Leading urologist urges men to take responsibility for their health
To mark Men’s Health Week, beginning 15 June, Professor Frank Chinegwundoh MBE is encouraging men, particularly those at higher risk, to take control of their health.
“Don’t rely on anyone else to remind you,” he says. “Take responsibility for your health.”
As a consultant urological surgeon at Newham Hospital for over 30 years, he has built a respected career in urology. He is an honorary professor at St George’s, where he trained and where his daughter now studies as a medical student, and was awarded an MBE in 2013 and 10 years later he was awarded a Freedom of the City of London.
He is also featured in the 100 Black British Doctors book, with a double-page spread telling his story, alongside his brother, also a doctor who previously worked at Newham and now practises at Kingston.
His research helped show that Black men are at significantly higher risk of prostate cancer.
“For Black men, there are several conditions we need to be aware of,” he says. “That includes prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, kidney problems and diabetes. Around 1 in 8 men will develop prostate cancer, but for Black men the risk rises to 1 in 4.”
His impact is seen in the patients he has helped. Just recently, he received a call from a former patient to say that advice he gave decades earlier had helped them conceive and their child had just turned 21. In another moment, a ward clerk shared that her father attended one of his community talks, got tested, and was diagnosed early, ultimately saving his life.
Reflecting on his career, he recalls being advised early on to shorten his surname because it was “too difficult” for people to pronounce, but he took inspiration from Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“He didn’t change his name, and he became a huge film star and politician, so there was no reason why I couldn’t succeed with mine.”
As Men’s Health Week gets underway, his message is clear:
“Get yourself checked out once a year. Know your blood pressure, your kidney function and, where appropriate, your PSA.”
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