Movember Has Arrived
What is Movember?
Movember, taking place in November, is the time of year when the world comes together to raise awareness for men's health issues.
Movember humbly began in Australia in 2003 when two regular guys wanted to bring back the mustache, a dying fashion trend. They decided to put their faces to a good cause and fundraise in support of men's health. They started with just 30 people and raised $0, but that didn't discourage them. Fast-forward to today, Movember has had over 5 million participants worldwide, $994 million raised in funding, and over 1250 men's health projects funded globally.
So what health issues are we talking about?
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men under 40 and the easiest to go unnoticed. However (95%), survival rates are high, so it is essential to complete your annual physical and regularly self-check. If you have a family history of testicular cancer, you are at higher risk (https://us.movember.com/).
Prostate cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer for men, affecting 1 in 7 men during their lifetime (WHO). Prostate cancer screening should be an informed individual decision. A simple blood test called the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test can be used to screen for prostate cancer. The potential risks and gains should be discussed with your doctor. This FREE decision guide can be completed to bring to your doctors visit to help start the conversation. It is recommended to start a conversation with your doctor by the age of 50 regarding prostate cancer screening. If you are African American you need to start the conversation at 45. If your brother or father was diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age should you should start this conversation earlier at 40. If symptoms develop, it is vital to get it checked right away. Read about prostate cancer symptoms here.
Globally, men are at least three times more likely to die by suicide due to a mental illness than women are (from the latest WHO statistics in 2016). Men are less likely to talk about their feelings or ask for help. That silence causes us to lose 60 men an hour to suicide across the world https://us.movember.com/.
Physical inactivity accounts for 3.2 million death globally (latest WHO stats 2008) and 40% of American men do not get enough physical activity to achieve health benefits.
What can you do to raise awareness?
It's simple. Grow a mustache! The mustache is a great icebreaker - a conversation starter. It opens the door for you to educate and inspire others to take care of their health and spread awareness. It gets us all talking about problems that may have gone unnoticed – spreading awareness to our brothers, fathers, nephews and friends.
Beyond the mustache growth, there are several challenges you can take part in on the official Movember site https://us.movember.com/ including Move in Movember challenge walking or running 60 miles in a month (for the 60 men an hour we lose to suicide).
Alternatively, ask around the workplace or community if there are any fundraisers you can join. Check out ways to get involved in Cayman and Bermuda on their respective Movember sites – Cayman: http://movember.ky/ and Bermuda HERE.
Better yet – start a group yourself. The global Movember site has all the tools you need to get started and join the movement.
How Zest Wellness will be supporting you:
Throughout the entire month, we will be sharing men's health tips and resources in your community on our blog and social media (be sure to follow @cgzestwellness on Facebook and Instagram). The grand finale? A webinar with the Zest Wellness lads (and their stashes) not to be missed!
