Matt Dionne | Sports and Health Editor
Featured image: One in eight men are affected by prostate cancer, a disease that is manageable with early detection. | Victoria Fung
You’ve probably noticed an increase in the number of guys rocking facial hair over the last few weeks. While these blossoming beards and mustaches could be a sign of an influx of hipsters on campus, a more likely reason is Movember.
Movember, which first launched in 2003 in Australia and came to Canada four years later, is best known for raising funds towards prostate cancer research and awareness for men’s health. Aside from prostate cancer, Movember grazes topics such as testicular cancer and men’s mental health and suicide prevention, according to Cassandra Tatone, PR specialist at Movember Canada.
“In Canada, men die on average six years younger than women for no biological reason. It’s incredibly important to get men talking about their health and about tough issues, encouraging them to get checked and also funding programs to aid in research that will help these issues in the future,” says Tatone.
By signing up at Movember’s site, supporters can raise funds for their own campaign or support others while growing a mustache, which serves as a symbol for men’s health awareness. However, you don’t have to be able to grow a mustache to participate; women and children can also participate in Movember by participating in a fitness challenge called “move” or hosting a Movember event, adds Tatone.
Movember events range from board game tournaments and trivia nights to galas or spin events. “There are so many ways to have fun and fundraise for the cause,” says Tatone.
The money raised goes to over 1,200 Movember programs across 21 countries.
According to the Canadian Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer for Canadians, affecting one in eight men.
“When a man turns 40, he should get tested yearly during his annual physical, especially if there is a family history of the disease. Many men do not do this; many men do not have an annual physical at all,” says Michael Connor, a Faculty of Health professor.
Symptoms that could be indicative of prostate cancer include changes in bladder habits, such as the need to urinate often, especially at night; inability to urinate; interrupted urine stream; a sense of incompletely emptying the bladder; burning or pain during urination; blood in the urine or semen; and painful ejaculation, according to Connor.
The main risk factor for prostate cancer is familial history, but Connor says there are other factors to consider, including “a diet high in fat and dairy products, a diet high in red or processed meats, being overweight or obese, […] exposure to high levels of testosterone, tall adult height, exposure to pesticides [and] occupational exposures.”
Getting tested for prostate cancer is extremely important. “Early detection may improve the chances of successful therapy. It can be a double-edged sword, as no test for prostate cancer is 100 per cent reliable, and false positive results can lead to unnecessary treatment,” he adds.
Connor advocates for Movember. “As someone engaged in prostate cancer research, I like to think I participate all year in a small way. I do participate in the awareness campaign by growing a poor moustache, and I donate to prostate cancer research during ‘Movember’,” adds Connor.
According to Tatone, the most important takeaway from Movember is that men are dying at a young age. “To stop this, we need everyone to join the fight. Find someone you know who is participating in Movember and donate to their Mo Space, leave an encouraging comment and support the men in your life,” she says.
These topics are so confisung but this helped me get the job done.
One or two to rebermem, that is.