Movember & Men’s Health with Mr. Gidon Ellis

·34 min·3 clips

One in five men in the UK dies before age 65, yet many avoid doctors until it's too late.

The episode begins with hosts Nicole Goodman and Lauren Mishcon introducing Movember, a global charity raising awareness for men's health issues like prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health. They cite a Movember report highlighting that roughly 133,000 men die prematurely annually in the UK from preventable causes. Guest Gidon Ellis, a consultant urologist, joins to discuss these statistics, noting one in five men in the UK dies before age 65. Ellis explains common problems men delay seeing doctors about, including lumps, blood in urine, and prostate issues. He details prostate cancer testing, mentioning the PSA blood test and digital rectal exams, but reassures that exams can often be skipped with alternatives like MRI scans. The conversation covers risk factors for prostate cancer, such as age, ethnicity, and family history, and notes that prostate cancer is common in older men but often slow-growing. Ellis discusses symptoms of prostate issues, like changes in urination, and emphasizes that early-stage prostate cancer typically has no symptoms. The hosts and Ellis explore why men avoid doctors, citing cultural norms, toxic masculinity, and fear of vulnerability. They highlight the role of women and partners in normalizing health conversations and encouraging early visits. Testicular cancer is addressed, with Ellis noting its high survival rate if caught early but the embarrassment that prevents young men from seeking help. Lifestyle factors like smoking, diet, and exercise are discussed for prevention, with Ellis mentioning smoking's link to bladder and kidney cancers. Caffeine's effect on bladder irritation and nighttime urination is explained as a simple fix for some. Mental health links to physical symptoms are briefly touched on, with Ellis noting stress can exacerbate conditions. The episode concludes with Ellis sharing personal self-care habits, like exercise and reducing caffeine, and advocating for early education on men's health in schools and sports clubs.

As heard by us

A practical look at noticing men's health concerns earlier and making prevention easier to talk about.

Men's health is framed here as a matter of paying attention sooner: to vague symptoms, postponed appointments, and the habits that can make prevention feel less remote.

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Why you'd press play

You get a calm nudge to notice what your body is telling you, talk about men's health, and stop leaving prevention until later.

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