Movember is a global campaign to raise Men’s Health Awareness. This movement is celebrated in November. Men start to grow a mustache during this month and express their thoughts and feelings on this serious issue lightly.
People generally ignore the risk of poor men’s health, which leads to various problems. Health challenges like prostate cancer and mental health issues are the main focus of this campaign. So, if you want to learn more about Movember and want to contribute to it, read the blog till the end. From simple definition to its causes area, you will know what Movember is all about.
What is Movember?
Movember is summed by “Mo” and “November.” The prefix “Mo” is not just a simple prefix, but it denotes a mustache. Movember is a mustache-growing charity event that is held in November month.
Movember is an event that showcases men’s health and raises awareness about three of the significant men’s health risks: prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health issues. It is a global event, and Movember participants, known as Mo Bro and Mo Sisters, join the movement and dedicate to growing a mustache in the month.
What is the Story of Movember?
The origin of Movember is connected with the two mates from Melbourne, Australia. These mates were into a conversation in a bar in 2003, and out of nowhere, they started talking about recurring fashion trends. In no time, Travis Garone and Luke Slattery decided to grow a Mo with their other friends.
They took inspiration from a friend’s mother who was fundraising for breast cancer. Travis and Luke chose to create a campaign about men’s health and prostate cancer. It is how the Movember movement was born.
Why Did Movember Choose Men’s Health?
Do you know that the average life expectancy for men is five years less than women’s in the US? Men suffer numerous problems without sharing with anyone. 12% of men aged 18 or above suffer from poor health, and 1 in 2 men are diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Whether it is obesity or cardiovascular disease, men suffer more than women.
To break this cycle and bring awareness about men’s health to the people, Movember decided to step forward.
“The Movember Foundation aims to change this way of thinking by putting a fun twist on this serious issue. Using the mustache as a catalyst, the idea is to bring about change and give men the opportunity and confidence to learn and talk about their health and take action when needed.” – Movember
You understood the story of Movember. Now, let us learn more about their causes, area, and focus of interest.
What are the Causes Area of the Movember Movement?
The Movember movement focuses on three causes area. This is what they believe in.
1) Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death after lung cancer in America. Statistics show that about 1 man in 41 dies due to prostate cancer. The death rate of prostate cancer declined from 1993 to 2013. However, since 2013, there has been a spike in cancer due to the neglected detection.
The risk factors of prostate cancer are:
- Men aged more than 50
- More possibility in African-American men
- Family history of prostate cancer
- Unhealthy lifestyle
The Movember movement believes in making changes and taking action for prostate cancer. They focus on innovation and collaboration by uniting researchers and experts in the field of prostate health. By doing this, Movember wants to chase down the breakthrough in prostate cancer- from early detection to diagnosis, treatment, and possible support.
To tackle prostate cancer, live a healthy life and detect it early. Its symptoms include- blood in urine or semen, erectile dysfunction, and pain during urination.
2) Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is the last but not the least cause area of Movember. However, this cancer is not common in men. It usually affects the younger men in the US. Statistics show that about 1 of every 250 males develop testicular cancer at some point in their lives.
Symptoms of testicular cancer are:
- Swelling in either testicle
- The feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
- Ache in the lower belly
- Lower back pain
- Bloody sputum
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
Most of the testicular cancer cases are treatable and successful. The risk of dying of this cancer is tiny- about 1 in 5,000.
3) Mental Health Issues
Mental health issues are the biggest issues that men suffer from. Not because it’s deadly but because men feel embraced by it. Statistics show that 40% of men have never spoken about their mental state.
The reason behind this is that they feel if they open up about their mental health, they will become a burden to their loved ones. Men deny admitting to having anxiety or depression because they excuse it with “I’ve learned to deal with it.”
Moreover, suicide is another reason for men dying at a young age. In the US, suicide is the second most common cause of death for men under age 45. Roughly 105 men die due to suicide every day.
The Movember moment has started to bring awareness of mental health issues and the high prevalence of it in men. It focuses on building a great network and igniting mental health-related topics in conversations with family and friends.
Symptoms of Mental health problems are:
- Worrying
- Feeling depressed all-day
- Feeling worthless
- Faster breathing in anxiety
- Irregular heartbeat
Mental health issues are problems that can be cured. However, due to negligence in the matter, people go through depression alone. Having mental health issues doesn’t mean you are weak or aren’t capable of doing things on your own, but it simply means that you have emotions that make you feel this way.
3 Tips to Improve Men’s Health
1) Eat Healthy
Dieting is a new trend in the health industry. But instead of dieting, you should focus on eating healthy foods. A well-planned diet will never disappoint you. It will help to balance your body weight and prevent obesity. Plus, it will also protect you from cardiovascular health issues.
The intake of nutrients and vitamins strengthens the body and safeguards you from numerous dangerous diseases.
2) Quit Unhealthy Lifestyle
Unhealthy habits like smoking and excessive drinking are dangerous for the health. Practicing these habits increases the risk of oral and throat cancer in men. Quitting tobacco helps to improve the oxygen level in the body, and you may also experience improved smell and taste.
Furthermore, unhealthy habits like sleeping and waking up late imbalance the body. An adult needs to have 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
3) Prioritize Your Mental Health
Mental health is as important as any other health. The way you think and your emotional state all depends on your daily activities. Practice self-care to improve your mental health.
Spend time with your loved ones and talk about your day. Raise awareness of mental health issues in your family and friends. Having an emotional breakdown is nothing to be ashamed of. It is a way to express an uneasy situation.
Word from DealOnPill
We, the team of DealOnPill, support Movember and encourage men to spread the word about men’s health. Start the movement from your home. Talk with your family and close friends about mental health. Suffering from a health condition is not a matter of embracement.
You can learn more about Movember from their website www.movember.com. It is now time to change the world and live with pride!
