With support from Sun Life Financial, the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the Canadian Men's Health Foundation (CMHF) have launched YouCheck, an anonymous online tool that men can use to assess their risk for serious illnesses.

The site is programmed to analyze medical factors and answers related to family history and symptoms to produce a personal risk profile. It will make recommendations, such as visiting a physician, if necessary. It is meant to help men assess their susceptibility to illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, depression, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, low testosterone, and osteoporosis.

The sponsors of YouCheck point out that risk factors for certain diseases can vary widely between men and women. For example, on average Canadian men experience nine years of poor health and disability before death, are 40% more likely to die from cancer than women, and are 57% more likely to die from diabetes.

The CMHF is working with the UBC to oversee pilot testing of the YouCheck web site. A similar tool for women is in development and will be launched in about a year’s time.