November Moustache Month
Let’s change the face of men’s health…
The power of the humble moustache and men’s health.
When was the last time you got checked for prostate or testicular cancer? This month is November, and it’s a great time to get a conversation going surrounding men’s health. To help spread awareness, we have created a special November coaster, with 10% of the sales being donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
In this blog we want to start an open conversation about changing the face of men’s health. It might be confronting but these are the cold hard sobering facts.
Start reading and don’t stop until you get to the end of this article!
Top 3 life saving facts you need to know:
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer occurs in the prostate gland, which is the organ which creates semen. When some of the cells produce more rapidly than normal, a tumour grows. This can spread to other parts of the body, producing secondary tumours.
Sometimes men can have no symptoms, which is why it is so important to get a regular check up with your doctor. If you detect it early, there is 98% chance of living longer than five years, but only a 26% chance if detected late. However at 50 years, you need to talk with your doctor about getting tested, as the risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age. All you need to do is get a blood test.
What is testicular cancer?
You may be younger? – you’re going to want to think about testicular cancer, as this is the most common type of cancer in young men. The testicles are responsible for producing hormones and sperm. The most common type is a germ cell tumour, which are the cells that produce sperm. You should check regularly, and if something feels off, go and see a doctor. When detected early, it is easily treatable and curable. You can be tested with an ultrasound or a blood test.
Don’t be afraid to speak up and go to the doctor. ‘Harvee’ brushed off a pain in his testicle as a footie injury, but when it was still sore a couple days later, he decided to go to the doctor. He almost didn’t go to the appointment because of busy work commitments, and disregarded the possibility of cancer, thinking ‘it could never happen to me’. Yet last minute he decided to go to the appointment. Later that day he was having surgery and needed to start chemo.
Mental health too?
Not only are men at risk for prostate and testicular cancer, it’s important to remember that mental health problems are extremely prevalent across men too. Half of Australian men have had a mental health problem at some point in their lives, and 75% of suicides are men. This is a serious issue. Most people say they would be uncomfortable asking their friends for help, even if those friends would say they would be there for them if they needed it. This means we need to get rid of the stigma surrounding mental health. Take the time to catch up with your mates, and try to have open conversations. You could save a life by just being there for someone and taking the time to listen.
What can you do to help?
- sign up at au.movember.com
- Shave on November 1
- You don’t have to grow a moustache, you can get involved by running or walking 60 km over the month, or host a ‘mo-ment’ with your mates! Check out au.movember.com for more information.
And if you or your team are participating in November, remember to order some November coasters to help spread awareness!
History Behind the Moustache
So they are the facts…… On a lighter note do you know where and when this movement started?
1999: a group of young men in Adelaide, South Australia coined the term “Movember” with the idea of growing moustaches for charity throughout the month of November. The group started with 80 men from Adelaide and soon became a nationwide phenomenon.
2004: an unrelated group in Melbourne, Victoria organised an event where 30 men would grow a moustache for 30 days in order to raise awareness for prostate cancer and depression in men. This group later became the Movember Foundation charity.
The Movember Foundation has since raised $174-million worldwide.
At Promotional Drink Coasters we are a husband and wife team. But we are so much more than that. Not just a husband and wife. A father, mother, brother, sister, an uncle, aunt, a cousin, friend, work colleague. Only two people but we are connected to many by a thread. If you are still reading this – WHAT IS YOUR THREAD?
We have three beautiful children who have grown into three strong young men. I want them to know it is ok to speak up and seek help when they are at their most vulnerable. It takes courage and makes you a stronger person.
Remember, cancer is an ugly monster. It has no boundaries and no prejudices. We are all in this together. We need the attitude and mind set of a warrior to beat it. We can all be warriors and remember it takes ballz to talk about it!
Source: https://au.movember.com