Every November, Movember’s sea of moustaches helps spotlight men’s health and wellness, most often prostate and testicular cancer, suicide prevention, and men’s mental health.
The movement matters. It saves lives and it gets people talking.
Yet this annual spotlight also creates an opportunity to examine the societal pressures shaping our understanding of who counts, who’s included, and who’s left out when we talk about men’s health and wellness.[i] That wider lens is crucial when we consider the reality behind the numbers.
National statistics are alarming. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in Canada. On average, 83 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 14 men die from it every day in Canada. It was estimated that 30,400 Canadian men would be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 1,300 men in Canada would be diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2025.[ii]
Experts argue that current data collection methods don’t capture the full picture as it focuses on cisgender men. Sticking to the binary may lead to false data sets that focus only on biology and dismisses the social determinants of men’s mental and physical health. At the same time, this approach also dismisses gender minorities because prostate and testicular cancer can affect people who do not identify as cisgender men. This approach and the language used can prevent people of other gender identities from receiving necessary screening and treatment.
It's important to explore how aggregated data can reveal important trends: in 2022, the Mental Health Commission of Canada reported that men accounted for 75% of the approximately 4,000 suicide deaths. However, these figures change dramatically when examined through an intersectional lens. Indigenous men exhibited higher rates of suicidal ideation compared to the general population. Men who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ are six times more likely to exhibit suicidal behaviour compared to heterosexual men. Within the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, higher numbers are reported among trans, non-binary, and queer youth and young adults. However, given the stigmatization of marginalized racial, gender and sexual identities, the actual numbers are likely to be much higher.[iii]
It is important to understand the magnitude of the problem. We need more awareness and education programs to talk about men’s mental health, as well as the risks, diagnostics and prevention of prostate and testicular cancer. Alongside implementing awareness-raising programs, it is important to understand why so many Canadian men are reluctant to disclose mental health issues or undergo regular cancer screenings. The shortage of family doctors and long waiting times to see specialists is a separate challenge, though it undoubtedly contributes to these troubling statistics.
One way to address the issue is to examine the gender expectations placed on men by society. Clearly, these expectations are intersectional and shaped by factors such as race, Indigeneity, ethnicity, nationality, gender, ability, and immigration status. They vary depending on an individual’s identity and community, but most relate to what it means to be a man within a specific context. Understanding this requires considering the societal pressure to maintain a legitimate, 'full' masculinity, often discussed as hegemonic masculinity.IV
These expectations may make many men feel uncomfortable admitting to anxiety, depressive episodes and suicidal thoughts as they feel it would be "unmanly" or a sign they are not ‘strong’ enough. Similarly, admitting to health issues related to reproductive function may be perceived as a sign of weakness or an inability to prove one's masculinity. Clearly, these are harmful gender stereotypes. We recognize that some of these stereotypes are outdated, humorous, or exaggerated. However, regardless of their gender, many people reference stereotypes and social expectations when judging men’s behaviour. This leads to difficulties in communicating psychological and health concerns, social isolation, and constant pressure to reaffirm men's status quo.
This is why it is important to raise awareness of men’s health and wellbeing issues, together with addressing the gender roles and expectations that usually prevent men from discussing their physical and mental health. Harmful gender stereotypes need to be addressed at all ages, and we need to change the way we educate young boys about what it means to be a man, a partner, a colleague and a friendV. Addressing these issues together will allow for more open conversations about the social and psychological barriers that lie at the root of the alarming statistics mentioned above. It is important to address the social structures that limit such spaces and conversations about men's health and emotional wellness.
Designing screening and awareness programs requires an intersectional approach that includes all marginalized groups. Accurate epistemological tracking and data collection, alongside a community-informed understanding of social determinants, are needed for better resource allocation and raising awareness.
IIhttps://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-types/prostate/statistics ; see also https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/article/marking-movember-how-you-can-get-involved-for-mens-health/
V For example, see educational materials by Next Gen Men, https://www.nextgenmen.ca/