November Newsletter

Movember Matters: Get Tested for Prostate Cancer

Did you know that 1 in every 23 South African men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime? Not only that, an average of 5 men in South Africa die as a result of prostate cancer every day.

The only way to reduce this is to raise awareness about prostate cancer, and the importance of getting regular medical check-ups to screen for this life-threatening condition.

Unfortunately, many men tend to avoid getting checked, because they worry about the intrusive nature of the test. The good news is, you can now opt for a quick and easy blood test instead.

About Prostate Cancer

The prostate is a gland in the male body, located just below the bladder in front of the bowels. It has an important reproductive function, producing fluid that makes up part of the composition of semen (sperm).

Prostate cancer can occur when the cells in the prostate gland start reproducing faster than usual, causing a tumour on the prostate. Without treatment, prostate cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body, making cancer more difficult to treat.

It’s not unusual for prostate cancer to start developing without any noticeable symptoms. That’s why early detection is essential, and prevention is better than cure.

How Doctors Test for Prostate Cancer

There are two common methods used to screen for prostate cancer:

PSA blood test. The doctor will draw blood from a vein in your arm for testing. This test measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. High PSA levels may be a sign of cancer, or other conditions like prostate inflammation.
Digital rectal examination (DRE). This is a physical exam, where the doctor uses a gloved, lubricated finger to feel the surface of the prostate and check for any irregularities.

Pros and Cons of the PSA Test

A lot of gents may prefer a PSA blood test over a DRE, as it feels less invasive. The PSA test is also useful for detecting early-stage prostate cancer, which means patients can start treatment quicker.

On the other hand, PSA screening may also detect very slow-growing types of prostate cancers that are not life-threatening, leading to unnecessary treatments. It’s always best to talk to your doctor about which type of test is best for you.

Protect your health by getting checked for prostate cancer – a little bit of discomfort is well worth it for the peace of mind it will give you and those who care about you.

With the options available, there’s no excuse not to get tested – and no need to become a statistic!

Get Involved – Support Men’s Wellness

The Movember movement is a charity that’s dedicated to addressing the biggest health concerns facing men today – including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health struggles. Find out how you can get involved.

If you have any questions, feel free to chat with one of our health counsellors and they can answer your questions privately and professionally. All Health 247 counselling and advice is free to you and your family.

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Tips to Minimise Screen Time as a Family

Are you looking to spend more quality time as a family, now a days this can often be achieved by cutting down on screen time. Here are a few ways you can make sure you spend less time on your devices.

Set a daily limit: Give your kids (and yourself) an agreed time limit for screen time each day.
Use some handy apps: There are various free apps available to help you monitor and limit the time spent on a phone or tablet. This is a good way to set hard limits by locking your family’s devices when their time is up.
Lead by example. Adults often need more screen time than children because of work commitments, but make sure that you limit your own screen time and set a good example for your kids and teens.
Plan activities for screen-free time: During “downtime”, plan some fun family activities or schedule playdates to keep your kids busy. You’ll soon find there are a few favourite screen-free activities you enjoy together and want to do more often.
Spend more time outdoors. Outdoor exercise, sports and playtime will encourage your kids to be more active and engage with the world around them, beyond their screens.
Have some screen-free zones in your home. Make rules about where screens can be used and where they are “banned”. For example, you might want to keep all screens and electronics out of the bedroom or the dining room.
Get creative. Take time to enjoy some family-friendly creative activities like drawing, crafting and reading, to fuel your kids’ imagination without relying on tech.
Switch off during mealtimes. Make family dinner a time when everyone switches off and puts away their devices. Don’t eat dinner while watching TV either. Make this a time to have conversations and build relationships.
Have regular “detox days”. Take regular breaks from social media, online games and all screen-based activities, by occasionally having full days where you don’t use any tech or screens.
Use more “diverse” devices. You can reduce how much you rely on your phone or tablet, by using other electronics instead. For example, use a bedside alarm clock to wake you up, and get an affordable digital camera to take family photos.

Festive Season Budgeting and Saving Tips

After a year where many of us have experienced extra financial struggles, the thought of festive season expenses can be stressful. Without detracting from the fun of festive season shopping, here are a few practical tips to help you budget and thus spend wisely.

Tips for Smarter Holiday Spending

First, make up your budget for your normal monthly expenses like rent and groceries. Then make up your festive budget for extra expenses like gifts, travelling and special meals. Stick to both these budgets strictly.
If you get extra money as a gift or even an end-of-year bonus, put some of it aside as savings for the months to come, instead of spending it all during December.
When you go shopping, only take the cash you need. Leave your credit cards at home.
Avoid spending time at the mall or the shops unless you need to be there. This way, you won’t be easily tempted to spend extra money.
Look out for summer sales and specials to help you buy gifts at a discount.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on gifts to make your loved ones feel special. If you’re on a budget, give homemade gifts or offer your time and skills instead of buying material things.
Festive outings don’t need to be expensive. Avoid events with entrance fees. Instead, plan a picnic, a movie night or a day at the beach or a park with your friends and family, and get everyone to split the costs.
Cook and enjoy some of your favourite meals at home with your loved ones, instead of eating out at restaurants.
Don’t buy things on credit; spending money you don’t have will cost you more in the long run.

As the festive season comes to an end, make sure you also set some clear, realistic financial goals for yourself in the new year, so you can start 2022 off on the right foot.