Movember started back in 2003 in Australia. The founders were inspired to create a movement to fight male cancer and mental illness by growing mustaches, or a “mo”. These ‘Mo Bros’ are then encouraged to get friends, co-workers, and others to donate funds for more medical research. This movement is now a global event, with charities and fundraisers from all parts of the world, including the UK, Canada, Spain, and Ireland. The Movember campaign raised $147 million globally in 2012.
While men are growing their mo’s, they’re also urged to get screened for prostate and testicular cancer, or at least have a discussion about it a medical professional. Most men avoid going to the doctor’s, let alone talk about their health issues. This is concerning, considering how prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men. In fact, one in six men will be diagnosed with the disease.
Early detection is key – if detected and treated early, there is a 97 percent success rate for prostate cancer. Men over 40, African American men, and those who have a family history have a higher risk of developing the disease. Symptoms during the early stages are scarce, but men with prostate cancer may have trouble urinating, experience urinary incontinence, and find blood in the urine.
We’re now a little more than halfway through Movember. If your loved one is participating this year, we hope that he not only sports a luxurious ‘mo’, but learns about the health risks he may have and be proactive about it.