If you haven’t noticed by now, some of
the men in your life may have been suavely sporting soup-strainers, crumb catchers, handlebars, or (for lack
of a better word) moustaches this month in support of a global campaign called “Movember” to raise awareness
and funds for prostate cancer.
Movember started about
eight years ago in Melbourne when some Aussie gents joked about how the “mo,” or moustache, needed to make a
comeback. Putting their ‘staches to good use, they decided to raise money and awareness for men’s health
issues, specifically prostate cancer.
The initiative sparked a
movement that spread to various countries with formal campaigns in Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., Canada,
the UK, Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa and Ireland. On the first of November — marking the
start of “Movember” — men around the world began with a clean shaven face and continue to grow and groom
their moustaches throughout the month and collect donations while engaging their friends and family in
discussions about men’s health.
Each year, the campaign
grows in size as the use of social media, including Facebook, Twitter and mobile phone apps, brings the
global campaign to a new level, connecting everyone, even women, to the cause. While women (or Mo Sistas)
don’t grow moustaches, they can help start the sometimes hairy conversation of men’s health matters and
supporting their Mo Bros men who registered individually or in teams on Movember.com could interact with the
Movember community by personalizing their “Mo Space” on the website with pictures, videos and status updates
showcasing their moustache progress and fundraising efforts.
This November was the 5th
Movember campaign in Canada raising funds for
Prostate Cancer
Canada.
Last year, almost 119,000 Canadians raised over $22 million for the foundation. Even though prostate cancer
is the most common cancer to affect Canadian men, if it is detected and treated early, 90 per cent of cases
are curable.
Prostate Cancer
Canada recommends men over the age of 40 consult with their doctors to complete a
prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood testing to establish a PSA baseline level, followed by a digital rectal
examination for early detection of prostate cancer. The PSA test should be repeated every five years (unless
there is a history of prostate cancer in the family, in which case it should be done once a year) until the
age of 50 when it is suggested that the test be done annually or semi-annually.
As November dwindles on
its last remaining days, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas will celebrate their month long journey with a Mo Party or
with the larger community at Movember Gala Partés across the country where Mo Bros have a chance to win
prizes and claim the highly coveted “Man of Movember” title.
With one “mo” day of
Movember left, some Mo Bros (including the ones here at Lifestyler) have been eagerly waiting to shave their
moustaches off, but there are sure to be those who will keep their moustaches and join the distinguished
ranks of Clark Gable, Sean Connery and Tom Selleck.
For more information about
Prostate Cancer, visit prostatecancer.ca
For more information
about Movember, visit ca.movember.com/?home •
Photo Courtesy: Movember
Foundation
