Men’s Health Week in June provides an opportunity to raise awareness of NHS screening and prevention offers relevant to men in England.
Below we have included messaging around bowel cancer screening, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening, diabetic eye screening and HPV and older adult vaccinations, to help inform men of what they are eligible for and which age, and to inform them on how these programmes can help prevent and protect from illness.
Objectives
- Raise awareness of the NHS screening offers for men
- Explain clearly who is eligible for each offer
- Dispel common myths and increase confidence in taking up screening
- Encourage men to act when invited
Audiences
- Men and boys aged 12 to 24 who are eligible for HPV vaccination
- Men aged 50 to 74 who are eligible for bowel cancer screening
- Men aged 65 and over who are eligible for AAA screening and various vaccinations
- Diabetic men who are eligible for diabetic eye screening
- Partners, families and carers who may encourage men to take up screening and/or vaccination
- Communities with lower screening and/or vaccination uptake, including people who may face barriers linked to confidence, awareness, language, deprivation, or access
Key messages
AAA screening
- All men living in England are invited for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening the year they turn 65 as abdominal aortic aneurysm is far more common in men over 65.
- You will only have a AAA screening test once, unless an aneurysm is found.
- Most abdominal aortic aneurysms do not have any symptoms, so screening is the best way to find one.
- Finding an abdominal aortic aneurysm early reduces the chance of it bursting (rupturing), which can be life threatening.
Bowel screening
- Bowel cancer screening is done at home using a test called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) to look for blood in a sample of your poo. This could be a sign of bowel cancer.
- It can help find cancer early, and before you have any symptoms, which may mean it’s easier to treat.
- Bowel cancer screening is currently offered to everyone aged 50 to 74 every 2 years. This is because your risk of getting bowel cancer gets higher as you get older.
- If you’re aged 50 to 74 and registered with a GP, you’ll automatically get a bowel cancer screening home test kit (FIT kit) through the post every 2 years.
- If you’re aged 75 or over, you can ask for a home test kit every 2 years by calling the bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 6060.
- If you do not have a permanent home address, you can ask your GP surgery for your test kit to be sent to the GP surgery or to another address.
Diabetic eye screening
- The NHS invites everyone with diabetes aged 12 and over for diabetic eye screening.
- Diabetic eye screening is an important part of diabetes care. We offer screening as it helps to prevent sight loss.
- As someone with diabetes, your eyes are at risk of damage from a condition called diabetic retinopathy. Screening can detect retinopathy before you notice any changes to your vision.
- Diabetic eye screening is not part of your normal eye examinations with an optician. Screening does not look for other eye conditions. You should continue to visit your optician for regular eye examinations as well.
- How often we invite you depends on the results from your last 2 screening appointments. We will invite you for screening every 1 or 2 years if we do not find diabetic retinopathy.
HPV vaccination
- The HPV vaccine is offered to boys from year 8 in school (12-13 years) to help protect them from high-risk HPV related cancers
- HPV vaccination can protect men against cancers such as head and neck (mouth and throat) and penile cancers.
- HPV is a virus that is very common, anyone can get it in their lifetime. It is usually cleared by the body, but in some cases it can lead to cancer.
- The HPV virus has a number of low and high-risk strains. The high-risk strains can lead to cancer and the HPV vaccine protects against 9 of the most high-risk strains.
- If you have missed the vaccine when offered it at school, you can still get vaccinated up until your 25th birthday. Contact your GP practice to book an appointment.
- All boys born after 1st September 2009 who missed their vaccination can catch up at their GP practice until their 25th birthday.
- Find out more www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/hpv-vaccine/
General vaccination
- There are a number of vaccinations available for adults, including the seasonal flu vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine and shingles vaccines* for people aged 65 and over and the RSV and seasonal COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 75 years and over.
- To find out if you are eligible for any of these vaccines, visit: NHS vaccinations and when to have them – NHS
- Some people with underlying health conditions may also be eligible for further vaccinations or vaccinations at an earlier age. Speak to your GP if you are unsure.
*The shingles vaccine is available for all people aged 65 and over if they turned 65 on or after 1 September 2023. Those who turned 65 before 1 September 2023 will only be able to get their shingles vaccine if they are aged between 70 to 79 years old.
Myth-busting
- Myth: “If I feel fine, I do not need screening.” Fact: Screening is designed for people without symptoms and can help spot problems earlier.
- Myth: “Screening is only for older men.” Fact: Different NHS screening programmes apply at different ages.
- Myth: “The test will be difficult or embarrassing.” Fact: Many screening tests are quick, simple and done at home or during a short appointment.
- Myth: “If there is no history in my family, I do not need to think about screening.” Fact: Eligibility is based on national evidence and age or risk criteria, not just family history.
- Myth: “The HPV vaccine is just for girls.” Fact: The HPV vaccination can protect men against head and neck (mouth and throat) and penile cancers.
