In France, certain diseases affect men harder and earlier. A threat which is not the simple fact of bad luck or genetic factors, but rather because these gentlemen do not always make the right decisions when it comes to health.
Underestimated cancers
Men represent 56% of new cases of cancer in France, according to Public Health France. And we’re not just talking about the prostate. There are many cancers linked to lifestyles, such as those of the lung, respiratory tract or even the colon. Not only do men tend to take less care of their bodies, and also to be less monitored. As a result, diagnoses are often later and more dangerous than in women.
The male heart under pressure
Cardiovascular diseases, stroke, heart attack… Men remain the first victims of these pathologies and earlier than women (before the age of 50). The combination of a sedentary lifestyle, stress, smoking and an unbalanced diet forms a dangerous cocktail. But in addition, they do not benefit from the protective effect of estrogen that women benefit from before menopause. Knowing this, men should take care of their hearts from the age of 40.
A liver put to the test
When it comes to alcohol, men consume more, more often, and in a more risky manner. The liver takes it… until it gives in. Cirrhosis, steatosis, cancers: liver diseases progress silently, without pain or visible symptoms. And men worry about it a little too late.
Diabetes: the discreet enemy of the waistline
Type 2 diabetes affects more men than women in France, especially over the age of 40. For what ? Excess abdominal weight, common in men, promotes metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. But again, the disease often progresses silently. And many discover their diabetes when the complications are already there.
Mental health: a taboo with fatal consequences
Men’s mental health also remains a blind spot. Even though mental health has become a priority, men still rarely talk about their emotions, their stress or their discomfort. In fact, they consult less. Result: a suicide rate three times higher among men than among women, and underdiagnosed psychological disorders.
Men, lagging behind, to listen to their health
Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of True Medical, sees men caught up in their poor health regularly.
“Men are more affected than women by several serious illnesses, notably cancers and cardiovascular diseases. This excess male mortality is partly explained by specific behaviors, late prevention and a certain denial of the disease” he says.
Three typically masculine factors put them at greater risk:
- Dless frequent medical consultations.
“Men go to the doctor less often than women, especially before the age of 65: studies show that 80% of men have consulted a general practitioner in one year compared to 88% of women, and the gap is even more marked for specialists” emphasizes the doctor. In addition, men often wait until symptoms are serious or bothersome to consult, which delays the detection and treatment of illnesses; - Insufficient prevention and screening.
Men participate less in screening campaigns (cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases), which leads to diagnoses at more advanced stages, therefore less effective treatments and increased mortality; - Taboos and social norms still present. Men’s health remains a taboo: expressing pain or suffering is still perceived in 2025 as weakness, “which leads to minimizing or hiding symptoms, particularly for mental health and so-called “male” illnesses (prostate, testicles, erectile dysfunction).” Norms of virility also encourage people to ignore warning signs and adopt risky behaviors (alcohol, tobacco, dangerous driving, etc.). “For mental health, refusal to seek help worsens suffering and risk” finally underlines our expert.
Gentlemen take care of yourselves!
All these factors are not inevitable. According to our expert, several changes can help you age healthier
- Consult regularly, even in the absence of symptoms;
- Participate in recommended screenings (colorectal cancer, prostate, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases).
- Adopt preventive behaviors: balanced diet, physical activity, reduction of alcohol and tobacco consumption;
- Open up about your mental health, don’t hesitate to ask for help, and break the taboos around mental suffering;
- And don’t forget that early diagnosis significantly improves the prognosis and quality of life.
“Do not wait until you are ill to consult. Talking about your health is not a weakness but a strength. Prevention and screening save lives” concludes our expert.