Beyond Stoicism: Surprising Truths About Men's Mental Health During Cancer
Date: Wednesday 26 Nov 2025
The Unseen Battle
When we think of a cancer diagnosis, our minds often jump to the physical struggle: the treatments, the side effects, the fight for recovery.
It is a gruelling, tangible war fought against the body. But alongside this visible battle, an unseen one unfolds, a psychological fight that can be equally demanding. For men, this internal conflict is often worsened by a lifetime of societal pressures and expectations around strength, stoicism, and self-reliance.
A major challenge in supporting men's mental health during cancer is that their symptoms often do not align with the textbook definitions of depression or anxiety. While clinicians might look for obvious sadness or worry, psychological distress in men is usually expressed as irritability, withdrawal, or physical complaints.
Only by recognising these hidden challenges can we develop a system that helps men not just survive their cancer but thrive beyond it. The only question that remains is:
What could change if we began to define strength not by silent endurance, but by the courage to seek support?
Explore more in our article below:
