Movember: Moustaches for a cause

What's the story with Movember?
Men are encouraged to grow a moustache in November to raise awareness about men's health issues often kept silent (by men themselves). Movember's mission is aimed at raising awareness of prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide. The Movember Foundation started in Australia in 2003 with the intention of bringing awareness to prostate cancer. Thirty bros grew moustaches and found it was an amazing tool to start a conversation. Today, Movember promotes and raises awareness of men's health issues in a month long event across several countries. 

What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate gland. The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped structure that makes up part of a man's reproductive system. 

Can you prevent prostate cancer?
Talk with your provider about ways to lower your risk of prostate cancer. These may include lifestyle measures, such as diet and exercise. There are no medicines approved by the FDA for preventing prostate cancer. 

How can you find out if you have prostate cancer?

• delayed or slowed start of urinary stream
• dribbling or leakage of urine, most often after urinating
• slow urinary stream
• straining when urinating, or not being able to empty all of the urine
• blood in the urine or semen

What do you do if your prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is elevated?
If your PSA result is above the normal or expected range, your provider will likely begin what is referred to as an "informed decision-making" discussion. This conversation should include information covering your concerns, what your risks are, what monitoring or treatment options are available to you and how to approach making a decision about your health. 

The best advice is for men to have a primary care provider they can see for their wellness, illness prevention and disease treatment. Find a provider near you.