Medical consultants have urged Nigerian men to take greater responsibility for their health by undergoing regular medical screening and seeking early medical intervention, warning that delayed attention could allow cardiovascular and prostate diseases to progress unnoticed.
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The experts spoke during a webinar, “The Intentional Man: Taking Charge of Your Health,” organised by SYNLAB Nigeria as part of its health awareness and preventive healthcare initiatives.
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The webinar focused on cardiovascular and prostate health, with the speakers stressing the need for men to understand their health risks, adopt healthier lifestyles and take preventive measures before diseases SYNLAB Nigeria calls for adherence to standards in patient carebecome advanced.
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Speaking on cardiovascular disease prevention, Consultant Cardiologist, Dr. Oladeji Olajide, said men generally have shorter life expectancies than women, attributing part of the disparity to poor healthcare-seeking behaviour, delayed medical attention and risk-taking lifestyles.
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Olajide identified hypertension, diabetes, abnormal cholesterol levels, smoking and obesity among the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, stressing that many cardiovascular deaths could be prevented through healthier lifestyle choices, regular screening and early intervention.
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He urged men to know their key health numbers, including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels and body mass index (BMI), describing preventive healthcare as an act of responsibility rather than weakness.
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The cardiologist also explained the relationship between diabetes and hypertension, noting that diabetes could contribute to high blood pressure through damage to blood vessels and impaired kidney function.
‎He advised people with pre-diabetes to adopt healthier dietary and lifestyle practices to reduce the risk of progressing to diabetes and developing associated complications.
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Also speaking, Clinical and Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Habibu Muhammad, called for greater awareness of prostate health, particularly among ageing men.
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Muhammad explained that prostate conditions, including benign prostatic enlargement, prostatitis and prostate cancer, become increasingly common as men grow older.
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He noted that prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Nigerian men and could occur without obvious symptoms, particularly in its early stages.
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He therefore encouraged men, especially those above 40 and those with a family history of prostate cancer or African ancestry, to discuss appropriate screening with their healthcare providers.
‎According to him, Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) testing and digital rectal examination are among the tools that may be used in assessing prostate health.
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Muhammad said early detection provides an opportunity for timely medical intervention, adding that healthy living and regular medical check-ups could help men adopt a more proactive approach to their wellbeing.
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The webinar also featured an interactive question-and-answer session during which participants sought clarification on blood pressure, pre-diabetes, blood pressure medications, coffee consumption, prostate health and sexual performance.
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Responding to a question on blood pressure during pregnancy, Olajide explained that blood pressure classifications apply to pregnant and non-pregnant women, although some blood pressure medications require caution during pregnancy because of potential risks to the unborn baby.
‎On coffee consumption and prostate health, Muhammad said available research had not established a clear link between coffee consumption and prostate cancer. He, however, noted that very hot beverages had been linked to oesophageal cancer.
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The experts also discussed the relationship between prostate conditions and sexual performance, noting that prostate problems and some treatments could have implications for sexual function.
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They stressed the importance of timely assessment and appropriate medical management for men experiencing symptoms or concerns relating to prostate health and sexual function.
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The webinar reinforced the need for men to move beyond the practice of waiting for symptoms before seeking medical attention.
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Participants were encouraged to know their health status, undergo appropriate screening and make informed lifestyle choices as part of efforts to reduce preventable diseases and improve overall wellbeing.
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The webinar, which was streamed live on YouTube, is part of SYNLAB Nigeria’s health education initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of preventive healthcare.
‎SYNLAB Nigeria provides medical laboratory and diagnostic services in Nigeria and says it has more than 30 centres across 12 states, while its Nigerian operations have provided diagnostic services since 2004