It’s Movember!

October was dedicated to increasing awareness against cancer, especially breast cancer because of all forms of the disease, it claims the most female lives. The awareness should definitely continue beyond October so ladies (and men) do continue to self-examine regularly as 80% of breast cancer tumours are actually self detected. This brings us to November, a.k.a: Movember. The month dedicated to increasing awareness about prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.

Why Movember?

Initiated in South Africa in 2003, Movemeber began when it came to notice that men die an average of 6 years younger than women; and for reasons that are mostly preventable- staggering! As far as the numbers are concerned, estimates gauge that prostate cancer rates will double over the next 15 years. Unfortunately, testicular cancer rates have already doubled in the last 50 years globally. One man dies by suicide every minute daily, and males accounting for 60% of all suicides. Thus the Movember Foundation was established and through a variety of awareness campaigns, fundraisers and projects, Movember has grown into a global movement of proactive men (Mo Bros) and women (Mo Sisters) who feel strongly about supporting men’s mental and physical health.

Movember 2020

COVID-19 looks like it’s here to stay and with it, disruption and unpredictable restrictions to movements. However, Movember and the movement still stand and there are three main

ways of supporting. The first option is to grow a moustache (a.k.a: your “fur ribbon”). Yes, wearing masks is compulsory but growing your moustache is still a very viable option. Considering that we mostly live online and indoors these days, it’s most likely that it’s still only the top half of you that looks presentable for all those video calls. So if we’re honest, it’s a relief to be off the hook where facial hair is concerned for the month. So yes, growing that facial hair is still a very viable option. Bringing us to option two: hook your fitness tracker to “Move for Movember” and sign up to run or walk 60km for the month in tribute to the 60 male lives lost each hour worldwide. Option three is to host a “Mo-ment”, or fun event (virtual or otherwise) to fundraise for the cause. Irrespective of what you opt for, one or all three, the priorities to examine your body, be active and pay keen attention to your mental health are always paramount.

Edited: 07 November 2020.

Images: Courtesy of za.movember.com