A CHAT FROM LONDON: Men’s health transforming in a changing society

Three health items attracted my attention early this week in London. Tucked on page seven of Monday’s Daily Mail, the story by Sophie Borland, health correspondent read, “Prostate cancer – raises breast risk for daughters”...

A man’s problem

Normally, prostate issues are exclusively for men. When President Jakaya Kikwete flew to Baltimore Hospital, US, for surgery in November last year, suddenly the prostate topic was huge. Articles were written. Men were talking and hissing. Whenever a famous person becomes sick, we all stop walking, sit still; reflect. Among celebrities who have suffered the prostate illness include late Nelson Mandela, and musician James Brown, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and Hollywood actor, Robert De Nero.

So far (whether enlarged, harmless or cancerous) prostate is a male issue. But according to reporter Sophie Borland, “A study of 78,000 women found that those with a first degree male relative—father, brother or son— who had prostate cancer were 14 percent more at risk of developing breast cancer.”

Yes. Breast cancer. Hear the connection, ladies?

Statistically, prostate affects 45 per cent of men over the age of 60, but for women, it varies, demographically. Recently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed that there are higher numbers of sufferers in developed countries than in poorer ones. That is why women have been advised to have regular breast screening and checks. Just like prostate, the earlier breast tumours are detected, the easier the treatment.

Early detection is an awareness issue, therefore.  This awareness depends on how much we care about our health. Longevity International Centre, UK, argues that we are going to live beyond 90 years in the foreseeable future.

ILC: “One of great success stories in the United Kingdom is that people are living longer and men’s life expectancy is catching up with women’s. Male life expectancy at birth is now almost 80 years, having advanced 14 years since 1950 thanks to reductions in smoking, a decline in hazardous occupations, better health care and higher standards of living.”

The argument insists whereas traditionally, women lived longer than men by a difference of six years, 30 years ago, by 2013 the gap was only three years. This hints a potential longer life for both genders, at a similar age in the near future.  One of the reasons for the increase in life expectancy is men being more careful on how they eat and live. Meanwhile, women development has pushed their stress levels.

I have always pointed out on this column how women in developed countries have taken bad male habits such as heavy drinking and smoking. It is normal to hear women complaining they are constantly tired due to work and stress.  The fast life has introduced nervous wrecking hazards.  Last year a young woman I was working with was not happy after I had lightly suggested the dangers of smoking. “Please, leave us alone...!” she said furiously.

This is supposedly, the progress of women. Today women no longer stay in the kitchen like their great grandmothers. They work and make money. Triumph.  But alongside this victory is a surge and rise in health decline.

Which brings us to the third piece I picked from the Times newspaper. A long feature on Saturday asked: “Are men the new women?” A quick glance makes it seem like men are turning into women.  Not that simple, though.

It means men are taking extra care.  Journalist Jonathan Heaf says: “As with women for decades before us, health for men has become increasingly about staying attractive—attractive to women, to other men, to your boss and yes to your mirror.”

This behaviour gives us “spornosexual men”; a phrase coined by Mark Simpson, the same writer who invented “metrosexual” to describe guys like famous footballer David Beckman. Fit and healthy, they are very concerned about their health and appearance.  Difference with Beckham’s “metrosexual” is that spornosexuals are as vain as women are. Being dirty and physically unfit is out of date.

How about East African guys?

  Is the main thought - how you look? Is a big belly (or beer belly) still a symbol of power and being handsome? Forty, fifty years ago African women loved a man with a big stomach. A token and promise of wealth. “Public opinion” was used to describe these supermen with suits, cars, cash and massive guts.

Shortcut to the grave

Nowadays we are starting to realise how a  kitambi could also indicate a fast jet to the grave. Fat mid riff is a free voucher for diabetes, high blood pressure and stomach disorders. But has East African aesthetics, really altered like in rich countries?

Don’t we still admire a chap with an unfit body but plenty of affluence? Is an African “spornosexual” a reality yet? How about modern, affluent East African women? Are they drinking and smoking (furiously) like their sisters in rich countries?