Men’s Health Can’t Wait: Screening Starts Before Symptoms

You do not have to feel sick to pay attention to your health. For men aged 40 and above, regular check-ups and health screenings can help identify potential concerns early, before they become more difficult to manage. Yet some men delay seeking medical care or wait until symptoms become difficult to ignore.

For Black, Indigenous and racialized men, the reasons can go beyond personal choice. Cultural stigma, language differences, systemic barriers and limited access to culturally safe healthcare can make it harder to seek care early or attend regular check-ups.

Why Some Men Delay Care

Expectations around masculinity can make it difficult to talk openly about health for some men. The pressure to appear strong, independent and able to manage problems alone can lead some men to downplay pain, postpone check-ups or delay seeking medical attention. Access to clear health information can help change that.

Bringing Men’s Health into the Conversation

Truly Alive Youth and Family Foundation Inc. (TAYFFI) addressed these issues through its Men’s Health & Well-Being webinar series, including the session Navigating Healthcare and Screenings. Through its BIPOC Men’s Health & Well-Being program, TAYFFI provides opportunities for men to access practical health information, speak with professionals and better understand how to navigate healthcare services.

Facilitated by Dr. Adeyemi Laosebikan, the session covered:

• Navigating Saskatchewan’s healthcare system and accessing referral services;
• The importance of routine health screenings and regular checkups;
• Early detection and management of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol; and
• How income, housing, immigration status and systemic barriers can affect access to healthcare and health outcomes.

Participants also had the opportunity to ask questions and relate the discussion to their own experiences. The question-and-answer period extended beyond its scheduled time as participants continued to ask about healthcare, screening and when to seek medical attention. The level of engagement highlighted a clear need for reliable health information and safe spaces where men can ask questions openly and without judgment.

Prevention Starts Before Illness

Regular screening is not only for people who already feel unwell. Knowing your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, attending routine check-ups and discussing recommended screenings with a healthcare professional can help identify potential concerns earlier.

Men can start by:

✓ booking regular check-ups;
✓ knowing their key health numbers, including blood pressure and cholesterol levels;
✓ discussing appropriate screenings with a healthcare professional; and
✓ encouraging other men to take preventive health care seriously.

These are simple steps, but they can help men become more informed about their health and more confident about when to seek care.

Keeping Men’s Health on the Agenda

One webinar cannot remove all barriers men face in accessing healthcare. However, it can provide information, answer questions and help make the healthcare system easier to understand.

TAYFFI’s Men’s Health & Well-Being programming supports Black and racialized communities in Saskatchewan by improving access to health information, resources and community-based support. Continued collaboration with community organizations, partners, funders and supporters can help extend this work to more men across Saskatchewan.

Men’s health should not begin with a crisis. It begins with knowing your health, asking questions and seeking care early.