There is an urgent call for young men to check for signs and symptoms of cancer regularly as new research by Bupa reveals a concerning gap between rising cancer cases and early detection.
According to the research, only one in four (28%) men check for cancer signs or symptoms monthly. There is also a concerning generational divide, with younger groups such as Gen Z (16-28) far less likely to check themselves regularly, with just one in six (17%) doing so. Many mistakenly believe they are too young to be at risk, despite certain cancers - such as testicular cancer - being most common among teens and young adults aged 15 to 45. Alarmingly, incidence rates for testicular cancer in the UK have surged by more than a quarter (29%) since the 1990s.
The findings come at a crucial time as cancer rates increase in this age group. Since the early 2000s, cancer rates for young people in the UK have risen by approximately a tenth (9%). Furthermore, analysis of recent mortality data (2021-2023) shows the consequence of late diagnosis, with 50% more male cancer deaths (approximately 150) than female cancer deaths (approximately 100) recorded annually.
According to the research of 3,000 men, one in seven (15%) said they never check for signs of cancer, while almost a fifth of Gen Z (20%) have never checked.
This concerning trend continues when it comes to seeking medical advice. Only 26% of Gen Z said they’d be most likely to seek help from a GP for medical advice, with 13% saying they’d go to the hospital and 10% saying they would call 111. Instead, 15% said they would sooner search for support online, using AI or via social media first, and worryingly, 6% had no idea where to seek this advice from at all.
The research also suggests that one of the main reasons people avoid checking or seeking medical advice is through fear of being diagnosed, with 17% saying this was the main reason they steered clear of seeking professional support, while a fifth (21%) of millennials saying this was a factor in their avoidance.
One in ten reported practical barriers such as difficulty getting appointments, time off work, or cost as reasons for not seeking advice, with Millennials (15%) and Gen Z (12%) being most affected.
Dr Tim Woodman, Medical Director for Cancer Services at Bupa, said: “This data paints a worrying picture. We are seeing a measurable increase in cancer diagnoses among young people, yet the very group most affected, Gen Z, is the least likely to take simple, potentially life-saving preventative steps like monthly self-checks for cancer signs and symptoms. Most cancers can be treated far more easily and effectively when they are caught early, but too many men are putting off checking and getting advice or help when they have concerns, potentially brushing symptoms off as something else. Knowing what is normal for your body and checking yourself regularly is vital to spotting any symptoms at the earliest stage possible.”
Bupa's latest episode of its Inside Health series sees Dr Zoe Williams sit down with Dr Tim Woodman and Dr Frankie Jackson-Spence, Cancer Expert, to explore how cancer screenings, tests and prevention strategies can help you get ahead of cancer. You can watch Bupa’s latest episode here.
|
