Men's Health 2019

MEN’S HEALTH THE VOICE

Health Matters special feature

JUNE 13 - 19, 2019

The gift of good health…

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t is often said that “Good health is wasted on the young and treasured by the not so young” There are many proverbs that back this up…

Good health is above wealth’, Health is not valued till sickness comes, Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. And the wellused favorite that we all know, Prevention

is better than cure.

In the Black community men are spectacularly gifted at avoiding the doctor and the subsequent health check-ups that will follow. We often use the gym and sport as a way of keeping fit and healthy, but is that enough?...

In this father’s day Men’s health special we focus on a major area that

is becoming increasingly common amongst men in the black community namely Prostate cancer we also look at the taboo subject of Erectile dysfunction and the not so well known area of male breast cancer.

20 | THE VOICE JUNE 13 - 19, 2019

MEN’SHEALTH

Prioritise your prostate

Godfrey knows the importance of an early diagnosis – and urges all men to get checked out

LIVING LIFE TO THE FULL: Godfrey Fletcher found his music and being a DJ helped him focus on something other than his prostate cancer

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IKE MANY men, Godfrey Fletcher had no symptoms and little knowledge of prostate cancer when he was diagnosed with the disease at the age of just 47.

The news came as a complete shock. Godfrey was unaware that black men over 45 faced a higher than average risk of getting prostate cancer.

What he also didn’t know was that he had a family history of the disease, making it even more likely he would develop prostate cancer.

He said: “After being diagnosed with prostate cancer I found out that I wasn’t the only one in my family.

“Not only had my grandfather died from the disease, my father had been living with it for some

time but preferred not to speak about it.

“Thankfully my prostate cancer was picked up at an early stage and I should make a full recovery, but this notion of avoiding conversations about a disease that affects one in four black men must end.”

Godfrey’s family are originally from Jamaica and he feels that prostate cancer remains a taboo subject within much of his community.

Although Godfrey’s father did eventually reveal that he had prostate cancer when he started having treatment, the cancer was already advanced.

He passed away in March 2018.

Thankfully, Godfrey’s prostate cancer was caught early and he was able to have treatment to try and cure it.

He had robotic surgery to remove his prostate in 2016, followed by a six-week course of radiotherapy.

He experienced few side

effects of treatment, although at times he found it difficult to deal with.

Most men with early prostate cancer don’t have any symptoms. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the risk factors too. Prostate cancer is most common in men over 50.

Black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer have a particularly high risk and may want to speak to their GP from the age of 45, even if they don’t have any symptoms.

CRASHING As a DJ, Godfrey, of Wolverhampton, turned to music to help him through his treatment.

He said: “When you hear those three words ‘you have cancer’, it’s like your world has come crashing down – I felt completely numb. You have to try and pick yourself up and go again.

“I honestly believe music stopped me from being depressed; it relaxed me and gave me something else to focus on.”

Since his diagnosis, Godfrey has been raising awareness of prostate cancer as much as possible, especially in black communities. He has worked closely with Prostate Cancer UK

on their mission to tell black men about their higher risk of prostate cancer.

He has been surprised by the number of people who don’t

“My cancer was picked up at an early stage... this notion of avoiding conversations about a disease that affects one in four black men must end” know about prostate cancer and wants to change this and put a stop to the disease being such a taboo subject in his community. In particular, Godfrey wants to make sure both of his sons are aware of their higher risk.

He added: “Let’s get a conversation going. Let’s just talk about prostate cancer and get rid of all the taboo. We need to build together to get the

right messages across to other people out there who might have an increased risk.

“I have two sons – both of them now know that they face a higher risk – not just because of our black ethnicity but also because of our family history.

“In the future, if they are unlucky enough to develop the disease, at least it will be picked up at an early stage when something can be done about it.

CONTROL “That’s why talking about prostate cancer is so important.”

Godfrey’s prostate cancer is now under control, but his diagnosis inspired him to change his lifestyle, and he has stopped drinking and follows a much healthier diet.

He took part in Prostate Cancer UK’s first ever London March for Men event in 2017 with a friend, and completed the 10k route, which he found very enjoyable.

He also raised £200 for the charity.

He followed this up by taking part in this year’s Birmingham March for Men event on June 9.

“Prostate Cancer UK’s London March for Men event was a lovely day and a great way to raise some money for a worthy cause and awareness of this terrible disease.

“Taking part in the Birmingham March for Men event this time round was more personal for me as my dad passed away from prostate cancer in 2018, which was devastating.

“My dad didn’t speak to me about his diagnosis and by the time he did, there was nothing we could do.

“I hope to raise as much awareness of prostate cancer as possible, as early detection is crucial for helping men survive this disease and I don’t want anyone to have to face what my dad and I have been through.”

Godfrey is supporting Prostate Cancer UK’s March for Men, a series of walking fundraisers taking place across the UK this month. To walk alongside Prostate Cancer UK, sign up for a March for Men or organise your own March. For more information visit marchformen. org.

