Grow a mo and save a bro

November is in full swing and if you haven’t started to get creative with your mo, you are in trouble. Every year, thousands of men worldwide participate in the Movember challenge of growing a moustache for 30 days in support of men’s health.

The main focus areas for Movember are testicular and prostate cancer as well as mental health awareness. We often just ignore something in the hopes that it goes away, but chances are that by ignoring something small it can turn into something really serious.

So, what should you do to take the right steps to live a healthier life?

• Speak to your loved ones. As busy as life gets, you need to always make time for your loved ones. This is not only beneficial for you, but for them as well.
• If something is bothering you, speak about it, don’t bottle it up. If you lose your job, are having financial trouble, broke up with your girlfriend or about to become a father, no one can carry all these worries on their own.
• Stay active, you don’t have to run 10km every day, but you need to do something – go for a walk, play Ping-Pong as long as you do something.
• Find out about your family history. If a direct family member had a specific type of disease, for example, cancer, diabetes or heart disease, you are at high risk for a similar disease.
• No one knows your body as well as you do, so if you notice something is wrong, see a doctor. Early detection can save your life.

What do you need to know about prostate cancer?

• 1 in 23 South African men will suffer from prostate cancer.
• On average 5 men die in South Africa every day due to prostate cancer.
• Not all men show symptoms, which is why you need to get tested regularly.
• If you experience any of the following, you need to see your doctor immediately.
  • A frequent need to urinate.
  • Difficulty to start urinating.
  • Weak or interrupted urine flow.
  • Pain or burning sensation while urinating.
  • Difficulty having an erection.
  • Painful ejaculation.
  • Blood in semen or urine.
  • Pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips or upper thighs.

What you should know about testicular cancer.

• If diagnosed early, it can be treated.
• It is the most common cancer in young men between 15 and 39 years of age.
• Do a regular self-examination, to test for abnormalities, such as:
  • a swelling or lump in testicles.
  • pain when handling testicles.
  • they feel heavier than usual.
  • they’ve changed shape.
  • pain in the groin area.
• If anything feels out of the ordinary, you need to see a doctor.

Looking after your mental health.

• It’s been found that every year 510 000 men globally commit suicide, that is a death every minute.
• Take care of your overall health and wellbeing.
• Speak to your loved ones or seek the help of a professional – never suffer alone.
• Find hobbies or activities you enjoy, and make time for them.
• Spend time with your friends.
• If you notice that you feel irritable, hopeless or worthless and act aggressively, seek isolation and are drinking more than usual, you need to reassess certain areas in your life.

There is no need for anyone to suffer in silence – speak up and start taking care of your health today. Visit Movember for more information or to donate to this worthy cause.

Information sources: Movember