My apologies to Ed Bruce, but the old song “Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys” popped into my head when I started writing on International Men’s Day.

And each night begins a new day
If you don’t understand him, and he don’t die young
He’ll probably just ride away…

November is a great time to talk about Men’s – and Boys’ – Health.    Firstly, because it’s Movember — so many people are growing ( or living with someone growing) a truly epic ‘tache — and secondly because 19 November is International Men’s Day.

I’d consider myself a fully-fledged feminist so I understand the question some of my fellow women ask:  “Wait, we need a day for men?”

Yes – and before you take away my feminist membership card – hear me out:

Both Movember and International Men’s Day have a role in highlighting some stark statistics:

• In 2021, 8,000 men called Men’s Aid to get help for domestic violence and so far for 2022, reports are up 36%

• 535 men reported 2021 sexual assault

• Irish men’s life expectancy is 4 years less than women

• 3890 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in Ireland each year; 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in Ireland in their lifetime

• Around 200 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year in Ireland. It is the most common cancer in men under 45

• 66% of men are above a healthy weight or have obesity, contributing to the high rate of death from heart disease, stroke, and respiratory disease

• 20% of males over age 18 engage in binge drinking at least once a week

• Males have much higher rate of work-place injury and work-place fatalities much more common in men

• 399 deaths in Ireland by suicide in 2021; 302 were male

• 14 November is World Diabetes Day:  Type 2 Diabetes is more common in men than women in Ireland, and men are more like to have complications from diabetes

• Though more men than women have obesity, men make up around only 10% of referrals to obesity medicine programmes**

Some quick take-Aways for Men’s Health this month?

• If you are male under 45, check your testicles once a month and make an appointment with your doc if you have a new swelling, pain, lump, or heaviness.

• If you are over 50, you should be checking in with your doc every year. This check-up usually includes checking your blood pressure and cholesterol (risk factors for heart disease and stroke) as well as any symptoms or risks for diabetes or prostate cancer. Men with risk factors or family history may need to start in their 40’s. This check can include referral for supports to maintain a healthy weight

• Reduce your alcohol intake to low-risk levels and avoid binge drinking. Low risk drinking for men is fewer than 17 units of drink each week with 2 -3 days a week alcohol-free, and no more than 6 units per day. (1 pint = 2 units)

• Get regular physical activity.

• Join a sports club or men’s shed to stay active and help look after your mental health.

• Check out Movember.ie for more information on men’s health, especially on suicide prevention

• Mammas, Don’t let your sons grow up to be statistics: If you are a mother of sons (I’m one!), helping your son learn from an early age how to talk to his doc, how to have a healthy relationships, how to drink responsibly, and how to ask for help to support his mental health.

**If you are a healthcare professional, you can read more in my article breaking down Obesity and Men’s Health written for the November issue of “Hospital Professional News Ireland”