JUNE 13 - 19, 2019

THE VOICE | 21

MEN’SHEALTH

‘I didn’t know breast cancer was a thing among men’

TREATMENT: Dr Olu Taiwo underwent a mastectomy to beat breast cancer, in addition to chemotherapy and some radiotherapy, as well as visiting his local Breast Cancer Haven centre for support

When a painless lump on his chest turned out to be something far worse, university lecturer Dr Olu Taiwo began an ordeal of mental and physical therapies to help him beat cancer

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R OLU TAIWO leads a lifestyle that can only be described as remarkably healthy. Between being a husband, a dad and lecturing at the University of Winchester, Olu eats well and follows a strict exercise routine.

For more than 30 years he has ensured that he practices basketball, t’ai chi ch’uan, yoga and meditation on a regular basis.

Yet in early 2018, shortly after booking a check-up for a painless lump on his chest, Olu was diagnosed with breast cancer.

The diagnosis came as a total shock – not only had he done all the right things to stay reasonably healthy, he’d never considered that, as a man, he could develop breast cancer.

TAKING CONTROL

“My first thoughts were about my wife and two children – this was certainly going to impact their lives.

“Once the doctors explained the treatment I would need – six courses of chemotherapy, a mastectomy and radiotherapy – I immediately got to work learning the science behind all of the drugs and procedures that were on offer.

“I was determined to take control of the situation so that I could make the right decisions for me and my family.”

It wasn’t long before Olu began chemotherapy.

This is when he noticed that the nausea he was expecting only presented itself when he took a break from his disciplined t’ai chi ch’uan and yoga

exercise routines. He had exercised in this way for more than three decades, but it was still very uncommon for it to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy in this way – his doctors were unable to explain how the tumour had reduced so quickly, but were pleasantly surprised about how this was happening.

This meant Olu only had four and a half cycles of his chemotherapy course before the operation.

FORMING A PARTNERSHIP AT BREAST CANCER HAVEN After coping with the unpleasant side-effects of chemotherapy, mastectomy and radiotherapy, Olu visited Breast Cancer Ha-

ven for some additional support after a friend recommended the local Wessex centre; all of which went hand in hand with his existing exercise routine.

At Breast Cancer Haven, Olu was given a free personalised programme of support which included reiki, nutritional therapy and acupuncture.

“I can’t stress how amazing the staff were at Breast Cancer Haven.

“As a man, I felt really welcomed, understood and listened to, even though so few men experience breast cancer.

“I feel like I formed a real partnership with the therapist that helped me at the centre – it wasn’t just me being looked after by them, we worked together on my therapy.”

THE IMPLICATIONS OF A MASTECTOMY Shortly after his radiotherapy, Olu found it was also interesting to meet fellow visitors at the centre and learn about their own experience of breast cancer.

“I felt physically incomplete because I’d lost a part of my body. Yet, for the women that I met at Breast Cancer Haven that had also had a mastectomy, the implications were bigger: many felt they had lost a part of their identity and their confidence.

This gave me a bigger perspective on how breast cancer can affect people differently.”

‘NEW HEALTHY NORMAL’ “Society doesn’t let you move on easily. I’ve realised that part of recovery is acknowledging

and accepting what happened.

My lifestyle of regular exercise, paired with the support I got at Breast Cancer Haven, has also helped me to keep active.”

It’s common for people to worry about the future after breast cancer, and whether it will return, but Olu is determined not to let this happen. Instead, he’s eager to continue a happy and healthy lifestyle with his family, and is grateful to Breast Cancer Haven for helping him to focus on a ‘new healthy normal’ for himself post-treatment.

If you’re affected by breast cancer and need support, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Register for free breast cancer support at your local Breast Cancer Haven centre today.

Why it’s time to speak up about our sex drive LOSS OF libido – or sex drive – is a common problem that affects many men and women at some point in their life.

It’s often linked to relationship issues, stress or tiredness, but can be a sign of an underlying medical problem, such as reduced hormone levels.

Everyone’s sex drive is different – there’s no such thing as a “normal” libido.

But if you find your lack of desire for sex distressing or it’s affecting your relationship, it’s a good idea to get help.

Here we explain where you can get help and some common causes of a low libido.

WHERE TO GET HELP AND ADVICE

l Your GP: they may be able to offer some helpful advice, or refer you

to a specialist for an assessment and treatment l A psychosexual therapist: your GP may be able to refer you on the NHS, or you could pay to see a therapist privately; l A contraception and sexual health clinic l Relate: a relationship support service that has online advice about sex and relationships, telephone and online counselling and local support services, as well as therapists you can pay to see l The Sexual Advice Association: a sexual health charity that has online fact sheets about sex problems and a helpline on 020 7486 7262.

Don’t feel embarrassed about getting help. Lots of people experience problems with their sex drive, and seeking advice can be the first step towards resolving the issue.

