A man may experience frequent chest pain, notice an unfamiliar change in his body, or suffer from persistent fatigue, yet he prefers to wait, believing the issue is temporary and will resolve on its own. This neglect may continue for weeks or months, until symptoms become more severe or affect his ability to carry out daily life.
This behavior does not mean all men neglect their health, but it represents a health challenge worth addressing, especially since some chronic and serious diseases can develop silently for years before clear symptoms appear.
U.S. data based on the 2024 National Health Interview Survey reveal that 87.1% of men have a regular source of healthcare, compared to 93.3% of women. While these figures do not necessarily mean men neglect their health, they indicate a gap in the consistency of accessing health services.
Movember.. A Mustache for Men’s Health
The “Movember” initiative began in Australia in 2003, when a group of men decided to grow mustaches during November to draw attention to men’s health and encourage dialogue around health issues often overlooked.
The campaign’s name comes from combining the words “mustache” (Moustache) and “November,” before the initiative gradually evolved into a global movement supporting health awareness, funding research, and specialized programs.
The campaign focuses on three key areas: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention.
But its message goes beyond simply growing mustaches or participating in awareness events; it calls for breaking the silence surrounding men’s health and establishing the idea that taking care of one’s body and mind should be part of daily life, not just a reaction when illness strikes.
Why Do Some Men Delay Visiting the Doctor?
Delaying medical care is not due to a single factor but often results from the interplay of psychological, social, cultural, and economic influences. Studies have shown that some men are influenced by traditional perceptions of masculinity, work pressures, fear of diagnosis, and embarrassment when discussing certain health issues.
A qualitative study published in 2018 in the “American Journal of Men’s Health” showed that social norms associated with masculinity, along with work pressures and the attitudes of the social environment, can influence men’s willingness to seek medical help.
In the psychological realm, a study published in 2020 in the American “Primary Care and Community Health” journal, which included 117 men with moderate depression symptoms, revealed that only 8.5% of participants were receiving specialized mental health assistance at the time of the study.
These findings suggest that the issue is not always a lack of awareness but may be linked to deeply rooted beliefs and conditions that make seeking help difficult or embarrassing for some.
The Culture of Endurance.. When Strength Turns into Silence
Some men are raised on phrases like “a man doesn’t complain,” “endure the pain,” and “don’t show weakness in front of others.” As these messages repeat, the belief may become ingrained that acknowledging illness or expressing pain contradicts the image of the strong man.
While patience and endurance are positive traits, they become a problem when they drive a person to ignore their body’s signals or refrain from seeking help.
Pain is not a sign of character weakness but a biological signal that may warn of a health issue requiring evaluation.
The World Health Organization has warned about the impact of some strict traditional perceptions associated with masculinity on health behaviors, as they can reduce men’s willingness to seek medical and mental health care.
From here, the need emerges to redefine strength; it does not mean enduring suffering in silence but making the right decision at the right time.
Fear of Diagnosis.. The Escape That Doesn’t Prevent Illness
A man may notice unusual symptoms, but he avoids visiting the doctor for fear of discovering a serious illness, such as cancer, heart disease, or diabetes.
This avoidance grants him temporary relief, as it postpones facing a possibility that worries him, but it does not change the reality happening inside his body.
The fact that a person is unaware of an illness does not mean it does not exist, and the disease may continue to progress regardless of the individual’s desire to ignore it.
In some cases, delays in diagnosis can result in missed opportunities for early treatment or the discovery of a problem after complications have occurred that could have been mitigated.
However, health awareness should not turn into scare tactics or a call for random screenings but should be based on knowing important symptoms, assessing risk factors, and seeking medical advice when needed.
Embarrassment About Private Health Issues
There are health issues some men find difficult to discuss, especially those related to sexual health, fertility, urination, and mental health.
Examples include erectile dysfunction, changes in the testicles, urinary disorders, anxiety, and depression.
The fear of embarrassment or social judgment may drive some men to hide these symptoms, resort to unreliable treatments, or delay medical consultation despite the persistence of the problem.
But these disorders are medical conditions with multiple causes and have no relation to a person’s value or masculinity.
For example, erectile dysfunction may be linked to vascular, neurological, hormonal, or psychological causes and may sometimes be an early indicator of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or atherosclerosis.
Depression and anxiety are not signs of weak will but are health conditions deserving proper evaluation and treatment.
Work and Costs.. Obstacles No Less Important
The delay of some men in visiting doctors cannot be attributed solely to fear or shame; there are practical and economic obstacles that make accessing healthcare difficult.
Long working hours, family responsibilities, difficulty taking leave, fear of losing part of income, and the high costs of consultations and tests are all reasons that may drive a man to postpone a doctor’s visit, especially if the symptoms are not severe.
These challenges increase for self-employed individuals and those in unstable jobs or without adequate health coverage.
Therefore, improving men’s health requires not only raising awareness about the importance of screening but also providing flexible appointments, facilitating access to medical services, and reducing the financial and professional burdens associated with obtaining care.
Silent Diseases That May Develop Without Symptoms
A common mistake is believing that the absence of pain or symptoms necessarily means the body is in good health.
Some diseases can develop gradually without the sufferer feeling there is a problem, and the most prominent include:
High blood pressure: It can persist for years without clear symptoms, but over time it increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease.
