Feedback report: men's health in Torbay and South Devon

Healthwatch Devon, Healthwatch Plymouth and Healthwatch Torbay were approached by Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust to support them in collecting feedback from men of all ages who access healthcare services in Torbay and South Devon, to help them to understand what matters to men and how they can be better informed about their health and wellbeing.  Healthwatch undertook a survey to which 132 men responded.

• The top 4 topics that respondents indicated they would like to understand more about were:
• Prostate Issues / Cancer - 81% of respondents
  • Malignant Melanoma (skin cancer) – 43% of respondents
  • Testicular Abnormalities – 39% of respondents
  • Mental Health – 39% of respondents
• The top 4 topics respondents find most difficult to talk about are:
  • Erectile Dysfunction – 65% of respondents
  • Mental Health – 48% of respondents
  • Testicular Abnormalities – 42% of respondents
  • Prostate Issues / Cancer – 39% of respondents
• 82% of respondents were aware that the leading cause of death for men aged 50-79 years was cardio-vascular (heart) disease.
• 89% of respondents were surprised to learn that only 53% of men provided with a bowel cancer screening test, completed & returned it.
• 86% of respondents were surprised to learn that more men than women are dying of Melanoma Skin Cancers.
• 77% of respondents have never been shown how to carry out a testicular examination and told what to look for.