Strength in vulnerability: cancer survivor urges Shoalhaven men to break the health silence
Matt Cross knows a bit about the health challenges that men face. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue readingAll articles from our websiteThe digital version ofToday'sPaperAll otherin your. . .
Matt Cross knows a bit about the health challenges that men face. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue readingAll articles from our websiteThe digital version ofToday'sPaperAll otherin your areaHe was just 39 when diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer, leading to 18cm of his bowel being removed and six months of chemotherapy. Shadow parliamentary secretary for men's health, Matt Cross, and Liberal candidate for Kiama, Serena Copley, met with people involved in a range of Shoalhaven men's organisations to discuss health issues on June 30. Picture by Glenn Ellard. As he spoke in Bomaderry to a group of people involved in men's social and health organisations, Mr Cross said the cancer could have easily ended his life because, like many men, he was reluctant to see a doctor despite being anaemic and not feeling right. "I didn't do anything about it," he said. That was until his wife booked them both in for health checks, and they found the cancer just in time. "If they hadn't found it when they did it would have metastasised and I wouldn't have made it," Mr Cross said. The shadow parliamentary secretary for men's health used his visit to the Shoalhaven to promote the importance of men looking after their physical and mental health. That started with talking. "We're not talking about our health when we should be, we're not talking about our mental health," Mr Cross said. While many men found admitting they were struggling, revealing personal details to be uncomfortable, "Talking about your vulnerability is actually a strength," he said. "Men, your health matters and your mental health matters, and there are people out there who want to support you in making sure you can reach your full potential," Mr Cross said. He was joined on the visit by Liberal candidate for Kiama, Serena Copley, who said the Liberals planned to develop a 10-year strategy to guide men's and boys' health, because "We want to make sure that men feel supported, and that we build a strategy around their needs. "There were also plans to hold a two-day summit next year bringing together a range of health experts to discuss "how we communicate with men, and how men are able to communicate their health needs," Ms Copley said. She said men's health had been ignored for too long, and society was suffering because of it - including the high rate of male suicides. "If we've got strong, happy, supported men then we've got strong, happy, supported communities and that's what I'll be 100 per cent behind," Ms Copley said. More from HealthAs it happensBreaking news alertBe the first to know when news breaks.