A LACK OF DESIRE: Many people will have a loss of libido, but there are ways to try and get back on track

COMMON CAUSES OF A LOW LIBIDO

Relationship problems One of the first things to consider is whether you’re happy in your relationship. Do you have any doubts or

worries that could be behind your loss of sexual desire? A low libido can be the result of: l being in a long-term relationship and becoming overfamiliar with your partner

l loss of sexual attraction l unresolved conflict and frequent arguments l poor communication l difficulty trusting each other l physical sexual problems

HELPFUL You may find it helpful to read advice about keeping the passion alive in your relationship and talking about sex with your partner.

Your GP may be able to refer you and your partner for relationship counselling if you’re having persistent problems, or you may wish to contact Relate for support and advice.

For more information and advice from the NHS on the subject of sexual libido, visit nhs.uk/conditions/loss-oflibido/

22 | THE VOICE JUNE 13 - 19, 2019

MEN’SHEALTH

The hidden disease

Prostate cancer is a deadly condition that hits black men more than white, but it may not come with symptoms at first – that’s why one former sufferer is leading a call to get tested

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CONCERNED GRANDFATHER is begging black men to get their prostate checked – after he developed cancer despite having no symptoms whatsoever.

According to NHS England, men of African Caribbean or African descent are two to three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than their white counterparts.

The death rate is also twice as high, while black men are more likely to develop prostate cancer at a younger age.

PRECIOUS LIFE-CHANGING: The Proton Therapy Centre in Prague, Czech Republic that Crosby attended

One man who’s fought and beaten prostate cancer, Crosby Enninful, is sharing his story in the hope it will convince others to seek help.

The 58-year-old says: “Men don’t discuss certain issues when it comes to their health, but that’s got to change.

“I didn’t have any symptoms – absolutely nothing – and I don’t know what pushed me to see a doctor.

“Life is the most precious thing anyone has. And if you take action against prostate cancer early, it can save your life.”

Married Crosby, from Ladbroke Grove, west London, says his journey began in 2011, when he’d just turned 50.

And it began almost on a whim.

He explains: “I had no symptoms to suggest anything was wrong. I’ve never, ever had any symptoms. But I went to my GP and asked for a PSA test regardless. I’m now so glad I did.”

While there’s no national screening programme for prostate cancer, prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood testing is used as an ad hoc diagnostic tool in the UK. PSA is a protein often produced by prostate cancer cells.

Raised levels, discovered through a simple blood test, can indicate a tumour. According to NHS guidelines, if you’re aged 50 to 69, a PSA reading of 3ng/ ml or higher represents a ‘raised’ level.

In Crosby’s case, his initial reading was 3.5, but by 2014 that had risen to 9.2. Biopsies confirmed the worst – the presence of cancerous cells.

C r o s b y, inset right, had a number of options ahead of him.

He could have opted for a prostatectomy – surgical removal of the prostate – which runs the risk of side effects such as impotence and incontinence.

“They said, ‘We can take it out, and you’ll be free of this, but there’s a chance you might not be able to have sex again’. It’s a tough thing to hear,” he says.

“Meanwhile, if I’d opted for chemotherapy, the tumour could have returned.”

In the end, Crosby opted to undergo proton beam therapy – a highly accurate form of radiotherapy which radically reduces the collateral damage to nearby organs and can save patients from erectile dysfunction or incontinence.

It is not available on the NHS to treat prostate cancer.

The cost of Crosby’s treatment at the acclaimed Proton Therapy Centre in Prague, Czech Republic,

costs £34,000 for 21 ‘fractions’, or sessions.

During a follow-up PSA test in March 2015, Crosby’s levels had plunged to just 0.1.

When asked about his initial reaction, Crosby laughs: “Have you ever seen a mad man dancing before? I was jumping around the room! My word. The joy, the relief that I had at that time. It was unbelievable.”

N o w , Crosby’s PSA stands at just 0.2 and he’s desperate to spread the word to save others.

He reveals: “My cancer was symptomless but it was also growing aggressively.

“It is a hidden disease that can take your life if you don’t discover it until it’s too late.”

Dr Jirí Kubeš, pictured below left, medical director at the Proton Therapy Centre, reiterated Crosby’s calls.

CONCERNS Dr Kubeš states: “There is no clear evidence as to why black men carry such a high risk of prostate cancer, but there is strong evidence that awareness is dangerously low.

“In most men, prostate cancer is there without them even knowing it and they often only become alerted when symptoms worsen.

“Men with any concerns at all should not hesitate to see their doctor.”

According to the charity Prostate Cancer UK, one in four black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives.

In the general population, the risks lengthen to one in eight men. Official figures show there were 40,489 prostate cancer cases registered in 2016, accounting for one in four (26.1 per cent) male malignant cancer registrations.

In the same year, there were more than 11,000 prostate cancer deaths in the UK. Visit ukprotontherapy.co.uk for more information