Movember

Its Movember! Yes. You read it right. We are not talking about the month of November. Its M…. M for Moustache. 

From time immemorial, moustache has been associated with bravery, manliness and acts of glory. When Moustache became the mascot for November, Movember took shape. 

Movember is a sincere effort to raise awareness on men’s health issues, such as anxiety, prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide. 
It is an annual event where growing of a moustache during the month of November is encouraged to pledge your support for the cause.

The movement is led by Movember Foundation. The Movember movement sprouted in Australia. Spread in 21 countries, Movember is now the largest men’s health awareness movement in the world. 

Grow a Mo

Grow a Mo this Movember, and you can stop men dying too young – thus goes the motto of Movember. It aims to increase early cancer detection, diagnosis and effective treatments, and ultimately reduce the number of preventable deaths.  Movember Foundation believes in using the power of the moustache to create conversation and raise funds for men’s health. The point is to get people asking why you are growing a moustache and grab the opportunity to talk about the movement and its charity events.

Mo Bro 

The charity refers to men as Mo Bros. Once you register at movember.com, you become a Mo Bro. Each Mo Bro must begin the 1st of Movember with a clean shaven face. For the entire month of Movember, you must grow and groom a moustache. Movember Foundation doesn’t approve of beards, goatees and fake moustaches. 

Fund Raising 

Since 2004, the Movember Foundation charity has used Movember to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues in Australia and New Zealand. Monetary proceeds go toward the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, the Cancer Society and Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, and Beyond Blue.

Preventable Deaths among Men 

On an average, men die 6 years earlier than women and most of these deaths are due to preventable factors.  Movember Foundation unites experts from around the world for supporting men’s health. The funding of the Foundation is mainly dedicated to the three biggest health issues facing men – prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health. 

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in men. Unchecked, prostate cancer rates can double over the next 15 years. About 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Although it’s common, it normally doesn’t progress to clinical disease. 

Testicular cancer rates have already doubled in the last 50 years. It usually affects patients in the age range of 15-40. Testicular cancer is more aggressive than prostate so identifying early on is important.  

Across the world, one man dies by suicide every minute of every day. Males account for 75% of all suicides. Depression is affecting men’s health, yet sadly, it is highly overlooked. Men suffering from depression are four times more likely to commit suicide than women. 

Men usually tend to keep their physical and mental difficulties to themselves. It so happens that silence is often associated with bravery and manliness. However, the moustache reminds us that true bravery is being aware of the risks and tackling the disease.  Early detection of diseases can guarantee successful treatment. 

Movember has been able to raise the awareness and trigger early detection of diseases thereby preventing many a deaths. Movember symbolizes the catapulting effect of a simple, yet noble thought. 

At the end of the Movember the moustaches are shaved. Movember parties are often held to celebrate the big shaving event. 

Ladies can support their Mo Bros by helping to get sponsorship for their Mo-growing efforts.