It’s “Movember,” time for men to raise awareness about testicular and prostate cancer and such men’s health issues as depression.
Starting November 1, men stopped shaving to put the spotlight on men’s cancers and health problems as part of Movember, a global movement that started a decade ago in a Melbourne, Australia pub and is now celebrated by groups in the United States, Canada and elsewhere. UMHS even has its own “Movember” team, the Modocs and 21 members have been recruited so far.
As Ronnie May writes on the UMHS Modocs’ MoSpace, “The rules are easy. Nothing but mustaches for the next month and no shaving between the nose and the upper lip. Also remember to remind people why you're growing the stash and send them to this site to donate for men's health! Last year two of us raised $1000, this year let's blow that out of the water. Grow on.”
Movember official rules state that all Mo Bros (male participants), once registered at Movember.com, “must begin clean-shaven on the 1st of November (no beards, no goatees) for the 30 days of November.”
SOLIDARITY FOR MEN'S HEALTH: Women can help men break down barriers & talk about their health. Photo: Movember.com
Even women (called Mo Sistas) can get involved by supporting Mo Bros and encouraging all guys to “have an important role in helping men to break down barriers and talk about their health,” the Movember site says. .”They are key to encouraging Mo Bros to share their own health journeys with each other and their health care professionals. A smile of recognition, a knowing wink or a kind word of encouragement from a Mo Sista can go a long way in helping a Mo Bro as he navigates the month of Movember.”
Following is a look at three men’s health issues on which Movember focuses.
Testicular Cancer: Occurs Most in Men 39 & Under
Younger men are most susceptible to testicular cancer. The Testicular Cancer Awareness Project’s website lists some surprising facts about the disease:
- Over 8,000 cases of testicular cancer are diagnosed each year.
- Testicular cancer rate has more than doubled among white men in the past 40 years.
- Testicular cancer can be treated if it is detected early.
- Over 90% of early detected testicular cancer patients can be cured in a single treatment.
- The risk of testicular cancer among white men is about 5 times that of black men, and more than 3 times that of Asian Americans.
Self-Exams for Men
The American Cancer Society has simple guidelines for self-exams.
The best time to do the self-exam is during or after a bath or shower, when the skin of the scrotum is relaxed. To do a testicular self-exam:
- Hold your penis out of the way and check one testicle at a time.
- Hold the testicle between your thumbs and fingers of both hands and roll it gently between your fingers.
- Look and feel for any hard lumps or smooth rounded bumps or any change in the size, shape, or consistency of the testes.
“You should know that each normal testis has an epididymis, which feels like a small ‘bump’ on the upper or middle outer side of the testis,” the American Cancer Society says. “Normal testicles also contain blood vessels, supporting tissues, and tubes that conduct sperm. Other non-cancerous problems, such as hydroceles and varicoceles, can sometimes cause swellings or lumps around a testicle. It's easy to confuse these with cancer. If you have any doubts, see a doctor.”
Prostate Cancer: Alarming Facts
The Prostate Cancer Foundation’s website says prostate is the most common non-skin cancer in the U.S., affecting 1 in 6 men.
“In 2013, more than 238,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and more than 30,000 men will die from the disease,” the website says. “One new case occurs every 2.2 minutes and a man dies from prostate cancer every 17.5 minutes. It is estimated that there are more than 2.5 million American men currently living with prostate cancer."
Statistics say men are 35% more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than a woman is to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
Depression is a Guy Thing, Too
Men suffer from depression just like women, but often refuse to do anything about it. In addition, depression affects men differently and they often use different coping methods (healthy and unhealthy), and it often goes unnoticed and undiagnosed, the Mayo Clinic says.
The Mayo Clinic website lists some of the warning signs of depression in men:
- Escapist behavior, such as spending a lot of time at work or on sports
- Alcohol or substance abuse
- Controlling, violent or abusive behavior
- Irritability or inappropriate anger
- Risky behavior, such as reckless driving
Men who experience any of the above symptoms and feel they may be suffering from depression should consult a doctor immediately.
(Top photo) MOVEMBER FOR MEN’S HEALTH: Guys are growing moustaches throughout November to raise awareness & funds for men’s cancers & health issues. Photo: Movember.com
About UMHS:
Built in the tradition of the best US universities, the University of Medicine and Health Sciencesfocuses on individual student attention, maintaining small class sizes and recruiting high-quality faculty. We call this unique approach, “personalized medical education,” and it’s what has led to our unprecedented 96% student retention rate, and outstanding residency placements across the US and Canada.
Scott is Director of Digital Content & Alumni Communications Liaison at UMHS and editor of the UMHS Endeavour blog. When he's not writing about UMHS students, faculty, events, public health, alumni and UMHS research, he writes and edits Broadway theater reviews for a website he publishes in New York City, StageZine.com.
