SEAN MURPHY, HOST:
Well, it's probably not news to your ears that, on average, women live around five years longer than men. Perhaps one of the reasons is that women are much more inclined to see a doctor when they're feeling a bit crook.
It's something that all Australian men and boys are being encouraged to do for themselves, and with that, we mark the start of Men's Health Week today.
Now, across the nation, the Men's Health Special Envoy also happens to be our local Hunter Federal MP, Dan Repacholi, and Mr Repacholi joins me on the line now.
Good morning, Dan.
DAN REPACHOLI MP, SPECIAL ENVOY FOR MEN'S HEALTH:
Good morning, Sean, and good morning, listeners. It's a pleasure to be here.
MURPHY:
So, you take a lot of time and a lot of pride in your role as Men's Health Envoy. What's the mission this week?
REPACHOLI:
This week is Men's Health Week, and starting off today we're launching "101 Reasons Why We Should See a GP", not why we shouldn't, like most blokes think, but why we should.
That's what we're launching today with Healthy Male, and it's really about making sure blokes are getting on top of their health and making it a priority, rather than something that sometimes sits sixth, seventh or maybe even tenth on the list of priorities they're dealing with every day.
MURPHY:
Okay. So you've listed 101 reasons. I won't get you to relate all of them. Is there a particular line of argument, though, that you reckon men need to hear?
REPACHOLI:
The biggest one for me is making sure we're around longer for our loved ones.
Men, on average, die just under five years younger than women, and if we're in rural and remote areas of Australia, that's up to 13 years younger. That's the statistic that scares people the most because it shows the difference in health literacy between men and women.
If we can get more blokes to get to the GP and get a blood test every 12 months, we will literally save thousands of lives in this country.
MURPHY:
You've been open about your own health journey of late. How has that been going, and has that helped you be a real voice in the room?
REPACHOLI:
Most certainly it has.
It's been going well. I unfortunately hit 152 kilos, so I was a big unit and a tall bloke already, but weighing that much was a bit much.
I decided to see my GP after really not wanting to, and had a conversation around my weight issues. Now, about 18 months later, I'm down 35 kilos.
It's been a lot of hard work, and there's still about five more kilos to go to get where I want to be. But being on top of it, I feel so much better within myself.
It's been a great thing, and I hope we see more blokes out there willing to have conversations they don't really want to have, but know they need to for their health and for being around a lot longer for their loved ones.
MURPHY:
Do you reckon that's the key, rather than jumping onto ChatGPT and asking it for diet plans or hacks, but rather starting with that chat with the GP?
REPACHOLI:
Yeah, starting with that chat with the GP is a massive step forward because it shows you're willing to make that appointment and show up.
That first step is showing up for yourself so that you can genuinely try to make a difference to your health.
MURPHY:
Hearing from Dan Repacholi, Federal MP for Hunter, Special Envoy for Men's Health.
Men's Health Week starts today.
Mr Repacholi, another focus for Men's Health Week is bowel cancer. There's a pretty well-established bowel cancer testing program for older blokes, but are enough younger ones getting in on that?
REPACHOLI:
No, there's not enough younger people getting in on that.
Bowel cancer is affecting young blokes, and it is unfortunately killing many young blokes out there.
If you do have erratic bowel movements that change regularly and don't feel normal, it's not normal to have the squirts one day, then be blocked up for two or three days, and then have all different kinds of bowel movements.
If you are experiencing that, please make sure you're reaching out to your GP and having that conversation.
Get a test kit if you can. They're available from most pharmacies, but you can also see your GP and they can request one for you as well.
MURPHY:
Yeah, that visit to the GP could be doing a lot of good across a lot of angles in your life.
You've been on social media asking people to buy men flowers. What's this all about?
REPACHOLI:
Yeah, a little bit different.
The big thing is that many men only get flowers once in their life, and unfortunately that's when they can't see them or smell them because they've passed away.
We give flowers to our loved ones and the women in our lives. There's nothing wrong with giving blokes flowers either because we all appreciate that sort of thing.
It's just a nice gesture to show that people genuinely care.
MURPHY:
Right. Well, I guess my colleagues here at the ABC are on notice, and likewise yours in Parliament House, Dan.
Let's get those bouquets coming for the boys.
REPACHOLI:
That's exactly right. Pick your colours, gents. Pick your colours.
MURPHY:
I've been wearing a lot of black of late. That might get a bit sombre. Hey, Dan Repacholi, thanks for your time.
REPACHOLI:
Thank you, Sean, and thank you, listeners. Have a great Men's Health Week, and please make sure you're looking after your health.