Advice

Men’s Health Month

November 26, 2025

November is a month dedicated to raising awareness about men’s health, encouraging open conversations and calls to action. Men can experience gender-specific health issues such as prostate cancer and testicular cancer, but can also be affected by other types of cancer, illness and mental health issues – however men, on average, are less likely to attend GP appointments or speak about their health. Common reasons for this include beliefs such as that it isn’t “masculine” to talk about it, or that they should “tough it out”, and that their illness will get better on its own.

Serious conditions

Evidence suggests that avoiding conversations about their health can lead to later discovery of serious health problems, which can lead to a more advanced stage of illness and be more difficult to treat. According to the UK Movember movement, men on average die 4.5 years earlier than women – and often due to preventable issues. This is why bringing awareness and encouraging men to talk about their health and get help is so important.

The wider impact

Men’s health not only affects them, but also their loved ones; when a dad, brother, uncle or friend becomes seriously ill, the world can turn upside down for people who are close to them. Children and young people can often face feelings of worry, responsibility and confusion. They might also struggle to talk about their feelings, especially when adults around them struggle to do it too.

Opening up

Movember encourages men to open up — about health, about feelings, about the tough stuff. We believe those conversations should also reach the next generation. When young people see adults talk honestly about illness and emotions, it gives them permission to do the same.

This November, while focusing on talking and raising awareness about men’s health, let’s also remember the young people watching, listening, and learning from us. Talk, share, check in — with the men in your life and with the young people who love them.

Reach out

Hope supports children and young people when they have a loved one with a serious illness; young people in Herefordshire can access group sessions and activity days as well as in person visits, whilst one-to-one support via Hope Online is available to those aged 5-25 anywhere in the UK.

If you know a young person facing serious illness in their family, you can refer them using our referral form.