MAN, health is the main thing

Did you notice an unusually large number of men sporting a moustache last month? That wasn’t just some fashion trend, but a way for men around the world to show their commitment to men’s health as part of “Movember”. The movement was brought into being by a group of Australian men who wanted to do something for research into and the prevention of prostate and testicular cancer, as well as other health problems faced by men. To draw attention to the campaign, participants grow a moustache in November in the hope of generating conversations about men's health. The health of its employees is also a matter particularly close to the heart of Krones, which is why Health Management launched a number of activities centred around men's health in November. “About 80 percent of our employees are men, and given that we had already run a campaign focused on breast cancer in October 2023, we thought it was time to raise awareness among men of screening, testicular and prostate cancer,” explains Stefanie Drenda of Krones Health Management. “We in Health Management joined forces with the Krones health insurance scheme (BKK) and our senior company doctor Uwe Hott to publish a three-part newsletter on testicular and prostate cancer. We also held a webinar on the prevention, early detection and treatment of prostate cancer, and got the professional handball players, twins Michael and Uli Roth, to come to Neutraubling for a presentation. This was streamed on Teams as well so that anyone else in the German plants who was interested could also take part online.” 

An encouraging story from sufferers 

This last example was without a doubt also the highlight of the campaign, with Uli and Michael Roth relating their own experience of prostate cancer. The now 62-year-olds took the some 170 participants into their past and talked about their careers as handball professionals. Until, in 2009, came the shock diagnosis: prostate cancer. “Fortunately, the many precautionary checks that are carried out in professional sport meant that we got the diagnosis pretty early. Since our operations it has had next to no impact on our lives,” Michael says. “That’s why screening is really important,” Uli adds, “because by the time you feel the cancer, it’s usually already too late.” That is the reason they are constantly campaigning in their books, in appearances on television or in the form of presentations for more men to take advantage of the preventative services that are available and not to take their health lightly. By opening up conversations about these issues and showing an interest, they encourage men to talk about the subject with each other, make appointments for screening and actually go to them.  

The twins also emphasised that women, too, can do something for the health of their fathers, brothers, husbands or friends. And even if someone does get the disease, the twins want to offer sufferers hope and courage: “Prostate cancer doesn't necessarily mean impotence or incontinence. We can enjoy our lives almost without any limitations – in fact, even more consciously than before.”  

“We want the ‘Men's health’ campaign to remind employees of both sexes of just how important prevention is. The huge response given to the presentations demonstrated that there is interest in these issues and that many men – and women, too – are willing to take active steps for the sake of their health. It goes without saying that we hope the campaign has created an open and supportive atmosphere and has encouraged employees to go for screening,” Stefanie Drenda says, summing up.