Dr. Michael Lutz welcomes Dr. John Oliffe, Professor and Canada Research Chair in Men’s Health Promotion at the University of British Columbia, for a conversation about men’s health, mental health, prostate cancer, and the fear that often surrounds screening.
Dr. Oliffe explains that his interest in men’s health came from years working in emergency care, where he saw men deny serious symptoms even when they were clearly in distress. His grandfather’s death from prostate cancer also shaped his work. That personal and clinical experience led him to study how masculinity affects health behavior, illness management, and quality of life for men and their families.
A key theme is that men do not all respond to health concerns the same way. Some ignore symptoms or self-monitor. Others act when pain or function becomes a problem. Prostate cancer is complicated because men often have no symptoms, which can make screening feel less urgent. Dr. Oliffe says support groups can help because they level the playing field. They give men, partners, and families a place to talk honestly about diagnosis, treatment decisions, side effects, recurrence, and fear.
The conversation also focuses heavily on mental health. Dr. Oliffe says depression in men may not always look like sadness. It can show up as irritability, anger, substance use, work obsession, risk taking, or over-involvement in sports. He points to substance use, relationship breakdown, and depression as major predictors of suicide risk. That means clinicians need to ask better questions, including questions about relationships and stress.
Dr. Oliffe argues that messaging to men should be strength-based. Instead of repeating that men do not go to the doctor, health campaigns should explain the benefit of early action. He points to small, realistic changes as a useful approach. Men may respond better when health seeking is framed as staying strong for work, family, relationships, and themselves.
The prostate cancer portion centers on uncertainty. PSA screening can create anxiety, especially when messages about screening are inconsistent. Dr. Oliffe says primary care providers play a critical role in helping men understand the benefits and limits of PSA testing. Newer blood tests, MRI, and less invasive tools may reduce unnecessary biopsies and help men feel more comfortable entering the screening process.
The episode closes with a strong point: prostate cancer care should include mental health from the beginning. Men on active surveillance or going through treatment often carry the weight of diagnosis for years. Dr. Oliffe says care should account for partners, families, and the emotional toll of the disease, not just the medical pathway.
(00:00) Intro
(02:39) Running and self-managing mental health
(05:14) How men process fear and vulnerability
(07:21) Family and support after a prostate cancer diagnosis
(10:38) What health care misses about men’s distress
(13:03) Reframing mental health support as strength
(15:35) Life transitions as openings for better health
(18:04) Messaging that reaches men
(22:02) Mental health support in prostate cancer care
(27:00) Peer support and the ALEC model
(29:11) Fear before diagnosis and PSA screening
(31:24) Better messaging around PSA testing
(33:51) Newer tests and reducing anxiety
(37:35) Fear of knowing and early action
(41:14) Rethinking prostate cancer care
The On Call for Men's Health Podcast is produced by JAG Podcast Productions: https://jagpodcastproductions.com/
