UAE: Men delay medical check-ups to appear tough; experts say they need to break stigma
Lack of awareness, societal pressures and fear are some of the reasons why men delay getting medical help, according to experts in the UAE. Some say studies have repeatedly shown that men put off going to the doctor until it is too late.
“Men often delay health check-ups due to society’s expectation of toughness, fear of diagnosis, or lack of time,” said Dr Mathew Abraham, Specialist, Internal Medicine, Aster Hospital, Sharjah. “Addressing this requires breaking the stigma that seeking medical care is a sign of weakness.”
Dr Mathew Abraham. Photo: Supplied
According to Consultant Urologist Prof Dr Michel Jabbour, nervousness could also play a role. “They could be shy from opening up to physicians or strangers and talking about their intimate life, whether the prostate or their sexual life,” he said. “This is a serious problem especially with prostate cancer because it has no symptoms in its early stage.”
Dr Michel Jabbour. Photo: Supplied
Dr Waleed A. Hassen, Urology Department Chair at Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi, said that he met people “every day” that he wishes had sought medical help earlier. “Studies have shown that men will have later diagnoses of certain diseases, poor control of diabetes and not get access to the physician as compared to women,” he said. “Unfortunately we see a lot of men at advanced stages of prostate cancer and other cancers because they haven't gone to see a physician and haven't had the right tests.”
Dr Waleed A. Hassen. Photo: Supplied
A 2019 study by Cleveland Clinic in the US had found that 72 per cent of men would rather do household chores than go to the doctor and 20 per cent of men admitted that they have not been completely honest with their doctor.
CampaignsSeveral men’s groups advocate a campaign called Manuary- observed in January- to spread awareness about men’s health by highlighting the importance of preventive care, mental health awareness, and lifestyle modifications.
“Health campaigns like Manuary can normalize discussions about men’s health,” said Dr Mathew. “Family members and partners can also play a role by encouraging men to prioritise their health and offering support. Additionally, workplaces could introduce health awareness programs to make preventive care more accessible.”
Dr Michael added that “insufficient” healthcare awareness was a major issue because it meant men were not informed of the diseases that they could catch.
According to Dr Waleed it was important for all men to go for regular checkups. “They should be seeing their primary healthcare physician,” he said. “They will look at the patient’s blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels and screen for cancer. They will assess how much exercise the patient getting and counsel them on lifestyle choices. These preventative measures are really important.”
Dr Mathew added that it was important for men to as well. “Men need to pay attention to mental health, practice mindfulness, maintain social connections, and seek professional help when needed,” he said. “It is also important not to ignore your body’s signals. Routine screenings and timely doctor visits can prevent minor issues from becoming major health problems.”