Beyond the Moustache: Why Movember Matters for Men’s Health

Since 2003, the charity Movember has funded more than 1,250 men’s health projects around the world, aiming to help men live happier, healthier, longer lives.

On average, men are dying 4.5 years earlier than women, and for largely preventable reasons. Movember aims to shake up men’s health research and transform the way health services reach and support men.

Globally, testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men, a growing number of men (currently around 10.8 million globally) are facing life with a prostate cancer diagnosis. Across the world, one man dies by suicide every minute of every day, with males accounting for 69% of all suicides.

Movember’s Top Tips:

1

Spend time with people who make you feel good – Stay connected, your mates are important and spending time with them is good for you. Catch up regularly, check in and make time.
2

Talk, more – Men sometimes aren’t comfortable reaching out and opening up about life’s challenges – or they think they’ll be burdening their friends if they do. If someone you care about seems to be going through a tough time, they might not talk about it even if they want to. The first step in looking out for them is reaching out.
3

Know the numbers – At 50, talk to your doctor about prostate cancer. If you are of African or Caribbean descent, or have a father or brother with prostate cancer, you should be having this conversation at 45. Know your numbers, know your risk. Talk to your doctor.
4

Know Thy Nuts – Get to know what is normal for your testicles. Give them a check regularly and go to your doctor if something doesn’t feel right.
5
Move, more – Add more activity to your day. Do what makes you feel good. Take a walking meeting. Park further away from the station. Get off the bus a stop or two earlier. Instead of the lift, take the stairs. Cycle to work instead of driving.