Challenging Men’s Health Stigma: ‘A Strong Man Seeks Help; He Gets Checked Up’

More than 150 men gathered at the Belize Civic Center on Thursday for a health forum that went beyond awareness and into uncomfortable territory, confronting the fear, stigma, and silence that plagues men from seeking medical help.

The event was organised by the Belize Cancer Society and its partners and featured frank discussions on prostate cancer screening, mental health, nutrition, and primary care. A central focus was the digital rectal exam, which is a yearly screening recommended for men over 40, and the deep reluctance many men have toward it.

Dr Irvin Gabourel walked the audience through a newer, less intimidating screening option. And while talking about it was easy, health professionals say the bigger problem is getting men to undergo the screening.

Mental Health Advisor at the Pan American Health Organization, Dr Claudina Cayetano, attributed this barrier to a culture in mindset. “Men have been taught to always be strong, be the protector. Seeking help makes them feel vulnerable. What we want them to know is that a strong man seeks help. A strong man wants to be healthy,” she said.

At the forefront to encourage the males present in the audience was cancer survivor and former CEO of the Kolbe Foundation, Earl Jones. He hopes sharing his personal journey would encourage more men to get checked out. “This is the time to start thinking about taking care of yourself if you have not been doing so before, because cancer is nothing nice. It takes away your finances and after it’s done, it kills you,” he said.

The Belize Cancer Society reminded attendees that its team remains available to advise and support men throughout their health journey.

Tune in to News Five’s 6 o’clock newscast tonight to hear more from this story.