Men’s Health: Prioritising Wellness All Year Round

Men’s health goes beyond simply avoiding illness, it’s about cultivating a life where you feel strong, energised, and fully engaged. Yet for many, wellness often slips behind demanding schedules, mounting responsibilities, or the belief that things will sort themselves out.

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Why Men’s Health Awareness Matters?

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A research done Ministry of Health Malaysia* highlighted that some men delay seeking medical attention or overlook early symptoms, which can make it harder to address health issues promptly. Raising awareness encourage men to:

1. Schedule routine check-ups
2. Prioritise early detection
3. Make healthier lifestyle choices
4. Talk openly about physical and mental health.

*Source : https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/19/12428

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Common Health Challenges Men Face

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• Heart Disease: Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of mortality among Malaysian men. In a single year of 2023 alone, ischaemic heart disease was linked to 12,648 male deaths, which is 17.6 % of all male deaths experienced in this country. It emphasises the need to take cardiovascular screenings earlier and change lifestyle, especially if you have a family history of heart problems.
  
  ‍Source: Malaysia's2023 Cause of Death Report (Malay Mail)

• Prostate Cancer: Prostate cancer ranks as the third most common cancer among Malaysian men, with 2,360 new cases recorded in 2022. Worryingly, around 70% of cases are diagnosed at a late stage, significantly reducing survival odds. Meanwhile, testicular cancer makes up just 1.2% of all male cancers, but it mainly affects younger men aged 15 to 34. The good news is both cancers are highly treatable when detected early, making timely screening and medical attention critical.
  
  Sources:
  • Testicular and Prostate Cancer Awareness in Malaysia (The Star)
  • Malaysia Cancer Fact Sheet – GLOBOCAN 2022
  • Protecting The Prostate Malaysia Men Dilemma – Cancermatters.cancer.org
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• Diabetes: It is estimated that 4.75 million adult Malaysians live with diabetes, and close to 43% of them are men. The condition is often diagnosed late, which can lead to serious complications such as hypertension and kidney disease. Since type 2 diabetes is a lifelong condition, early detection and regular monitoring with your primary care provider are essential for long-term health.
  
  Sources:
  • National Diabetes Registry Report 2023 – MOH Malaysia
  • Diabetes Prevalence in Malaysia – IDF
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• Mental Health: Mental health is a critical but often overlooked issue among Malaysian men. While only 2.0% of men screened positive for depression in the NHMS 2019, this may reflect underreporting rather than true risk. Between 2020 and 2023, over 3,600 men died by suicide four times more than women. This highlights the need to reduce stigma and improve access to mental health support for men.
  
  Sources:
  • Men’s Suicide Rate Quadruples Women’s (The Star)
  • NHMS 2019 Mental Health Findings – Institute for Public Health (MOH)
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• Unhealthy Habits: Malaysian men are disproportionately affected by lifestyle-related health risks. According to NHMS 2019, over 40% of adult men smoke, and 95% of e-cigarette users are male. Men are also more likely to consume alcohol and engage in binge drinking. These habits, often adopted early and sustained over time, significantly increase the risk of chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
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  ‍Source: NHMS 2019 Report – Institute for Public Health (MOH)

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Prevention Through Screenings & Healthy Living

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         Health Screenings

• Blood pressure and cholesterol levels (yearly).
• Blood glucose for diabetes (especially for those over 40).
• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test for prostate cancer.
• Testicular self-examinations for younger men.
• Make your annual physical exam a priority so that any concerns can be addressed early on by a healthcare professional.

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         Balanced Diet

• Consume more whole fruits, vegetables and grains.
• Select lean protein food like fish, legumes, and poultry.
• Reduce the consumption of processed and high-sodium food.
• Consume less refined drinks and alcohol.

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         Exercise

• 30 minutes of brisk walking five times a week.
• Coached or self-guided at home workouts or light resistance training.
• Embarking physical movements into everyday activities, such as using stairs.

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         Sleep and Stress

• Seek to have 7–9 hours of good sleep at night.
• Reduce screen time during pre-bedtime.
• Have some mindfulness or relaxation practice.
• Get assistance when feeling stressed out.

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It’s a Team Effort: Support from family and friends

The health process of a man is not solitary. Support within a community and family is an important aspect of long-lasting wellness.

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Family and Community Support

Families and communities should conduct open conversations to normalise check-ups and the expression of emotions.

Convincing your brother, father or friend to see the doctor may help save their lives, fostering a healthier future for everyone.

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Normalising Conversations

Mental or physical health is something that men can talk about, but cultural stigma interferes with it.

With the normalisation of such discussions, we are ensuring that the next generation will have an even healthier environment.

Men can be encouraged to come forward and speak out through campaigns and support groups.

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How to Promote Men’s Health

Do your best to raise awareness and contribute to the well-being of the male gender that surrounds you:

Share trusted Malaysian men’s health information on social media For example:

• Over 40.5% of Malaysian men smoke, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer (NHMS 2019).
• Prostate cancer is now the third most common cancer among Malaysian men (GLOBOCAN 2022).
• In 2023 alone, 12,648 Malaysian men died from heart disease, making it the leading cause of death (DOSM 2024).

Ask loved ones to take up proper health check-ups

Encourage the men in your life to schedule regular screenings including for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and cancer. Early detection can save lives, especially for conditions like heart disease and prostate cancer, which are often diagnosed late among Malaysian men.

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Start Taking Control of Your Health

Raising awareness about men’s health isn’t just a trend but it’s a reminder that looking after yourself or your loved ones, no matter how small the effort, can make a big difference.

Everything starts with a single step. Knowing that health is your responsibility, and the only time to go into action is now.

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