Movember is Saving Men’s Lives, One Mustache at a Time

(Originally Posted on Nov 25, 2014)

If the men you see around town seem a bit hairier than usual right about now, don’t assume it’s protection against the impending colder weather.

It could be they are participating in Movember, a fundraising and awareness campaign to draw attention to men’s health.

Ladies, for the men in your life, read on to learn how you can help keep him healthy and well for many years to come.

What is Movember About?

The point of the initiative, as the Movember Foundation says, is to “change the face of men’s health” and help fund programs to improve the lives of men who have been impacted by prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health issues.

Interested parties sign up the beginning of November to either be a “mo sista” or a “mo bro”. The men raise awareness by growing their facial hair and the women support the men in their life by raising funds for the cause.

Why do we need a special month to raise awareness about men’s health? Consider the statistics:

• One in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
• Testicular cancer is the most common cause of cancer in men aged 15-35 years old.
• One in four Americans will experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime.
• Men are four times as likely to commit suicide during a depressive episode as women.

Men Need to Pay Attention to Their Health

Participating in the Movember campaign isn’t the only way to support men’s health. Men are 24 percent less likely than women to have a visited a doctor within the past year; often it is the women in their lives that gets a man to the health care provider. You can be aware and share important men’s health information.

For example, it is recommended that men over 50 should undergo a yearly digital rectal exam to screen for prostate cancer and should begin blood testing for prostatic specific antigen at that same age.

Men of any age should be aware of warning signs of prostate problems:

• Difficulty urinating or pain with urination
• Frequent urination
• Pain on ejaculation

In addition, it is important to be aware of some signs and symptoms that may be related to testicular cancer or an infection in the testicles including unexplained masses or lumps, swelling or pain.

If your significant other or someone in your family has any of these warning signs, encourage him to see the doctor immediately. A simple exam could save their life!

REFERENCES

The Movember Foundation: http://us.movember.com/

AHRQ: Men’s Health: http://www.ahrq.gov/patients-consumers/patient-involvement/healthy-men/index.html

WebMD: Factsheet About Prostate Cancer: http://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/guide/prostate-cancer-when-to-seek-care

American Cancer Society: Signs of Testicular Problems: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/testicularcancer/moreinformation/doihavetesticularcancer/do-i-have-testicular-cancer-signs-of-problems