Men in the UK face particular health issues, so much so the Government has made plans to introduce the country’s first Men’s Health Strategy 1 to tackle them
According to the evidence collected to inform the new strategy, men are dying on average 4 years earlier than women, and for largely preventable reasons.
They’re disproportionately affected by a number of health conditions including cancer, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. They’re also more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviours linked to disease, including smoking, harmful gambling, alcohol consumption and substance misuse.
And according to various studies, including research from the Men and Boys Coalition2, they’re LESS likely to go and see a doctor…
Seeking help
While some are put off by waiting times, others by the inconvenience of appointments, and some think GPs are only for really ill people, and they should be able to ‘tough it out’ by themselves.
Whatever the reason, the reluctance to access health services is costing lives. Men are at risk of missing important diagnoses, and worsening conditions that could have been caught early and treated simply.
3 key men’s health issues
There are three key men’s health issues that impact thousands of men each year, and have become the focus of the annual Movember men’s health campaign.
Prostate Cancer
- 1 in 8 3 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
- It’s the most common form of cancer in men
- If you’re over 50, or you’re black, or you have a family history of the disease, then your risk of getting prostate cancer is even higher
- Symptoms include difficulty urinating, going more often – especially at night, struggling to empty your bladder, blood in your urine or semen, and unexplained back pain
- Early diagnosis is key. If prostate cancer is diagnosed in its first stages, 5 year survival is nearly 100%4. Diagnosed at stage 3 around 95% will survive their cancer for 5 years or more after diagnosis and at stage 4, around 50% of men survive for 5 years or more.
- Don’t worry – you’re far more likely to be offered a blood test than a physical examination to help diagnose prostate cancer.
Find out more about prostate cancer
What is a PSA test?
Testicular Cancer
- While testicular cancer is not a common cancer, around 2,400 cases5 are diagnosed in the UK each year
- It's most common in men aged 15 to 49 6
- Symptoms of testicular cancer include a lump or swelling in your testicle or your testicle getting noticeably bigger or harder, pain in your testicle or scrotum, and even pain on your back or lower.
- Early detection makes a huge difference to how testicular cancer can be treated, with 95% of men7 surviving for five years or more after diagnosis.
Find out more about how to check your testicles
Suicide
- Suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 508in the UK
- 75% of all suicide deaths are male9, with rates particularly high among middle-aged men
- Men are more likely than women not to seek help for their mental health. Social pressures to appear strong and self-reliant can lead to isolation, making it harder for men to open up about their feelings or access support services.
- 1 in 510 adults have thought about suicide in their lifetime
- It’s not always linked to mental health – 2 in 3 suicides are by people who are not under mental health care services
- Talking about suicide doesn’t make it more likely to happen – it can actually give people other options and outlets.
Find out more about what to do in a mental health crisis
How Equipsme supports men’s health
At Equipsme, it’s our aim to speed up access to diagnosis. That means our products and services can cut through some of the barriers that men face. Here’s how:
1. 24/7 GP Service
If you can’t get an appointment with your NHS GP that suits your working hours, or if you’re squeamish about talking to someone in person, our virtual GP service is there for you 24/7.
Most appointments are made within 24 hours, there’s no time limit on your consultation, and the 24/7 Health Hero GPs can issue open referral letters that can be submitted as part of a claim to find out if the condition and treatment is covered. And if you’d rather speak to a male or female GP you have the option to choose.
Find out more about using the GP Service
2. Physiotherapy sessions
Don’t struggle on with an injury – your Equipsme plan comes with access to MSK specialists and physiotherapy sessions, that can help you get twinges, strains or more serious muscle, ligament and tendon issues assessed by the claims team at AXA Health, and if covered, help you find a physiotherapist near you.
Find out more about how to get physiotherapy support through Equipsme
3. Stress Support EAP line
If your company has chosen it as part of your plan, our stress support EAP line from Health Assured is a great place to start talking if something is on your mind.
It’s free, it’s confidential - and it’s not just about work-place stress. Qualified counsellors are on hand to talk about relationship issues, debt, legal problems, generalised depression and anxiety. They can help you understand your feelings and make a plan to manage them - and start feeling better.
Find out more about how to use the Wellbeing Support line
4. Diagnosis and treatment
If diagnosis and/or treatment is part of your plan, it means you’ve got a fast track to getting on top of your health issues. If your claim is covered, you can see an AXA Health specialist at a private hospital near you, and get the health tests and answers you need, faster.
Find out how to use Equipsme diagnosis services
Find out more about how to use Equipsme treatment services
5. Health checks through Thriva
All Equipsme members have access to a 20% discount off Thriva at-home health tests. These include a PSA test, which can help diagnose a prostate issue. Just log into your members portal and click the home health check button to access the discounted tests.
You can get a FREE at-home PSA test from your own GP, or pay for one from some local pharmacies.
Find out more about home health tests
6. Heart health and cancer support lines
If you get diagnosed with a heart condition or with cancer, your Equipsme plan also gives you access to a dedicated heart and cancer support line from AXA Health, who can talk you through your diagnosis and treatment options.
Find out more about the cancer support line
Find out more about the heart health support line
References:
1 www.gov.uk/government
2 Men’s Health Week survey shows long waiting times and inconvenient opening hours
3 prostatecanceruk.org
4 www.cancerresearchuk.org
5 www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/testicular-cancer
6 www.nhs.uk/conditions/testicular-cancer/what-is-testicular-cancer/
7 www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/testicular-cancer/survival
8 www.england.nhs.uk/blog/tackling-the-root-causes-of-suicide/
9 www.anxiousminds.co.uk/suicide-is-the-biggest-killer-men-under-50/
10 https://www.tewv.nhs.uk/about-your-care/practical-guide/suicidal-thoughts-support/
All our information is desk-based research from credible sources only, including the NHS, Cancer Research, and registered medical/disease charities.
Date created: September 2025
