Buy onlineBy Dr Avron Urison, Chief Medical Officer at 1Life Insurance
The 2025 1Life Insurance Movember Poll found that only 14% of South African men have regular health screenings, while 33% see a doctor only after they already have a health problem. Meaning 86% of men react to illness rather than prevent it. This is concerning, considering South African men have a 1 in 17 lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer, and black men face a higher risk of more aggressive forms. This form of cancer is also among the most common cancers in men globally.
Why screening matters
Many of the most serious health conditions affecting men, including prostate cancer, can be treated far more effectively, and in some cases cured, when detected early. Research shows that the five-year survival rate for localised prostate cancer, where the disease remains confined to the prostate, is nearly 100%. The challenge is that prostate cancer often develops without noticeable symptoms. By the time symptoms appear, the disease may be advanced, limiting treatment options and affecting outcomes. Early detection changes this. Regular screening can identify cancer before symptoms appear, allowing for earlier intervention, more effective treatment, improved long-term survival, and a better quality of life.
Family history is another important factor. Men with a father, brother, or other close relative who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer face a higher risk of developing the disease themselves at a later stage and should make routine screening a priority. It is also important to remember that an enlarged prostate does not automatically mean cancer. Most prostate enlargements are not cancerous and become more common with age. However, only a medical assessment can tell the difference, which is why regular check-ups and timely screening remain essential.
Why men put it off
Awareness of men's health is growing, yet 86% of men still skip check-ups. The most common reason is the belief that no symptoms mean no problem, even though many serious conditions stay quiet until they have progressed.
Social expectations play a role too. Conversations about masculinity that praise self-reliance can make asking for help feel like a weakness, when in fact looking after your health is a sign of strength. Practical pressures add to this. Work, family and money often come first, and taking time off work for an appointment is hard to justify when nothing feels wrong. That trade-off rarely holds up. A late diagnosis affects more than the patient; it brings emotional strain and financial pressure to the whole family and adds to the load on an already stretched healthcare system. A screening appointment costs far less than any of that, and, ironically, protecting your financial future from such unexpected incidents costs far less, too.
What men can do
This Men’s Health Month, take charge of your health by doing the following:
- Book an annual screening for prostate cancer and other age-appropriate conditions, even if you feel well.
- Find out your family medical history and discuss it with a medical expert.
- Exercise, eat a balanced diet, prioritize sleep, and use healthy stress coping mechanisms.
- Cut back on smoking and heavy drinking.
- Talk openly about your health and encourage the men around you to do the same.
- Ensure you have Dread Disease and Life Cover in place to safeguard your loved ones’ financial future when they need it most.
This Movember, this message is clear: Don't wait for a warning sign; make a screening appointment and secure your family’s financial future before something feels wrong. Catching a problem early can mean the difference between a routine treatment and a life-altering diagnosis, and it protects the people who depend on you.