men Don’t Seek Help
There’s no single reason why men avoid seeking help with health issues. There are a few common themes that come up time and time again:
- Being told to ‘man up’ – gender stereotypes that men should just deal with their problems are harmful
- Worrying about being judged or embarrassed for a physical exam
- Not recognising symptoms early
- Being too busy with work or family life
- Believing their symptoms are not worthy of a GP appointment
For many men, asking for help doesn’t come naturally, and many will ignore it because it doesn’t seem life-threatening enough. But early prevention is key, and delaying support makes way for smaller issues to grow into bigger ones.
Small Steps That Can Make a Big Difference
Making changes to your lifestyle to improve your health doesn’t have to be huge and overwhelming. Small steps and consistent actions are just as effective.
Men’s Health Week is about taking simple, manageable steps to better their health. They can do this by:
- Booking a GP appointment if something doesn’t feel or look right
- Opening up to someone you trust about how you’re feeling
- Making regular health checks or attending screenings
- Making small lifestyle changes, like cutting back on alcohol, eating healthier or moving more
- Learning how to slow down and take some rest when your body needs it
One small step can make a huge difference.
How You Can Support the Men Around You
You don’t have to be struggling yourself to make a difference. But being supportive of those around you can lead to open conversations. Even the simplest of conversations can be the first step in someone seeking out help.
Many men find it easier to talk when someone else starts the conversation, and these are just some ways you can support the men in your life (whether you are one, or wish to help others):
- Check in with them and ask how they’re doing
- Listen to them without judgement
- Encourage them to seek help if they need it
- Normalise conversations around health and wellbeing
- Support healthier lifestyles (whether that’s offering to move more with them or cooking nutritious meals together)
You don’t need to have all the answers but providing the support and an environment where the men in your life feel comfortable enough to open up will make a huge difference.
Support Men’s Health Week
Men’s Health Week is a reminder that change doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Encouraging open conversations, being more aware of how your body and mind are feeling, and when to seek out help can break the stigma around men’s health. Therefore, making it easier for men to put their health first, whether that’s making a doctor’s appointment, speaking to a friend or taking a moment to check in with themselves.
Men of all ages deserve to feel physically and mentally fit, and that comes from looking after their health. So, take the first step today, whether it’s looking after your own health and wellbeing, or supporting someone else. Small actions can help save lives.
Sources:
https://biobank.ndph.ox.ac.uk/~bbdatan/DeathSummaryReport.html
https://prostatecanceruk.org/about-us/news-and-views/2026/01/prostate-most-common-cancer
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/lung-cancer
https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/scale-challenge
https://www.optimahealth.co.uk/five-ways-to-encourage-men-to-seek-health-support/
