'Silent crisis': half of Aussie men delay health checks

Cost pressures have led men to delay seeing a GP in research findings described as a wake-up call. (Alan Porritt/AAP PHOTOS)

Cost pressures drive Australian men to delay health checks and stretch their medication, with research revealing half postpone medical appointments.

About one in 10 men have also reduced or skipped prescribed doses to make their medication last longer, according to findings released by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

The findings are a wake-up call on a silent crisis in men's health, the foundation's chief executive Anne Savage says.

"These finds are a significant concern," she told AAP.

"For too many men, cost is becoming a barrier to care, and that has real consequences.

"Cost of living is really impacting the lives and the health of Australians."

One in 10 men reduce or skip doses to make their medication last longer, the research has found. (Flavio Brancaleone/AAP PHOTOS)

The research released ahead of Men's Health Week surveyed more than 1300 men nationwide, finding 51 per cent had delayed or avoided seeing a healthcare professional due to cost concerns.

Meanwhile, 57 per cent of respondents admitted that healthcare is expensive, and 92 per cent believed the government should do more to reduce healthcare costs.

The research also found the cost of private health insurance remains a significant barrier to accessing care for many.

Ms Savage says it's vital to keep conversations about men's health going to raise awareness, improve understanding and encourage preventive action.

She told AAP it's important for men to take proactive steps in managing their health, particularly when it comes to early detection and regular check-ups. 

"We know that when men suffer, their wives, partners and their children also suffer (along) with our community," she said.

Delaying GP visits and stretching medications increases the risk of a delayed diagnosis. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, accounting for one in three cancer diagnoses among men. 

While 96 per cent of respondents agreed prostate cancer was a major impact on men's quality of life, they noted stigma and high costs continue to create major hurdles in seeking help.

"We need to normalise men seeking help, remove the financial barriers, and support early detection," Ms Savage said.

"When men put off seeing a GP or stretch their medications just to get by, we increase the risks of delayed diagnosis of a range of serious illnesses and disease, including prostate cancer."