As men’s health awareness month Movember comes to a close, Equipsme founder and managing director Matthew Reed speaks to Health & Protection about being tested for prostate cancer, securing an appointment quickly due to the company’s own benefits offering and why his experience has meant he is now more than happy to talk about his willy in public.
Noticing worrying symptoms
“I’d started to notice changes with my wee,” Reed told Health & Protection. “Things like increased urgency during the day, trouble emptying my bladder, and having to stop more times than I was used to when I was on the road.”
Reed explains that a few years back he had undergone a full MOT as a requirement from Equipsme’s investors.
This included a PSA test, he added. “It came back normal, but after that I carried on doing a periodical home urine test – basically detecting any blood in the urine as an early warning system for all sorts of male problems.
“So given my symptoms, at the end of the summer I decided it was time to do another one – and it came back positive for a trace of blood.
“As I’ve gotten older I’ve been more aware of my health, and working in the health and protection sector certainly plays a part in that. I knew there were potentially lots of innocent reasons for my symptoms, but I also knew enough about prostate cancer that I didn’t want to mess around.”
Men put things off
But Reed maintains his attitude towards getting tested contrasts with most men.
“I think men still do that – we find other things to focus on that we think are more important than ourselves,” he continued.
“We put things off, put it all down to stress, don’t talk about it – don’t admit to being vulnerable. That really has to stop. We all need to be talking about our private parts more – and our worries more – and going for help when we need it.”
Not having to wait
And the need to take action was even more pressing for Reed due to some of the longest waits in the country for NHS treatment where he lives in the South West.
“I didn’t want to hang around waiting for an NHS GP appointment – and then waiting for an NHS urology referral to come through,” Reed continued.
“This is exactly why we set up Equipsme – as an alternative route to quick answers and quality care.
“So I put our product to the test my and called up the Equipsme GP service, provided by Health Hero. I was chatting with a doctor 24 hours later, and they gave me an open referral letter. Then I was on to Axa Health to find urology consultants in my area. I got an appointment at my local hospital in mid-September.
“I very much appreciated being able to pick my own consultant and the hospital which had the soonest appointment within sensible driving distance. And the service when I got there was brilliant.
“The consultant listened to me and did the old finger up the bum routine on the spot. He also ordered a PSA blood test and an ultrasound, which took place within days.”
The good news Reed relates was that the consultant could not feel any lumps and bumps on his prostate and his ultrasound also came back clear.
“But the PSA test results were borderline, so he called me up and suggested we re-run it,” Reed adds. “Rather than going back to a hospital he sent me to my local GP practice, who were great and booked me in three days later.
“The thing is, the NHS are great when they’ve got a concrete directive, when you can tell them exactly what you need. It’s the investigative stuff that seems to take the time, and I’m really grateful I didn’t have to wait.”
No-one wants to consult Dr Google
Reed further maintains the fact that his company benefits have enabled to get answers so quickly has really helped him during such a worrying time.
“No one wants to have to sit around and worry after consulting Dr Google. I’m still awaiting the next PSA results, and if they’re still dodgy the next step is an MRI scan. I won’t have to wait long for that either. And there’s a clear path and a way forward.
“Whatever happens, I’ve got the peace of mind that if something is going on I’m going to catch it as early as possible. With something like prostate cancer that makes a huge difference. Cancer Research reckons that if it’s caught at stage 1, nearly 100% of people survive for five years after their prostate cancer diagnosis. At stage 4, that drops to 50%.
“I think we’re much more aware now – thanks to campaigns like Movember – of signs, symptoms and the crucial importance of early detection. Spreading the word is incredibly important, which is why I’m more than happy to talk about my willy in public.”
NHS and private sector working together
Touching on the most effective parts of the service, Reed pointed to the way in which the NHS and the private sector have been able to interact to get him the best and fastest care.
“As a sector (health insurance), what we do should be about protecting individuals, but also about protecting and relieving pressure from the NHS,” he maintains. “The two can and do work together. It’s not a them and us scenario – modern healthcare really needs to move on from that.
“Without Equipsme, I would have been on the internet filling the vacuum with worse case scenarios. That’s not good for anyone. As it is, I can get answers, and get on with my life.”
A seamless journey
But Reed further points to how seamless and smooth using the cover in the Equipsme plan has been.
“I want that for more people – and particularly people who didn’t think they’d ever have access to a more expensive PMI product,” he continues.
“I think everyone right now would love to have some sort of private health insurance in place to work with NHS services.”
Reed backs up this assertion by pointing to a report from the Independent Healthcare Providers Network demonstrating that public attitudes to private health are changing
“More than half of UK adults are feeling positive or very positive about it, and nearly three quarters of under 34s actively considering it,” he continues.
“NHS waiting times have a huge part to play in that. But cost is still the major barrier. It’s why so many are looking to employers to help them access it – with private health insurance fast becoming one of the most sought-after benefits.
“What we do at Equipsme is take up that middle ground, between really expensive bells and whistles PMI, and cheap and old-fashioned cash plans.
“I think opening up that access and democratising private health is crucial in supporting individuals to stay well, employers to stay competitive and productive, and the NHS to stay open for business.”