Type 2 diabetes: Blood sugar levels may rise gradually without clear signs, while its effects begin on blood vessels, nerves, kidneys, and eyes.
High cholesterol: It usually does not cause direct symptoms but can lead to plaque buildup in arteries and increase the risk of heart disease.
Chronic kidney disease: Kidney function may decline gradually without noticeable symptoms, especially in those with diabetes or high blood pressure.
Certain types of cancer: Tumors such as colorectal or prostate cancer may develop without clear signs in their early stages.
However, the presence of silent diseases does not mean it is necessary to perform all screenings for everyone; preventive screenings should be determined based on age, family history, health status, risk factors, and scientific evidence.
Which Screenings Does a Man Need?
A man should not wait for symptoms to appear before taking care of his health. Preventive screenings help detect some diseases and risk factors before complications arise, but their selection depends on the individual’s condition.
Some of the most notable screenings and evaluations worth discussing with a doctor include:
Blood pressure measurement: It is recommended for all adults, even in the absence of symptoms, with the frequency of measurement determined based on age and level of risk.
Diabetes screening: The 2026 guidelines of the American Diabetes Association recommend beginning diabetes and prediabetes screening at age 35, and screening may be required at a younger age in the presence of overweight and other risk factors.
Cholesterol and lipid screening: Helps assess the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially with a family history or additional risk factors.
Colorectal cancer screening: U.S. guidelines recommend beginning regular screening at age 45 for individuals at average risk, with recommendations varying based on family history and health status.
Prostate cancer screening: It is not recommended to automatically perform the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for all men after the age of fifty. Its benefits and harms should be discussed with a doctor, especially for men between 55 and 69 years old.
Lung cancer screening: Low-dose computed tomography may be recommended annually for people aged 50 to 80 who have a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years and who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.
Attention should also be given to assessing mental health, reviewing vaccinations, discussing sleep quality, physical activity, and smoking, and checking kidney function when risk factors warrant it.
Most importantly, a good screening is not necessarily the most frequent one, but rather one whose benefits outweigh its harms for the right person at the right time.
Warning signs that should not be ignored
Even in the presence of silent diseases, the body sometimes sends warning signals that require attention and medical evaluation.
Among the most notable are:
Chest pain or a feeling of pressure in the chest, especially if accompanied by shortness of breath, cold sweat, or nausea, are symptoms that may indicate a cardiac emergency.
Sudden weakness in one limb, facial drooping, or slurred speech are potential signs of a stroke that require immediate emergency assistance.
Weight loss without a clear reason, especially if it persists or is accompanied by other symptoms.
The appearance of blood in urine or stool, even in the absence of pain.
Persistent changes in urination, such as a weak urine flow, difficulty starting, or unusual frequency.
The appearance of a lump or a new change in one of the testicles, even if not accompanied by pain.
Persistent fatigue or shortness of breath during exertion that the person was previously able to tolerate.
Persistent sadness and loss of interest in life, especially when thoughts of self-harm or suicide arise; this is a condition that requires urgent help.
Mental health.. Suffering that should not be hidden
Attention to men's health is often focused on the heart, diabetes, and cancer, while mental health does not receive sufficient attention.
A man may suffer from anxiety, depression, or severe psychological stress without seeking help, either because he is unable to identify the symptoms, out of fear of what others might think, or because he believes he must face his problems alone.
In some cases, psychological distress does not appear as clear sadness, but may manifest as irritability, isolation, sleep disturbances, overworking, or resorting to harmful behaviors.
World Health Organization reports indicate that some traditional perceptions of masculinity may act as a barrier to seeking psychological help.
Therefore, it is essential to provide an environment that allows men to express their suffering without fear of criticism or stigma, and to promote the awareness that mental health is an essential part of general health.
Seeking psychological help does not mean failure, just as visiting a cardiologist when alarming symptoms appear does not mean one is weak-willed.
Prevention starts with lifestyle
Prevention is not limited to medical tests and examinations, but also begins with daily habits that affect the body's health in the long term.
Regular physical activity, a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, abstaining from smoking, improving sleep quality, and monitoring blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol can all contribute to reducing the risk of several chronic diseases.
However, prevention does not guarantee that one will not get sick; people who follow healthy lifestyles may still face health problems due to genetic, biological, or environmental factors beyond their control.
Therefore, health awareness should be a means of empowering individuals to make better decisions, not of blaming patients for the illnesses they contract.
True strength is taking care of your health
Changing men's relationship with their health begins by reviewing some of the ideas that link masculinity to silence and enduring pain, no matter the circumstances.
A man who sees a doctor when needed is not less strong, one who talks about his psychological suffering does not lose his dignity, and one who undergoes a preventive screening is not being overly anxious about his health.
On the contrary, paying attention to health reflects an awareness of the value of life and responsibility toward oneself, family, and society.
The "Movember" campaign carries a message that goes beyond calling for check-ups or doctor visits; it is an invitation to change the traditional concept of strength and to abandon the culture of silence when it comes to health.
True strength is not in enduring pain until the end, but in having the courage and awareness to seek help before a simple problem turns into a major danger.
Masculinity does not mean enduring illness in silence.. rather, it means safeguarding your health before it is too late.
