Kolkata : Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, a unit of
one of the largest healthcare providers of India – Manipal Hospital Group,
hosted a special Men’s Health Awareness Session today to highlight critical
health concerns among men, with a specific focus on prostate-related conditions
and mental well-being. The gathering aimed to dismantle the silence often
surrounding men’s health issues, encouraging early diagnosis, emotional
openness and informed decision-making among patients and families. The
programme was conducted by Dr. Bastab Ghosh, Senior Consultant – Urology and
Uro-Oncology, and Ms. Sahely Ganguly, Consultant – Clinical Psychologist
at Manipal Hospital Dhakuria in the presence of Mr. Dilip Kumar Roy, Hospital
Director, Manipal Hospital, Dhakuria.
In India, men's health often remains a neglected subject despite growing
evidence of disease burden. Studies indicate that nearly 60% of Indian men
delay seeking medical care, largely due to stigma, lack of awareness and
prioritising family responsibilities. According to recent national health
statistics, prostate disorders affect almost one in six men above the age of
50, with many cases detected only at advanced stages. In addition,
emotional distress among men often goes unreported surveys have shown that over
40% of men hesitate to talk about mental health challenges. This lack of
communication results in delayed treatment, higher risk of complications and
increased caregiver burden. The Men’s Health Awareness programme aims to
address these gaps by encouraging conversations, early screening and
psychological openness so that men recognise symptoms early and seek timely
intervention.
The programme commenced with a welcome note from Mr. Dilip
Kumar Roy, who underscored the need to redirect focus toward preventive and
timely healthcare for men. He remarked, “Men often place family
responsibilities above their own health, overlooking symptoms until they
escalate into serious complications. At Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, we believe
in driving conversations that strengthen community well-being. While men ensure
the welfare of their families, they seldom prioritise their own physical and
emotional needs. This session is a meaningful step towards encouraging them to
take charge of their health and acknowledge the importance of seeking care
early.”
Speaking during the session, Dr. Bastab Ghosh shared,
“Prostate-related conditions often remain undetected for long periods because
they progress silently, and many men ignore early signs assuming them to be
routine age-related changes. As age increases, so does the risk, which is why
regular screening after 50 becomes extremely critical. Prostate cancer in
Indian subcontinent region is much more aggressive as compared to western world
and here comes the importance of early detection. We need to conduct more
awareness-driven and educational initiatives to encourage individuals to
prioritise regular check-ups. It is equally important to sensitise care
providers so they can actively promote screening and early detection of
prostate cancer. Early diagnosis leads to far better treatment outcomes,
smoother recovery, and helps prevent long-term complications. Unfortunately, many
patients come to us only after the condition has advanced. Conversations like
today’s are essential. they help men realise that seeking help early is not a
weakness, but a responsibility they owe to themselves and to their families.”
The session also featured heartfelt accounts from three
individuals, Pranab Sarkar, Bidyut Roy and Rajesh Bhattacharya, who underwent
prostate surgery under the care of Dr. Bastab Ghosh. They shared brief
reflections on their journey from early symptoms to recovery, highlighting how
Dr. Ghosh’s timely intervention and compassionate guidance restored their
health and confidence. Their experiences reinforced the importance of early
screening and specialist-led care for anyone facing similar concerns.
A dedicated patient-to-patient interaction segment further
enriched the conversation, as participants discussed how they first identified
symptoms, whom they approached for help, the role of their families, the
emotional stress following diagnosis, and the transformation they experienced
after treatment. This open exchange encouraged shared learning, emotional
reassurance and peer support, helping attendees recognise that despite the
challenges, their journeys were never solitary.
The session also featured heartfelt accounts from three
individuals, Pranab Sarkar, Bidyut Roy and Rajesh Bhattacharya, who underwent
prostate surgery under the care of Dr. Bastab Ghosh. They shared brief
reflections on their journey from early symptoms to recovery, highlighting how
Dr. Ghosh’s timely intervention and compassionate guidance restored their
health and confidence. Their experiences reinforced the importance of early
screening and specialist-led care for anyone facing similar concerns.
During the programme, Clinical Psychologist Ms. Sahely
Ganguly shared, “Men’s mental health is a growing silent crisis, with many
experiencing under-diagnosed conditions and untreated emotional distress driven
by societal expectations that men must always be strong, resilient, and
self-reliant. These pressures often cause men to hide their emotions, avoid
seeking help, or turn to unhealthy coping strategies. To address this, we need male-friendly,
stigma-free approaches that normalise emotional expression, use non-judgmental
language, and provide gender-responsive care. After prostatectomy,
psychotherapy helps by reframing intimacy and reducing performance pressure by
strengthening communication between couples and shifting the goal from ‘I must
perform’ to ‘we must connect’.’’
The programme concluded with an engaging Q&A session
where senior citizens from the neighbourhood raised queries related to
screening frequency, post-treatment lifestyle changes, emotional counselling,
long-term side-effects and family support. Experts provided clear guidance,
reassuring attendees that proactive health consultations, coupled with
transparency and open dialogue, can significantly improve both physical
recovery and emotional resilience.