Then you should be reading this!
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s ‘MENtion It’ Campaign Highlights the Need for Open Discussion on Men’s Health Issues
According to healthcare experts, men are far less likely than women to seek a professional opinion about their health concerns, which could identify problems at an early stage before they become serious.
An online survey by Cleveland Clinic in the US found that that 72
To encourage more open discussion about preventative care in men’s health, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is encouraging UAE national and expat males in the UAE to ‘MENtion It’ to qualified professionals when they have a potential medical issue. The hospital is organizing a series of surveys in November designed to discover the extent of the challenge in the UAE.
“Culturally, we know firsthand that our male population is less comfortable speaking up when they have a healthcare concern, which could be anything from a recurrent headache to an issue with basic bodily functions,” said Dr. Bashir Sankari, Institute Chair of the Surgical Subspecialties Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and a prominent Doctor in Urology.
“At Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, we have seen the challenges that men face when talking candidly about their health, and the ‘MENtion It’ initiative is designed to encourage transparent discussion of, education around, and early detection of any issues affecting men’s wellbeing,” he added.
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has seen an increase in the number of men overcoming the perceived stigma around seeking medical advice for urological, prostate, and colon-related concerns. If left unaddressed, these issues may cause a significant deterioration in a man’s quality of life, and can lead to more serious conditions including cancer.
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s physicians are speaking to male patients about year-around wellness aspects including heart health, maintaining an ideal weight through diet and increased physical activity, and reducing habits such as smoking.
Through the end of the year, the hospital’s ‘MENtion It’ campaign will include educational sessions and online resources that encourage men in the region to proactively speak up and seek professional advice about health issues.
“When men take the initiative and seek advice from a doctor, they may even then refrain from being completely candid about how they are feeling, which can prevent a full diagnosis or our ability to put their minds at rest,” continued Dr. Sankari. “Through Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s ‘MENtion It’ focus, we want to assure our male patients that it’s worth it to speak up to physicians (as well as their families) in a candid way to proactively manage their health and wellbeing.”
For more information, men in the region and their loved ones can visit www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae