Men’s Health Matters: Prevention, Signals & Action in Male Cancer
Ali Orhan
Ali Orhan is the Chief Executive at Orchid, an organization committed to supporting men with male cancer. He is also the Director, Active Participation in Male Cancer Awareness, in Prisons Programme. Ali has over 30 years of executive management experience in the field of Public Health, specialising in cancer prevention and HIV. A trained nurse and qualified social worker, Ali is a BSc Honours graduate of Sociology Applied Social Studies with CQSW (Certificate of Qualification in Social Work). Ali is known for his innovative, mixed-media approaches to health messaging. He developed and produced the acclaimed short film, “A Letter to my Unpresented Self” to help healthcare professionals better understand diagnosis of prostate cancer in the black African and black Caribbean communities. As a passionate advocate of accessible and inclusive services, Ali believes the intersectional experiences of marginalised people’s lives must be recognised and addressed if the gap between poor health outcomes for different communities is to be reduced.
- Recording: Yes
- Language: English
- Duration: 45 min / 15 min
Session Summary
Join Ali Orhan, CEO of Orchid and a veteran in public health and cancer awareness, for a crucial session focused on the prevention, early detection, and understanding of male cancers. Drawing on his experience leading awareness programmes and health messaging campaigns, Ali will guide participants through key risk factors, telltale signs and symptoms to watch for, and practical steps individuals and organizations can take to act early. By demystifying the disease journey and empowering proactive behaviors, this session helps foster a healthier, better-informed population, both male and female.
Interaction
During the expert session, engages participants through a series of interactive activities and Q&A.
Key Learnings
- Prioritizing Prostate Health: Regular check-ups, including PSA tests and digital rectal exams, are essential for early detection and treatment of prostate conditions.
- Creating Supportive Networks: Encouraging open communication about prostate health concerns, offering emotional support to partners, and creating a supportive work environment can help alleviate fears and improve mental wellbeing during challenging times.
- Overcoming Barriers to Early Detection: Overcoming embarrassment or fear, prioritizing health, and getting checked out as soon as possible are crucial steps in achieving optimal health outcomes through early detection of various conditions.
Detailed session description
In his compelling lecture, Ali Orhan, CEO of Orchid, tackles the silent crisis of men's health by focusing on the critical need for prostate cancer awareness. He highlights that while this is now the most common cancer among men in the UK, a persistent culture of silence often prevents early diagnosis. Orhan strips away the stigma, providing a clear and urgent guide to understanding a condition that many prefer to ignore until it is too late.
The session explores risk factors that individuals cannot change, such as age, family history, and ethnicity. Orhan points out the staggering statistic that Black men face a one in four risk, double that of the general population. He details the specific physical signs that demand attention, from changes in urinary habits to unexplained lower back pain, urging men to stop dismissing these symptoms as mere side effects of getting older.
At its heart, the lecture is designed to demystify the diagnostic process and alleviate the fear surrounding medical examinations. Orhan speaks candidly about blood tests and physical checks, reassuring men that these procedures are vital medical tools that do not define their masculinity. By sharing powerful stories of those who navigated the journey alone versus those with support, he emphasizes that transparency with loved ones is a strength. This session serves as an essential call to action to prioritize health over embarrassment and catch potential issues while they are still treatable.
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