5 Things to Know This Canadian Men's Health Month

June marks Canadian Men’s Health Month, an important reminder to prioritize your health and well-being. Yet for many men, starting that conversation isn’t always easy.

For Don Helgeson, a father from Nanaimo, this is something he’s working to change. After facing prostate cancer, he’s made it his mission to break the stigma around men discussing their physical and mental health, and to encourage more open conversations about screening and early detection.

Here are five things to know this Canadian Men’s Health Month.

Why Conversations about Men’s Health Matter

There’s a long-standing stigma that can make it harder for men to speak openly about their health, especially when it comes to symptoms or concerns.

“Women tend to have conversations on what to be checking for earlier,” says Don. “Men don’t have those conversations

This can lead to missed opportunities to catch health issues early, when they may be easier to treat.

Prostate Cancer is the Most Common Cancer in Men and Awareness is Key

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian men, accounting for about one in five new cancer cases.

It often develops without symptoms in its early stages, which makes awareness and proactive conversations with a healthcare provider especially important.

Don recalls how limited his own awareness was before his diagnosis, sharing “I didn’t even know what PSA levels were until my doctor, who had luckily included it in blood work, found the levels were starting to rise.”

BC Cancer researchers and clinicians are working to improve how prostate cancer is detected and treated. At BC Cancer – Victoria, Dr. Abraham Alexander and his team have helped advance SABR (Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy), a highly precise radiation therapy that can reduce the number of treatments patients may need. Building on this work, Drs. Alexander and Winkle Kwan are now exploring the use of artificial intelligence to guide precision radiation through the ADAPT-25 clinical trial.

Screening and Early Detection Can Make a Meaningful Difference

In British Columbia, one in two people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, making early detection an important tool for improving outcomes.

Routine check-ups and cancer screenings can help detect cancer before symptoms appear, when treatment may be more effective.

Screening is available for several common cancers affecting men, including:

• Colorectal cancer, which can sometimes be detected before it becomes cancer
• Lung cancer, for those at higher risk

If you have any concerns or questions about the screening programs available to you, speak with your healthcare provider. Visit BC Cancer’s website to learn more about its province-wide screening programs.

Some Cancers are Linked to Everyday Habits and Can be Prevented

Research shows that about four in 10 cancers can be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices.

Simple steps can help reduce risk over time:

• Eating a balanced diet with more fruits and vegetables, while limiting ultra-processed foods
• Staying physically active
• Avoiding tobacco, the leading preventable cause of cancer

These small, consistent changes can help reduce your cancer risk and support your overall well-being.

Taking Action Starts with a Conversation

Looking after your health starts with a single step.

Whether it’s booking a check-up with your healthcare professional, asking questions or talking openly with someone you trust, paying attention to your health today can make a difference tomorrow.

By sharing his story, Don hopes more men will feel empowered to speak up and take charge of their health, because these conversations matter.